A 70s and 80s star who fused traditional Arab melodies with synth-pop, groove, disco and funk – building a borderless musical identity all his own. With his unique blend of Western sounds and North African folk instruments, he’s become a favourite of David Byrne and Bat For Lashes.

Ahmed Fakroun was born in 1953 in Benghazi, Libya. Following the US airstrikes in 1986, the international sanctions imposed on Libya severely restricted the freedoms of its people. As a result, Fakroun had to live abroad throughout the 1970s and 1980s. During his years in Paris, he developed an interest in Europop and French art rock. By the time he released his seventh album, Mots d’Amour, in the mid-1980s, he was preparing to make a strong mark on the global music scene. The album drew comparisons to Talking Heads, and his song ‘Soleil Soleil’ brought him widespread fame across Europe. The success of the track was in large part thanks to its iconoclastic video clip, directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, who would later collaborate with artists such as Björk, David Bowie, and Prince. Over the past decade, some of Fakroun’s earlier songs have been rediscovered by DJs and record labels, remixed anonymously and re-released. Now enjoying a second wave of recognition under the spotlight, Ahmed Fakroun is dancing once again with a new generation of listeners at festivals like Dekmantel and Le Guess Who, and making sure not to skip a stop at Salon.

A journey that’s both vibrant and serene, true to its roots.

Tickets: 750 TL, Eczacıbaşı Youth Ticket: 30 TL

Priority sales for Tulip Card members: 12 August Tuesday, 10.30
General sales: 13 August Wednesday, 10.30

Mastercard® holders enjoy 25% off Salon İKSV tickets purchased on Wednesdays.

Doors open: 21.00
Concert: 22.00

This event is 18+ only.