“Rabe” on the Move: The 2026 UK & Ireland Tour and the Ascent of a Kurdish Icon

Aynur Doğan, the globally celebrated figure of Kurdish music, has officially announced her first extensive tour across the United Kingdom and Ireland, set for the spring of 2026. This upcoming series of performances serves as a natural progression following the worldwide acclaim of her latest album, Rabe. The record has solidified her reputation as one of the most profound and distinctive voices currently active in the international world music scene, offering a bridge between ancient traditions and modern sensibilities.

Born in Çemişgezek, Turkey, in 1975, Aynur Doğan has spent more than two decades re-envisioning traditional Kurdish folk music by seamlessly integrating contemporary Western influences. Her compositions create a unique space where themes of love, spirituality, and freedom are not merely stated but are presented as lived experiences. This authenticity allows her music to resonate deeply with listeners far beyond the borders of the Middle East, making her a symbol of cultural resilience and artistic innovation.

The album “Rabe”—which translates from Kurdish as “rise” or “stand up”—was released in March 2024 and represents the pinnacle of her artistic journey. Featuring nine tracks, including the standout pieces “Hekîmo” and “Bîranîn,” the album reached the number one spot on the Transglobal World Music Chart in May 2024. As the eighth studio album in her discography, it functions as a manifesto of her musical maturity, blending traditional motifs with modern arrangements crafted alongside twenty musicians from Germany and Spain, including Michael League and pipa virtuoso Wu Man.

A central highlight of the upcoming tour is the performance in London. Scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the prestigious Barbican Centre, this concert marks Aynur’s highly anticipated return to the London stage after a significant absence. For the British audience, this event is more than just a musical performance; it is a rare encounter with a voice that possesses the unique ability to command the silence between the notes and fill it with profound emotion.

The RABE UK TOUR 2026 is designed to reach several major cultural hubs across the region, ensuring a wide reach for her evocative sound:

• Bristol – March 27 (St George’s Bristol)
• Birmingham – March 28 (Town Hall)
• Edinburgh – March 30 (Queen’s Hall)
• Dublin – March 31 (National Concert Hall)

This comprehensive schedule, which also includes performances in Amsterdam and Essen during the late winter, underscores her expanding influence across the European continent. By bringing her music to these diverse cities, she continues to establish herself as a vital force in the contemporary music landscape, bridging the gap between traditional heritage and modern global audiences who seek depth and authenticity.

Aynur Doğan’s artistry, which frequently reflects the historical struggles and enduring resilience of the Kurdish people, is rooted in an oral tradition spanning over 300 years. Despite these ancient foundations, her sound remains entirely contemporary. Her international accolades, most notably the WOMEX Artist Award in 2021, have merely confirmed what her fans have known for years: her music builds essential bridges between cultures, generations, and the inner lives of her listeners, fostering a sense of shared humanity.

Ultimately, this event highlights how music can do more than just tell a story; it can restore dignity to those whose histories were once only whispered. Drawing on the Pythagorean tradition that the world is sustained by proportion, Aynur’s voice—found in its perfect measure—transforms the space it inhabits. It represents a frequency of rising where a personal timbre becomes a collective bridge, transcending borders and translations to turn pain into beauty and beauty into a profound sense of freedom.