Few cities sing the way Istanbul does. From late‑night jazz on the Bosphorus to indie showcases in back‑street Kadıköy bars, the city’s music scene is a thrilling crossroads where East meets West and tradition flirts with tomorrow. On any given night you can slip from thumping techno in a converted hamam to a saz‑led folk set under Galata’s silhouette. That restless energy makes Istanbul a dream stop for touring artists and on Friday, May 23, 2025, it welcomes one of indie’s most haunting voices: Tamino.
The Belgian‑Egyptian singer‑songwriter returns to town just as his third album, Every Dawn’s a Mountain, begins to glow on the horizon. Backed by the sweeping single “Sanctuary” (featuring Mitski), Tamino will fill KüçükÇiftlik Park with the same smoky baritone and shimmering falsetto that once lit up NPR’s Tiny Desk. If you’re craving a night where oud lines entwine with alt‑rock moods, and where heartbreak sounds strangely hopeful; Istanbul has your ticket.
Who Is Tamino?
Istanbul has hosted many amazing names and the concerts in Istanbul are magical all the time! Tamino‑Amir Moharam Fouad, known simply as Tamino, is a Belgian‑Egyptian singer‑songwriter praised for a three‑octave range that slips from grainy baritone to shimmering falsetto. Born in Antwerp in 1996 to a Belgian mother and an Egyptian father, he grew up on a steady diet of The Beatles, Chopin and the golden‑age Arabic ballads of his grandfather, movie‑star crooner Muharram Fouad.
He emerged with the self‑titled Tamino EP (2017), broke internationally on the lush debut album Amir (2018) and cemented his cult following with Sahar (2022). NPR called his Tiny Desk set “one of the most remarkable voices ever to grace the series,” and Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood has since joined his touring band. May 2025 in Istanbul is the perfect time and place to listen to this remarkable voice!
Now based partly in New York, Tamino channels oud‑framed arrangements and indie‑rock atmospherics into his new record *Every Dawn’s a Mountain (March 21 2025). Lead single “Sanctuary,” a duet with Mitski, hints at an album steeped in themes of loss, exile and renewal, exactly the emotional palette he’ll bring to Istanbul this May.
The Concert: Istanbul Gets Intimate with Tamino
Date & venue: Circle Friday, May 23 2025 and head to KüçükÇiftlik Park, the leafy open‑air hub tucked behind Besiktas Stadium which also hosts a museum. Doors open at 19:00; Tamino is slated to take the stage around 21:30, turning the spring night into a slow‑burn soundtrack of oud lines, baritone sighs and falsetto bursts.
What you’ll hear: Expect a set that threads early favorites like “Habibi” and “Indigo Night” into fresh cuts from the upcoming album Every Dawn’s a Mountain. Lead single “Sanctuary” (a Mitski duet on record) is almost certain to surface, along with new songs steeped in exile, rebirth and smoky‑stringed grandeur. If past shows are a clue, Tamino’s three‑piece band will trade electric guitar for oud midway, letting Arabic scales swirl over Radiohead‑leaning grooves.
Special guest: Istanbul‑based neo‑classical pianist Beyza Kayıkçı opens the evening, easing the crowd in with minimalist keys and looping textures before Tamino’s first breath even lands.
Who’s behind it: The night is powered by local promoter Epifoni with support from culture sponsor +1, the same pairing that’s recently brought Arctic Monkeys and Nick Cave to town, proof the booking is in good hands.
Practical bits: Tickets are moving fast on Biletix and other outlets; snag yours early to dodge resale mark‑ups. KüçükÇiftlik Park is cashless inside, and the bars cut off alcohol sales for under‑18s (wristbands are color‑coded). Minors must enter with a parent, and children under 12 aren’t admitted, so plan babysitters now.
In short: Spring air, lantern‑lit trees, and a voice that can hush 17,000 people at a whisper, this is one of those Istanbul nights you’ll still feel echoing when the ferries start running at dawn.
Make It a 48‑Hour City‑Break with Istanbul Tourist Pass®
If Tamino lures you to town for one glorious night, squeeze the rest of Istanbul into the daylight hours with a 2‑Day Istanbul Tourist Pass® a single digital sightseeing pass that unlocks 100+ attractions, skip-the-ticket lines and guided tours while saving you roughly 50 percent on gate prices. The pass lives in an easy mobile app, includes instant WhatsApp help, a free 5 GB e‑SIM and even a one‑way airport shuttle so you can hit the streets sooner.
Day 1 – Old‑City Icons & a Sunset Sail
Morning: Hagia Sophia skip the 60‑min queue and go directly to the security check, then stroll straight to the subterranean Basilica Cistern’s Medusa heads.
Lunch: Kebab plate & ayran on a rooftop facing the Blue Mosque free to enter between prayer times.
Afternoon: Topkapı Palace hosted entry; linger in the Harem before walking through Gülhane Park to the Grand Bazaar for souvenir haggling.
Evening: Board the Bosphorus sunset cruise included with your pass. Sip Turkish tea while palace lights flicker from Europe to Asia.
Day 2 – Palaces, Towers & the Asian Shore
Morning: Beat the crowds at Dolmabahçe Palace with your QR ticket, then ride the nostalgic tram up İstiklal Caddesi.
Lunch: Karaköy fish sandwich or get your FREE meze plate under the Galata Bridge; quick, fresh, local.
Afternoon: Flash your QR code to skip the line at Galata Tower for a 360° view, then hop a commuter ferry to wander to Maiden’s Tower lookout and cafe‑hop along the shore.
Evening: Ride to Çamlıca Tower or watch the skyline from Kadıköy’s bar scene before catching a late Metro or taxi back across the bridge.
Why the Pass Beats Pay‑As‑You‑Go
- Skip‑the‑Line Power: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, Galata Tower and more, all without the ticket window shuffle.
- Built‑In Audio Guides: You will get a rich library of audio guides for FREE you’d pay extra for elsewhere.
- Bonus Bits: Amazing local services including FREE e‑SIM data, airport shuttle and flexible activation (it only starts counting on your first scan).
- Tip: Choose the 2‑Day option at checkout, time your first scan for the morning of May 22, and the pass stays live through the Tamino show on May 23, perfect symmetry between sightseeing and singing.
Ready to dive in? Grab your Istanbul Tourist Pass® here and let Istanbul unfold as effortlessly as a Tamino falsetto.
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