Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent, Belgium

ORIENT EXPRESSIONS
Their mix of traditional Turkish folk and electronica and beats has made Orient Expressions the talk of their hometown Istanbul. DJ Yakuza (Can Utkan) and sound artist Murat Uncuoğlu cook up songs coloured in by horns and traditional instruments such as the bağlama and the oud. Add to that singer Adile Yadirgi’s angelic voice and you get a perfectly enchanting whole. Orient Expressions has had its share of musical adventures: they have played with Turkish artists such as Mercan Dede and Husnu Senlendirici, while also collaborating with British punk jazz band Pest. On top of that, the band was featured in Crossing the Bridge, a music documentary by Faith Akin, director of the award-winning film Gegen die Wand, and Alexander Hacke (Einstürzende Neubauten).

AYBEN
Rapping is not just for tough guys with gold chains. Ayben, popular rapper Ceza’s little sister, has got rapping talent to spare. She showcases her talent with vocal contributions on his albums and on her new debut album Sensin O. She goes solo with the help of creative producers and musical guests and raps to reggae rhythms, hard rock riffs and Arabian melodies. Her provocative lyrics are refreshingly frank. Sometimes she’s angry, at other times she’s fragile, but she’s always optimistic. Her brother Ceza faces stiff competition!