Greetings, our favorite music industry people! The Music Export Ukraine team is back with our hand-picked monthly update. Despite the ongoing war challenges including constant power cuts summed up with the anomalous heat, the resilience and creativity of the Ukrainian music scene continues to shine brightly.
ATLAS UNITED 2024 went ahead despite the looming threat of missile attacks. During 3 festival days it has not only united over 60,000 music fans, ensuring everyone’s safety and access to the biggest underground shelter, but also managed to raise 100 million hryvnias for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, truly cementing the event's place in live music history. Sharon den Adel, iconic voice of the Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation, was headlining the closing day of the event. For more on the inspiring story of ATLAS’ preparation, check out the BBC article interviewing festival’s organizer and invited artists.
We have collected the latest updates from the Ukrainian scene for you:
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Jamala, the Ukrainian singer of Crimean Tatar origin, performed at the Olympic Games in Paris. The show took place at the stage of Volia Space, an international cultural exhibition on the occasion of the Games.
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Urban folk musician Postman was a part of the third edition of the "Europavox Sessions" which showcases the best of the new European music scene. Watch the newly released live video “Best of Europavox Sessions 2024 - ARTE Concert” which happened in France earlier in summer.
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We are thrilled to introduce the release of the second episode of "Memory Leaks" on The Quietus. Titled "Nova Moon Rising – The Phenomenon of the Kharkiv Novaya Scena," this episode delves into the vibrant arts and music scene of Kharkiv in the 1990s when Novaya Scena was a hub for avant-rock and esoteric folk.
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Well-known Ukrainian Dj Tapolsky played a drum-n-bass set at the entrance to Donetsk region, most of which has been occupied by Russian forces since 2014. The stella became an iconic spot as soldiers and volunteers would leave there stickers and notes before going to the frontline. Watch the live stream here.
Attention to all the festival organizers out there!
Do you want to contribute to building peace in Europe, but wondering about the practical aspect of it? Check out the "Festivals for Ukraine'' toolkit from YOUROPE and Music Saves Ukraine. This guide is packed with creative ideas, easy steps and case studies to make a valuable impact and support Ukraine’s culture. It also features quotes and materials provided by various YOUROPE member festivals like ARTmania (RO), Das Fest (DE), Les Eurockeennes de Belfort (FR), OpenAir St.Gallen (CH), Pohoda Festival (SK), Superbloom (DE), Sziget (HU). If you would like to be among those helping to save lives and rebuild Ukraine, get in touch with Music Saves UA to make a difference together: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Here are some amazing chances to experience vibrant Ukrainian music that you cannot miss:
- The beloved Hungarian festival Sziget (August 7th-12th) will host a party with some of the coolest Ukrainian queer techno including sets from CatMint, Alinka and S.A. Tweeman. Check out the Magic Mirror stage line up!
- Metal band Ignea has a number of summer shows scheduled around Europe while they support Cradle of Fifth and Butcher Babies on the road.
- Alyona Alyona is capitalizing on her Eurovision success this year with performances scheduled in Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland this August.
- Before her guest appearance at WOMEX in Manchester this autumn, GANNA will play her tender folk jazz music at various stages across Germany and Austria in late August and September.
As cherry on top, we are happy to see that more and more international acts find the passion to come and play live in Ukraine! Eurovision 2024 winner Nemo will give an exclusive Kyiv show in March 2025 as a part of their European tour, and we cannot wait!
