Babylon Turns Istanbul On!
Some words have special meanings for Babylon. When you use these words in sentences, instead of the meanings in the dictionaries, they reveals the way to express Babylon itself. In that case, it is good to know these words’meanings in th Babylon dictionary from our perspective.
21.30: Weekday concerts at Babylon start at 21.30, including Fridays.
3D Party: Babylon parties that spread out over all three of its venues (Babylon, Babylon Lounge, Top Floor). These events allow access between all venues.
Acoustics: Back in 1999 Babylon was designed as a concert venue. No different than any other venue, acoustics was the most significant and decisive factor of the architectural project. The interior design is shaped by the stage and sound system so we make sure that music remains high quality in any part of Babylon.
Age Limit: 18: Is the age limit determined by law to enter Babylon and other similar venues. We regret to say that, unless accompanied by an adult, people under the age of 18 will not be allowed inside Babylon.
Asmalı Mescit: Babylon’s neighbourhood and today, the core of Istanbul nightlife. When Babylon first opened in 1999 most of Istanbulites had not step foot in Asmalı Mescit. Today, however, Asmalı Mescit is hugely popular with people hanging out before and after the concerts at Babylon.
Aya Yorgi: Babylon’s summer abode. Each year in June, Babylon opens the season at Çeşme Aya Yorgi in Izmir. Music resides on the shores of the Aegean for three months with a special line-up for a summer by the sea. Days appear longer under the shade of lush citrus trees that spread over 5 acres. This is the place where entertainment meets the satisfaction of a well-deserved summer break.
Backstage: The humble room behind the stage… Where only artists can enter and absolutely no one else… Most of the time this room is out of bounds even for the Babylon crew.
Box Office: The small shop where you can find answers to your questions about Babylon, buy tickets, Babylon merchandise and Doublemoon CDs. The box office is open daily from 10 AM until the doors close at the main venue that particular night. For more information please call Babylon box Office on 0 (212) 292 7368 / 0 (212) 292 7368
Brochure: The very handy brochure that introduces the upcoming month at Babylon. Brochures are free of charge and can be obtained from Babylon and many other popular places throughout the city.
Calender: Is a summary version of the monthly programme that exists both on the brochure and the website. It is almost impossible to miss a concert at Babylon as long as you follow the calendar.
Capacity: Essentially the capacity of Babylon is 450 people. However during the first five years there were several nights that exceeded capacity. Nowadays capacity at Babylon is under tight regulation even if we have to break some hearts. Management gives special attention to keep audience under capacity limits even during popular concerts and parties.
Carpark: Babylon does not have a private car park. However guests may use the indoor and outdoor car parking facilities in the Asmalı Mescit and Tünel district, indicated clearly on the Babylon website.
Cleaning: Babylon is an establishment that pay attention to hygiene.
Cloakroom: Babylon is the first club in the world to employ the black bag and sticker system developed to increase cloakroom capacity at crowded events. Babylon charges a fee for cloakroom services and although occasional it has been criticised for keeping customers waiting on crowded nights.
Cocktails: Babylon trusts its specially prescribed cocktails as much as its music.
Community: Since opening its doors, Babylon has existed as a large family together with its followers, sponsors, solution partners and the local district. To put it briefly, everyone involved has been coined the “community”. It would be both impossible and pointless to mention of Babylon without its community.
Concert Layout: Babylon has various pre-planned concert layouts for all types of events. Babylon was the venue that introduced Istanbul the habit of standing concerts. However seated layout is used as necessary, especially for jazz concerts.
Concession Ticket: For every concert at Babylon there is a limited number of discount student (concession) tickets on sale. First come first served, so act quickly.
Design: Babylon gives importance to design and cares for its designers.
DJ: Babylon is one of the first venues in Istanbul to have included DJ performances into their monthly programme. Babylon keeps close track of the names that shape dance music and hosts world renowned DJs and their recorded music regularly.
Door Policy: Babylon’s doors are open to everyone as long as you are of legal age and do not bother other guests inside. It is not for Babylon security to select people at the door since the music playing inside does that for us.
Doublemoon: The independent record label founded by Pozitif in 1998 to hold the hand of Istanbul based artists on their way to their world debuts.
