Rappers Sagopa Kajmer and maNga took the stage at the Istanbul Festival, organized by Focus Istanbul Etkinlik Yonetimi, as it kicked off its fifth edition this year.
At the first concert of the festival, held at Yenikapi Festival Park, Sagopa Kajmer, one of the beloved names in Turkish rap music, performed his popular songs together with the audience, including "Baytar," "Terapi," "Neyse," "366. Gun" and "Golge Haramileri."
At the concert, which drew intense interest, Kajmer told the crowd from the stage: "I know I have longtime listeners here, and there are new ones among you too; I'm sending love to all of you." The first concert, during which the audience sang along to the songs, lasted an hour and a half.
Afterward, the group maNga took the stage at the festival and came together with their fans. The group, which plays alternative rock, nu-metal and rapcore, performed their popular songs. The music band maNga had brought Türkiye second place at Eurovision 2010 with the song "We Could Be the Same."
The Istanbul Festival will continue with performances by Dolu Kadehi Ters Tut and Mor ve Otesi, followed by a concert from Tiesto on Aug. 8. Semicenk and Yildiz Tilbe will take the stage on Aug. 9, Edis and Gulsen on Aug. 11, and Hande Yener and Levent Yuksel on Aug. 12.
As part of the program, Dedubluman and Duman will perform on Aug. 13, South Korean artists Kwon Eun-bi and ATEEZ on Aug. 14, and Sunmi and Monsta X on Aug. 15. The festival will close on Aug. 16 with performances by Hadise and Argy.
In addition to the concerts, the festival features performances by young musicians, DJ sets, dance shows, talks and various sports activities.
The 3x3 Basketball Area also brings sports and entertainment together on the same grounds with tournaments, exhibition matches, competitions and surprise activations.
Supported by brand experience areas, entertainment zones dedicated to children, and a wide range of food and dining options, the Istanbul Festival brings music, sports, entertainment and cuisine together under one roof.
The Istanbul Festival stage, designed with inspiration drawn from architect Mimar Sinan's structural engineering approach and arch geometry, spans approximately 70 meters (230 feet) in width and 28 meters in height, and features a 1,300-square-meter LED screen surface, 800 moving light fixtures and a line-array sound system made up of 176 units, offering an impressive visual and audio experience that meets international concert standards.