Okean Elzy sold out five arena shows in Kyiv, Ukrainian MusicLab in Bucharest, GOGOLFEST in frontline Zaporizhzhia, ОЧІ LABEL opened submissions for a new charity compilation, and The New York Times featured a Ukrainian archival release, Even the Forest Hums. Tours by Dakhabrakha and others continue across Europe and the U.S.
Okean Elzy band, celebrating their 30th anniversary, sold out five (!) consecutive concerts at Kyiv's Palace of Sports (10,000 capacity each), a historic achievement for Ukrainian rock. Fans gathered from October 11-15, 2024, to witness this iconic band's performances, reflecting the group's enduring influence in Ukraine. These shows not only marked a milestone for Okean Elzy, but also underscored the importance of music in fostering unity amid challenging times. Their frontmen Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, who has also served as a UN Goodwill Ambassador, uses his stardom to promote peace and national pride, making Okean Elzy more than just a band — they’re symbols of unity and hope for many Ukrainians.
The band has embarked on an international tour this fall, with stops in North America, including cities like Toronto, Montreal, and New York. This tour, dubbed the "Lighthouse Tour," supports their charitable Open Eyes Fund, with proceeds contributing to aid efforts like delivering ambulances and medical equipment to the Ukrainian frontlines. Their popularity spans generations, as they consistently sell out arenas in Ukraine and attract sizable audiences abroad, where Ukrainian communities and global fans gather to experience their live performances.
Ukrainian MusicLab Showcase in Bucharest on Oct 30th!
The training program, launched by Europavox and the French Institute in Romania, in partnership with Control Club and Music Export Ukraine, is dedicated to supporting Ukrainian artists and helping them integrate into the European music scene. Faced with the challenges of the war, many Ukrainian artists had to suspend their projects or move abroad. Ukrainian MusicLab aims to give them a new opportunity for growth and recognition in Europe.
The program, launched at the beginning of October, offers artists a complex training framework covering online workshops, training sessions in Bucharest, and pitching opportunities with journalists and professionals from the local and international music industry. For three weeks, Ukrainian artists explore new ways of promoting and diversifying income on the European music market while also learning content production techniques under the guidance of experts from the European music industry. The five artists selected to participate in the 2024 edition of the program are Andrii Barmalii x Oleksandr Yavdyk (electronic/jazz/jungle), Farba Kingdom (dark synth-postpunk), NFNR (dreamy electronic), Postman (city-folk) and TANKATAKA (indie-pop). They will deliver a live performance at Control Club in Bucharest on October 30, in an event that promises a diversity of musical genres. Entry is free, within the available seating. Find details here!
The recent GOGOLFEST in Zaporizhzhia (Eastern Ukraine, mere 50 kms from the front line) showcased contemporary Ukrainian art and music in unconventional spaces like bomb shelters and underground parking due to security concerns from ongoing shelling. It featured performances and installations exploring themes of memory, resilience, and local heritage, including works by the band DakhTrio, folk-punk group Dakh Daughters, and installations by Ukrainian artists like Dmytro Kostyuminskyi and Kateryna Beslyk. Despite the challenges, the festival symbolized cultural resistance and solidarity. For detailed photos and more information, visit this gorgeous photo report from the Ukrainian local media here!
OPEN CALL: ОЧІ LABEL invites you to submit tracks to their latest electronic charity compilation, '24.2.25', following the success of their first two releases, which raised approximately $1,400 in support of the Musicians Defend Ukraine Foundation. This new compilation will be released in the same format as the previous ones: Bandcamp-only and accompanied by a SoundCloud mix by be_ca_di, founder and curator of the ОЧІ LABEL. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Musicians Defend Ukraine Foundation.
The label is seeking tracks created in 2024 to capture the soundscape of the year. Artists interested in participating are encouraged to submit their demo or raw tracks (-8 dB on master) by December 1, 2024 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Selected tracks that fit the mood of the compilation will be guided through the mastering process.
The New York Times article “Even the Forest Hums” highlights the release of a music compilation by Light in the Attic Records, focusing on Ukrainian archival music from 1971 to 1996. Titled Even the Forest Hums: Ukrainian Sonic Archives, the album presents a diverse selection of 18 tracks, spanning folk, rock, jazz, and electronic genres. This project emphasizes how Ukrainian music evolved under Soviet restrictions, where artists often had to subtly subvert Soviet ideological controls, blending global influences into their works. For example, groups like Kobza and Vodohrai crafted unique styles that mixed Ukrainian folk sounds with funk, jazz, and Caribbean rhythms.
The compilation reflects how music served as a cultural and emotional outlet for Ukrainians during periods of political tension. With rare tracks such as Vadym Khrapachov's “Dance,” recorded on the USSR's only EMS Synthi 100 synthesizer, and tracks by prominent underground artists, this release documents both the resilience and creativity that characterized Ukraine's music scene through the decades. Proceeds from the album will also contribute to Ukrainian relief efforts through Kyiv-based volunteer group Livyj Bereh. The album, curated in collaboration with Ukrainian label Shukai, showcases Ukrainian music as a key cultural asset and provides a new way for global audiences to experience Ukraine's artistic history and spirit. You can read the full article here.
Also, mark your calendars and don’t miss the chance to catch Ukrainian artists live near you this November and December!
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Dakhabrakha: US & Europe - Tour Info
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Space of Variations: Europe - Tour Info
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Ukrainian Female Voices (Anastasiya Voytyuk, Dana Vynnytska & Ganna Gryniva): Berlin - Details in the event
And last but not least, check out our monthly collaborative playlist! Our team has curated the freshest tracks from Ukraine’s music scene. Grab your headphones and discover your new favourite artists.