Dubstep / Electronica: The assertive sound of new generation electronic music. Popular names of dubstep as well as electronica veterans and newcomers…
Indie Nation: The series of concerts inspired by the legendary MTV programme “Indie Nation” that marked a generation and contributed to the popularity of the genre amongst respectable music fans. Besides indie rock groups the Indie Nation Series at Babylon also include different bands that range between the borders of electronic, hip-hop or pop.
Invitation: You can’t expect an invitation from Babylon; you need to earn it! Babylon only issues invitations to individuals and organisations that specifically contribute to the particular concert. This mainly includes sponsors. In order to gain free entrance with an invitation at Babylon you have to keep a close eye out for opportunities announced through the Babylon website, radio promotions and social media.
Istanbul: Home to Babylon. The city we are proud to have put as a destination on the live music map… Located on the farthest corners of both Europe and Asia, Istanbul has been now included by musicians as a stopover on their tours thanks to Babylon. In return, the vibrancy of Istanbul has played a huge role in Babylon becoming a venue that is world famous.
Jazz: The musical genre Babylon knows and loves most. Babylon is a Europe Jazz Network member and although it loses its course every now and then, Babylon always makes a point showing its loyalty to the genre by including jazz concerts in the programme.
Jukebox: Is how Babylon celebrates special days. Jukebox parties generally see Babylon’s founding partners on the decks with occasional appearances by guest DJs. This is the night for the Babylon community and usually goes on to the early hours of the morning.
Jurnal Street: Right behind Babylon, this street is home to Babylon Lounge.
Legend: At Babylon we believe in legends. Until now many legends like San Ra Arkestra, Jimmy Scott, Jane Birkin, Omara Portuondo, Patti Smith, Marianne Faithfull and Grandmaster Flash have given unforgettable concerts at Babylon. And it was again at Babylon that many musicians destined to become future legends like Norah Jones, Gotan Project and Nitin Sawhney gave their debut concerts in Turkey. Babylon is very proud to have successfully fitted these big names into its humble little venue.
Line-up: Is the list of artists on stage and the instruments they play. Line-ups are printed on Babylon posters and brochures and are a valuable source of information if the artist/band is unfamiliar.
Live Music: The main purpose of Babylon’s existence. You will be familiar with the motto “Babylon – the place to listen to live music”.
Lounge: Babylon’s neighbour... A melting pot for tasty cocktails and DJ music… Initially the Lounge was designed to serve guests before and after Babylon concerts however in time it developed its own musical style and found a place for itself in the Istanbul night scene.
Magazine: In cooperation with the Bant magazine crew, a new issue of Babylon magazine has been arriving on the shelves on a quarterly basis since September 2009. Besides articles on music from the world of Babylon, this music oriented lifestyle magazine also focuses on the rich cultures of different geographies.
Midnight Express: The concert series inspired by Alan Parker’s sensational film Midnight Express back from 1978. Babylon believes that music is the most sincere up rise against cultural prejudice that codes us either western, modern and civilised or eastern, backward and underdeveloped. The series is developed around this concept.
Monk: Babylon believes that those who enjoy life to the fullest are in a sense a “Monk”. Well, Monk is the new meeting point of good food and music… Located on the Aegean coast this is the confluence of soul touching, intriguing and provocative tastes.
Music Policy: Babylon will not discriminate against the language and type of music played on stage. People will listen to jazz one night and dance to electronic music the other. It is such contrasts and occasional surprises that excite Babylon regulars and ensure they eagerly await the upcoming monthly programme.
Noise: Just like all unseated concert venues Babylon is noisy and this is a problem. Babylon implements a “silence” policy at certain concerts. Besides that we are working hard to minimise noise within the venue.
Old Singles: The almost forgotten songs of Turkish Pop music were remembered at Babylon long before they regained popularity as recent film soundtracks. Since 2003, a journey in time has commenced in Babylon under the command of Naim Dilmener, which somewhat has written the history of Turkish Pop.
Oldies But Goldies: The legendary party series with Murat Abbas (a.k.a Mabbas) and Murat Beşer on the decks and Engin Eraydın working on visuals. The night where people both have fun and create their own nostalgia whilst singing along to those unforgettable tunes. Oldies but Goldies parties first broke box-office records at Babylon and later embarked on tours of other Turkish cities after its fame reached out of Istanbul.
Party: Babylon is a live music venue however each month there are a few parties based around different concepts.
