Just like every year, Istanbul is bursting with culture and art this April. From concerts to theater performances, countless events are bringing art lovers together all across the city. If you're passionate about music and performing arts and want to dive into the city's vibrant cultural atmosphere this spring, you won't want to miss the events happening in Istanbul this April. With a wide range of performances by both Turkish and international artists, this event calendar should be at the top of your list of things to do in Istanbul!

One of the most exciting bands in the alternative rock scene, Palaye Royale is set to meet their fans in Istanbul. Known for hits like “Lonely”, “Mr. Doctor Man”, “No Love in LA”, and “Dying in a Hot Tub”, the band invites listeners on an electrifying musical journey with their latest album *Death or Glory*.

Led by Canadian musician Taylor Kirk, Timber Timbre is set to crown their impressive 20-year career with a concert in Istanbul. Known for their enchanting and dark tones, the group will perform iconic tracks like “Magic Arrow” and “Lovage” in a cinematic atmosphere, promising an unforgettable night for all attendees.

Legendary Belgian group Hooverphonic is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their iconic album *The Magnificent Tree* with a special performance on April 12 at Zorlu PSM Turkcell Stage. Accompanied by a four-piece string orchestra, they will perform unforgettable tracks like “Mad About You”, “2Wicky”, and “Eden”, creating a magical evening in Istanbul with their unique style.

Canadian indie R&B artist Katie Tupper is set to perform at %100 Studio on April 18. Nominated for “Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year” at the 2024 JUNO Awards, Tupper brings the complexities of love and deep emotions to the stage with her new single “Outside The Gate”, following her acclaimed EPs *Towards The End* and *Where To Find Me*. Get ready for an intimate and captivating performance in Istanbul.

The movie *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™* comes to life on stage with the iconic score of John Williams performed live by a 100-piece orchestra. Presented in high resolution with Turkish subtitles, this magical experience combines music and cinema under the direction of conductor Timothy Henty. Don’t miss Harry’s first step into the wizarding world on this unforgettable night!

As part of the Garanti BBVA Concerts series, London-based Public Service Broadcasting will perform at Blind on April 24. Known for blending archival footage with electronic, cinematic rock, and orchestral sounds, the group showcases their mastery of storytelling through music with albums like *The Race for Space*, *Every Valley*, and *Bright Magic*. Following their symphonic triumph with *This New Noise* at BBC Proms, they promise a visually and sonically stunning experience. Don’t miss this special performance!

As part of the Garanti BBVA International Jazz Day Concerts, Australia’s distinctive voice Allysha Joy takes the stage at %100 Studio on April 30. Known as the powerful voice of the 30/70 collective, Joy delivers a rich musical palette from jazz and soul to broken-beat and R&B with her award-winning solo albums *Acadie: Raw* and *Torn: Tonic*. Having shared the stage with major acts like Ezra Collective, KOKOROKO, and The Teskey Brothers, she is ready to mesmerize the audience with her emotionally charged and authentic performance.

Set in the final years of the Ottoman Empire, *Long Live Mercaniye!* is a humorous play that takes the audience on a journey through time. Filled with cheerful songs, melodies from the past, and eccentric characters, the piece tells the story of Captain Asaf and his crew aboard a decaying warship, symbolizing their crumbling dreams. Drawing from traditional elements, the play weaves together history and comedy to explore social and personal breakdowns with a satirical twist, bringing to life Aziz Nesin’s famous saying, “Create the humor of things that can’t be explained.”

*Saints or Sinners* begins with famous novelist Mark Styler arriving at Fairfield Psychiatric Hospital to meet one of history’s most notorious serial killers, Easterman. However, the bizarre and enigmatic Dr. Farquhar tries to prevent Styler from achieving his goal, while the hospital’s paranoid nurse Plimpton poses another major obstacle. As events unfold, Styler begins to realize that nothing is as it seems, and he finds himself trapped in a web of psychological games.

As a new mother, Nina is caught between sleeplessness, anxiety, and love, when she finally gets the chance to spend one night away from her baby. But the peace she expected soon gives way to deep worry. With a single phone call, Nina steps into the greatest trial of her life. As she navigates the thin line between motherhood and childhood, she undergoes an inner transformation shaped by generational teachings. *Holy* offers not just a narrative about motherhood but a powerful emotional experience that touches on all aspects of the human condition.

One of Broadway’s longest-running musicals, Chicago, will take the stage at Zorlu PSM between April 15–20. With its original Broadway production and stars from West End and Broadway, the show is set to captivate audiences. Set in the dazzling world of the 1920s, this enchanting tale follows Roxie Hart's journey through crime, passion, and fame, enriched with iconic songs and stunning choreography. Featuring unforgettable numbers like “All That Jazz” and “Cell Block Tango,” Chicago promises a truly unique musical experience.

Salih Bademci’s one-man show “Voices” offers an unforgettable theatrical experience by exploring the power of sounds that resonate in our memories. As the audience listens to thousands of voices from the past, present, and future, the play reveals that even silence can be a scream, inviting viewers to question their sense of hearing and discover the deeper meanings of sound.

Set amidst an unfinished home renovation, The Small Balcony stages a reckoning shaped around burdens of the past and family ties. What seems like a simple story of sibling dynamics turns into a profound confrontation between sisters upon the unexpected return of the elder. Their mother’s illness and the halted renovation surface unresolved family issues. Blending humor and psychoanalysis, this journey makes the audience both laugh heartily and feel deeply.

Jason Robert Brown’s acclaimed Off-Broadway musical "Route Recalculated" comes to the Istanbul stage under the direction of Kayhan Berkin. Starring Pelin Akil and Mehmet Aykaç, this touching story tells the diverging love journey of Jamie, a rapidly rising author, and Melek, an actress facing stagnation in her career. Their paths meet at their wedding, and together they embark on an emotional journey through the intersecting routes of life and love.