Nilüfer Yanya

Nilüfer Yanya passed up an opportunity to join a girls band created by One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, preferring instead to focus on her own songwriting. “For me, writing is definitely problem-solving. It’s a process that lets me understand myself better,” says the artist, who traces her roots to Turkey and Barbados, and records for the cult label Ninja Tune. Her last two records have won a Best New Music distinction from Pitchfork, and other artists are taking note of her talents. Adele invited Yanya to open her first show after a long hiatus, and she also supported Roxy Music on the band’s 50th-anniversary tour. Wherever she plays, she inevitably enchants audiences with her hypnotic voice, her subtle delivery, and melodies that combine indie rock, soul, jazz, and trip hop. Don’t say we didn’t warn you: you’re sure to be enchanted at the OFF Festival, too.