HOW “OYU FEST” CHANGED THE MUSICAL CULTURE OF KAZAKHSTAN: HISTORY, ARTISTS, AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE FORMAT (2022-2026)

Authors

  • Kaztuganova Ainur Zhasaganbergenovna Head of the Department of Musicology, M.O. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art, Candidate of Art Studies, Associate Professor
  • Mukasheva Gaukhar Alikhankyzy Junior Researcher, M.O.Auezov Institute of Literature and Art, Master of Arts

Abstract

This article examines how the “OYU Fest” festival transformed Kazakhstan’s music industry and culture between 2022 and 2026. It traces the project’s entire journey: from intimate live performances on YouTube (OYU Live) to a massive two-day anniversary festival in Almaty. The main focus of the article is on how the organisers select artists. By bringing together indie rock, rap, legends of Soviet pop (the Dos-Mukasan vocal-instrumental ensemble, Roza Rymbaeva) and stars of the mainstream toi scene (Kairat Nurtas) on one stage, “OYU Fest” blurs the boundaries between generations and breaks down old stereotypes

Published

2026-06-07

How to Cite

Kaztuganova Ainur Zhasaganbergenovna, & Mukasheva Gaukhar Alikhankyzy. (2026). HOW “OYU FEST” CHANGED THE MUSICAL CULTURE OF KAZAKHSTAN: HISTORY, ARTISTS, AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE FORMAT (2022-2026). European Research Materials, (13). Retrieved from https://ojs.publisher.agency/index.php/ERM/article/view/8901

Issue

No. 13 (2026): European Research Materials

Section

Art History

License

Copyright (c) 2026 European Research Materials

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.