|
A sizeable crowd filled the spacious Ghetto in Istanbul's hip Beyoğlu district for a late Friday night gig from one of the city's premier underground acts, Replikas. Formed in 1993, the band have toured throughout Turkey and Europe and have shared stages with the likes of Sonic Youth and Mogwai. Opening with a pair of tunes from 2008's "Zerre," "Bitti Deme" and "Bugün Varım Yarın Yokum," the quintet turned in a top-notch, musically diverse performance that seamlessly mixed different subgenres as attendees shouted their approval. Elements of post-rock, prog, art-metal, and alt-rock surfaced in many of the 21 cuts presented as the band flaunted the fantastic showmanship and prowess that has earned them the title of pioneers in the Turkish rock scene. 
Videos and images were projected behind the group and also on the two side walls of the club creating a real cool effect as the audience were almost completely surrounded by what was unfolding on the stage. While the extra visuals heightened the experience, everyone's main focus was on the five players turning out the tight, avant-garde jams. Armed with a laptop, a synthesizer, and a few other sonic toys Burak Tamer added layers of atmospheric noise to much of Replikas' material. Orçun Bastürk was relentless as he beat on his drum kit. The most animated member, guitarist Barkin Engin was all smiles as he cranked out chords alongside vocalist and guitarist Gökçe Akçelik.Performing nearly all of "Zerre," 2005's "Avaz" and 2002's "Dadaruhi" were also heavily represented with well-lubed audience members huddled near the stage eagerly singing and dancing to their favourites from Replikas' back catalogue. Taking the adoration in stride, the band offered a simple thanks between each song and paused to take a sip of Efes beer before launching into the next awesome song. 
It may have been half-past one in the morning when the group finished, but the crowd was far from ready to go home. Chants of "Replikas" brought the guys out for a two-song encore that capped off a stellar showing.-- set list -- INTRO - BİTTİ DEME / BUGÛ N VARIM YARIN YOKUM / İSİMSİZLER / SDC / BOZUK DÛ ZEN / DELİ HALAYI 2/ 0-1 / BENDEN YÛ KSEK / BAHARINTRO - ZERRE / Ş / GÛ LMEDİĞ İN GÛ NLER / VAKT-İ KERAHAT / KARABASANGECE KADAR RAHATSIZ ETMİYOR / ZİFT / DAYAN / RUH FEZA / EKSİK / ÖMÛ R SAYACI / HORTUM |
| report and photos by shawn |
 Mag files : Replikas Turkish Delight (09/12/11 @ Ghetto, Istanbul) : review and photos by shawn |
|
The official site
Replikas http://www.replikas.com/ check 'em? --> MySpace / iTunes The latest album  "Zerre" (iTunes)
|
previous works
"Avaz" (iTunes)
"Dadaruhi" (iTunes) "Crossing the Bridge (The Sound of Istanbul)[compilation]" (国内盤 / UK import / iTunes) ...and more check the albums? |
 2009Turkish Delight : Replikas (11th Dec @ Ghetto, Istanbul)CD review : Relax : Cocore (8th Dec.)Firing On All Cylinders : Gumx (15th Aug @ Jamsil Sports Complex, Seoul)A Healthy Dose Of Rock From The ROK : Crying Nut and more (30th May @ Olympic Stadium, Seoul)The Maestro : Ennio Morricone (27th May @ Olympic Park Gymnasium, Seoul)Give Yourselves A Round Of Applause : Travis (1st Mar. @ Olympic Hall, Seoul)Korean Punk Royalty : Gumx (28th Feb. @ Sang Sang Madang Live Hall, Seoul)Nothing Short Of Legendary : The Roots (21st Jan. @ Melon-AX, Seoul)2008Day Three - Still More Minty Goodness To Be Had : Grand Mint Festival feat. Orgeltanz, Sun Stroke, Starry-Eyed, Loro and more (17th to 19th Oct. @ Olympic Park, Seoul)Rock And Roll All Nite : Judas Priest (21st Sept. @ Olympic Gymnasium, Seoul)Better Late... : Envy, Bulssazo (18th Jul. @ Rolling Hall, Seoul)Clubbin' It By The River : Cocore, Kyoto Jazz Massive, and Hollow Jan in Next Floor 08 (28th Jun. @ Hangang Park, Seoul)Music Is A Universal Language : Tenniscoats with Vidulgi Ooyoo (7th Jun. @ Liveclub Ssam, Seoul)This Is Music : Love Camp 2008 feat. Oriental Lucy, The Plastic Day, Sagitta, Yukie Sato and more (31st May. @ in Hong Chon, Kangwon-do, Korea)Fuck Being Rock Stars : Bulssazo (24th May. @ Bowie, Seoul)Rocking Out In Style : The Moonshiners (16th May. @ 500, Seoul)Classy Digs + Awesome Acts = Memorable Night : Oriental Lucy with The Plastic Day, Sagitta (26th Apr. @ 500, Seoul)Saturday Night Fever : Gumx (15th Mar. @ Club Spot, Seoul)Next Stop: New Orleans : Harry Conick Jr. (13th Mar. @ Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Seoul)On Fire : The Rocktigers (9th Mar. @ Sangsang Madang Live Hall, Seoul)Get The Party Started : Cocore (29th Feb. @ Club DGBD, Seoul)Out Of This World : Björk (19th Feb. @ Olympic Hall, Seoul)No Rust On This Machine : Rage Against The Machine (9th Feb. @ Makuhari Messe Kokusai Tenjijo)A Cause For Dance : The Afet Collective (8th Feb. @ Harajuku Studio Cafe)Music Makes The Perfect Gift : Swinging Popsicle (26th Jan. @ Baekam Art Hall, Seoul)At The (Co) Core, It's Still Rock N' Roll : Cocore (19th Jan. @ Blue Spirit, Seoul)Good Ol' Fashioned Hardcore Workout : Terror and The Geeks (5th Jan. @ Skunk Hell, Seoul)-->...and more |