Poster: Babylon gives importance to design and its designers. Posters are not merely marketing tools. Rather, they are perceived as the energy of the venue that emanates out into the city.
Pozitif: Founded in 1989 by three young men passionate about music with the intention of organising international concerts in Turkey. After having organising several concerts and festivals in Istanbul and other cities the Pozitif team decided to open their own venue, eventually giving birth to Babylon.
Programme: Programming at Babylon is shaped by the logic of “one festival each month”. From jazz to latin and from electronica to rock our programmers work hard to deliver a balanced musical policy. Programming is a serious and difficult job. On the other hand, coming to Babylon without knowing the programme would be tremendously unwise.
Radio: Radio Babylon is an Internet radio which perceives itself as an FM radio. Its musical understanding could be described as eclectic. It is open to any kind of music as long as it’s good. It bravely prepares playlists that amalgamate jazz, rock, world, indie and electronica. It sprawls out into different genres depending on programmers and DJs. For now it is on the air on your computer or smart phone. www.radyobabylon.com
Safety & Security: Babylon cares for your safety. This is why you will definitely be searched at the door. Babylon would like to thank you for your understanding concerning this practice.
Service: Friendly service to customers is standard at Babylon from the very first day.
Silence Policy: Is a practice and warning valid for certain concerts at Babylon that encourages guests to show respect to both the artist and other listeners. Those disregarding this practice might be warned by Babylon personnel, other customers or even by the artist on stage. If deemed necessary Babylon will ask the person(s) disregarding the silence policy to leave after returning the full fee for their ticket.
Sound System: Babylon shows its respect to music by using the best sound system available.
Soundgarden: Is the festival organised by Babylon at Babylon Aya Yorgi in Çeşme. Music, fun, activities and performances begin at daytime and extend into the night.
Sponsor: Babylon relies on sponsors for its existence and does not hesitate to express this fact. Nowadays everyone has fully comprehended the fact that it would not be possible to organise any of the concerts that have been done until now. Babylon would like to use this opportunity to thank once again supporting institutions and companies.
Stage: With due respect to music and the artist, Babylon defines the stage as the “Holy Place”. This is why it is strictly forbidden to rest your drinks or sit on the stage. Members of the audience may only come on stage by invitation of the artist and should not expect to get invited down. You are on stage with your favourite group and your three-second opportunity is ticking away.
Sun Ra: That blown-up black and white photo seen on Babylon’s wall actually has a lot to say. On April 15th 1990, after Istiklal Boulevard had been closed to traffic a large lorry began its journey with jazz guru Sun Ra on top performing their extra-terrestrial music. This was followed by two outstanding and equally mesmerising concerts at Cemal Resit Rey concert hall. The Sun Ra concerts were the first time people heard of Pozitif and this in a sense is the reason behind Babylon’s existence. Sun Ra sadly passed away in 1993, however his band the Sun Ra Arkestra made a come back to Istanbul in 2002 with two amazing performances at Babylon.
Şehbender Street: Babylon’s street… Whilst previously a placid backstreet, over the years it gradually became the heart of Istanbul’s nightlife. Today, anyone pointing out an address in the Asmalı Mescit district takes Şehbender as a reference.
The Artist: Is Babylon’s most important guest that deserves the best hospitality.
Ticket Policy: Babylon is a concert venue. Hence there is an entrance fee, in other words a ticket. Ticket prices may vary depending on the concert or event. Should you seek cheaper tickets make sure to keep en eye out for the limited amount of discount tickets that go on sale in advance. Follow announcements from the official Babylon site or from our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Üst Kat: Located just above Babylon Lounge the place was coined the “Top Floor” just around when efforts had focused on finding a good name. The fully equipped venue for hire is tailored to host various parties, celebrations or corporate organisations…
Ventilation: This was a technical problem that caused considerable criticism in the early days of Babylon. Babylon was only able to make the transition to a ventilation system that could handle a 400 capacity venue in its third season. So this problem ceases to exist.
Visuals: Sometimes hearing music is just not enough. Now that is when Babylon uses specially produced visuals. Visuals are important for Babylon.
Web: www.babylon.com.tr, the place to find all the information you need about Babylon. On average 60,000 people visit the site each month. Besides that, Babylon gives special importance to remaining up to date in social media including Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.
