The festival will open with a concert by the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic, the festival’s orchestra in residence, at the Hagia Eirene Museum.  

Moreover, Renowned Canadian singer and composer Loreena McKennitt who last met with her fans in Turkey 13 years ago at the International Istanbul Jazz Festival, will be putting an end to the longing of thousands this year with a much anticipated concert in Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre, on June 13th, 2009. The Canadian artist who describes her work as "musical travel writing", has collected admiration and countless awards in 4 continents and 15 countries in her music career of 22 years in eclectic Celtic music, with album sales exceeding 14 million around the world. With her previous release "An Ancient Muse", which also included her interpretation of the famous Turkish tune Katibim, she took us in search of the Celts' easternmost paths. Accompanied by instruments like oud, lyra and kanoun, Loreena McKennit's albums are also very popular in Turkey.  

World famous Japanese drumming troupe Kodo will be in İstanbul, as part of its One Earth Tour, for two special performances at Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre on June 15th, Monday and June 16th, Tuesday, 21.00 hrs.  

Kodo explores the magical vibrations of traditional Japanese drums, taiko, within a glamorous visual atmosphere. In Japanese, the word "kodo" means heartbeat and the sound of the taiko drums are known to evoke the magical sound of the beating heart. Read in another way, the word means "children of the drum", reflecting the troupe’s desire to play their drums with the heart of a child.  

The London-based alternative rock trio Placebo will be performing for the fourth time in Istanbul on June 23rd as part of their last album "Battle For The Sun" tour.  

Turkcell Kuruçeşme Arena is the address of the concert which is expected to bring Placebo fans to the Bosphorus shores.