One Love Festival has been a constant in Istanbul’s summer festival scene for over 15 years – one of the key players in a golden era of attracting artists from around the world to come perform in Turkey. Their extensive catalog includes the likes of Peter Gabriel, Morrissey, Manic Street Preachers, M83, James Blake, Jose Gonzales, The Black Eyed Peas, Groove Armada, Cake, Hot Chip, Basement Jaxx and well over a hundred others. As other festivals came and fizzled out, One Love continued to expand with offerings that included everything from acoustic folk, to indie rock, to jazz, to hip-hop, to EDM and beyond. In doing so, they’ve continued to bring together music lovers from all ages and backgrounds. With the rise of electronic’s domination in the Istanbul circuit, One Love was also a last beacon of a certain type of more traditional festival experience. So, among the chaos that framed Turkey’s 2016, it was certainly disappointing (but not unexpected) that the festival was cancelled that summer.
What did surprise, was that One Love didn’t return the following year, or the one after that. From an outsider’s perspective, 2015 had been such a mammoth success, arguably one of the finest outdoor festivals the city had seen in quite some time – with headliners like James Blake and Tom Odell putting in iconic performances that are still referenced with quite some regularity. It seemed unusual that they wouldn’t build on that momentum, with plenty of discussion on social media in the two years that followed as to why the series was cancelled outright. So in the early months of 2019 when the media channels for One Love started to make moves, it was a bit of a shock but most certainly welcomed news. Turkey’s most well-known entertainment agency Pozitif had stepped in to take the mantle and breathe life into the festival once again.
Thus, the return of One Love Festival 15 allows for a reconnecting with Istanbul’s true festival roots, calling back to a time where different stages heralded vastly different genres and experiences. It’s a return to the joys of watching a full band dazzle with their instrumental talents, to the memorable choreography of an experienced pop performer, to MCs joining the crowd as they chant a chorus, to special appearances from other artists during a set, to the sing-a-longs that bring everyone just a bit closer together.
While staying true to its origin story, this year’s One Love Festival 15 also adapts to both the ever-increasing logistical restrictions placed on festivals here and the music community’s increasing devotion to EDM. Kicking off at the green, expansive festival grounds of Parkorman, attendees will be able to enjoy the daylight and early evening with plenty of stages to choose from – some tucked away under the cover of trees and nature, and others in the open air. Once midnight rolls around, Volkswagen Arena will enter the equation, most likely offering late-night revelers the big name DJs on the billing. Taking place on Saturday 20 July, the fun on the day kicks off at noon, with tickets granting entry to both venues and still affordably priced via Biletix.
As we prepare for the occasion, we thought it wise to preview some of our favorites in this year’s program:
The Blaze
Deserving headliners The Blaze are French duo Guillaume Alric and Jonathan Alric, who have quickly gained fame over the past three years through their stunning intertwining of DJ and video elements. While their music could make an individual case for itself, it’s their carefully crafted videos that give them a life of their own. Territory is a prime example, with its intriguing premise punctuated by moments of perfectly synced visual and audio that come to mind on every future listen of the track. Having performed at international festivals such as Coachella, Primavera Sound, Lollapalooza, and Pitchfork Paris, the duo make a compelling case for themselves as the must-see act of this year’s One Love.
Years&Years
Synth/Electro-pop outfit Years&Years is exactly the type of vibe we’ve been missing at festivals here in recent years. Active since 2010, they really hit their stride in 2015 with the release of their debut album Communion that topped UK charts and gained serious international exposure. Last year they dropped their sophomore effort Palo Santo, a concept album focused on the relationship between androids and humans. They’re sure to have one of the most diverse fan-bases this year, and it’d be a safe pick for the most beloved.
Michael Kiwanuka
A bit of indie, a bit of folk, Michael Kiwanuka is one of this year’s most captivating performers. Fans of Big Little Lies, The Get Down, or Grace & Frankie will be especially familiar with his talents in crafting memorable tunes that are both cinematic and grand, while being closely personal. His two albums, Home Again and Love & Hate have earned him a dedicated following, as well as plenty of awards to round things off. Expect this to be an intimate affair.
Ezhel
If you’ve been living in Istanbul in recent years, you’ll likely be familiar with the emphatic rise of hip-hop’s Ezhel. If not for his music, then perhaps for his time under arrest, which prompted the widespread #FreeEzhel campaign and grabbed international headlines. Regardless if you’re able to understand the rapper’s vocals or not, fans of trap, hip-hop, and reggae will find something to covet here. His hit song Geceler has been streamed on Spotify over 40 million times… so if you’re a fan of singalongs, we strongly suggest you go and learn it because it’s certain to be the biggest one of the festival.
Gaye Su Akyol
Gaye Su Akyol first appeared on our radar in 2016 when Pitchfork hailed her Hologram İmparatorluğu album as a mix of ‘Turkish modes and scales with grunge, surf rock, and psychedelia’. She’s continued to impress, with her follow-up İstikrarlı Hayal Hakikattir expanding on her talents and cementing herself as an idyllic fusion of Turkish folk and the contemporary music scene’s love for indie rock.
The Black Madonna
Adding some legitimate old-school credence to a line-up is important in a festival, and Kentucky’s The Black Madonna is here to do just that – from her early involvement in her local underground scene in the 1990s to her rise through the ranks as one of the most capable turntable talents in the game today. Veterans of electronic won’t want to miss out on her uplifting blends of house, disco, techno, and everything else far and wide. Safe to say this is bound to be a euphoric experience.
Oh Land
Danish singer-songwriter Oh Land is no stranger to performing in Istanbul and has appropriately cultivated a dedicated following. Active since 2008, she continues to build a discography that is warm and haunting, memorable and intimate. On the cusp of a new release, her first studio effort in half a decade, you can expect this year’s performance to be an especially revealing and personal encounter with the artist.
Of course, there’s plenty more to get excited about so do check out the full billing and explore via the official site for One Love Festival 15.
Are there any other performers you’re particularly excited for at this year’s One Love Festival 15? Let us know in the comments!
