This month DONBASGRL brought her art-pop intensity to Glastonbury, Postman made his international debut in Wales, and The Rasmus showed up in Kyiv in a moving act of solidarity. Meanwhile, festivals like VOLIA in Berlin, ICKPA's homecoming to Kyiv, and the upcoming VYRIY prove that Ukrainian culture is not just surviving - it's thriving. Read on for the full stories!
From Glastonbury to Kyiv's Comeback Festivals – what's new in Ukrainian music industry
At Music Export Ukraine, we track the stories that reflect the energy and resilience of our cultural sector. This roundup brings together standout moments, notable performances, and news that highlight the creative pulse of our country. Scroll down to see more!
DONBASGRL performs at legendary Glastonbury Festival 2025
Ukrainian art-pop artist DONBASGRL took the stage at the legendary Glastonbury Festival 2025, just days after dropping her dark and powerful new single "Zhyva". The track, built on the sound of breaking glass, reflects a raw emotional state — and was performed live on the Green Futures stage, one of the festival's most iconic spaces since 1990.
DONBASGRL delivered a strong set with intensity and grace. Her presence marks a rare moment for Ukrainian artists at Glastonbury — a festival known for spotlighting global voices — and a great opportunity to represent our creative scene on one of the world's most respected stages. Music Export Ukraine is proud to have supported the artist's trip.
This appearance follows her international debut at Eurosonic 2025, marking another step forward for Ukraine's independent music scene.
The Rasmus performed charity set at Atlas Festival 2025
This summer, Finnish rock band The Rasmus performed at Atlas Festival in Kyiv — one of the biggest music events in Ukraine, now held for the second year in a row since the full-scale war began.
Their show was more than music: it was a charity performance to raise funds for Okhmatdyt, the children's hospital damaged in a missile strike in 2024. The band also spent time in Kyiv, listening to local stories — of pain, yes, but also of resilience and rebuilding. "We spent the night before the show in a shelter due to an air alert — something Ukrainians face almost daily," they shared.
Atlas Festival's return is a powerful symbol of cultural resistance and hope. Hosting international acts like The Rasmus shows that, even in wartime, Ukrainian music and community are very much alive — and open to the world.
Ukrainian indie-folk artist Postman debuts internationally at Immersed Festival
Earlier this year, Ukrainian musician Postman (Kostiantyn Pochtar) performed his first international show at Immersed Festival in Cardiff, Wales. Postman was among the grant recipients supported by Music Export Ukraine, which provided financial backing to make the trip possible. His appearance was part of a collaboration between BBC Horizons, Excite Music Network, and Ukrainian partners, spotlighting emerging artists from across Europe. The performance marked another step in bringing Ukrainian voices to the international stage.
VOLIA: Ukrainian Independence Festival returns to Berlin
Art Space in Exile has announced the third edition of its annual two-day festival VOLIA, dedicated to Ukraine's Independence Day. This year's program brings together independent Ukrainian creatives across visual art, theatre, performance, music, dance, fashion, and stand-up — reflecting on the meaning of independence after more than eleven years of war. The lineup includes collaborations with DZHUS, Vika Temnova, Kliker Klub, MOFO Collective, and more.
🗓 August 22–23, 2025
📍 Hotel Continental – Art Space in Exile, Berlin
If you're in the area or have the chance to visit — we totally recommend it!
"Drowned in Sound" launches series with Ukrainian journalists from "Neformat"
As Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues, UK publication Drowned in Sound is amplifying Ukrainian voices through a new editorial partnership with Ukrainian media outlet Neformat. The collaboration — supported by Music Export Ukraine, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, and the Aid for Artists Committee — will publish a series of stories written by Ukrainian journalists for international audiences.
The first feature spotlights Konstantin Poveda, a Kyiv-based engineer, teacher, and noise artist behind the DIY synth brand Crazy Chicken. Known for building custom modules used by artists around the globe, Poveda shares his journey from metalhead drummer to experimental icon — soldering, designing, and performing entirely on his own terms. The interview takes place at Otel', Kyiv's underground epicenter, and captures a rare portrait of Ukraine's modular scene mid-resistance.
More stories from the project are on the way!
Georgian-Ukrainian Music Festival ІСКРА returns to Kyiv
After years abroad, the ICKPA Festival made a bold comeback to Kyiv on July 25–27 — its first edition in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion. The event gathered 30+ DJs and artists from across Europe, including Ana B, Gwenan, and Kasper Marott, turning Kyiv into a hub of electronic music, art, and resistance.
Launched in 2021 as a collaboration between Ukrainian creatives and Georgia's iconic Bassiani club, ICKPA has become a vital space for dialogue between Eastern and Western Europe's electronic scenes. After four years of hosting events across Berlin, New York, and Prague, its return to Kyiv was both artistic and political. "To hold a festival in a place where cultural identity is under threat... is a response to imperialist rhetoric," the organizers said. A reminder that voices of freedom remain loud, present, and unbreakable.
Benjamin Clementine to headline Ukraine's Ethno-Electro Festival "VYRIY"
British poet, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Benjamin Clementine will return to Ukraine for the first time since 2018 to headline the VYRIY Festival, taking place August 9–10 at the KYT Pavilion at VDNG in Kyiv. Clementine performs on August 9 at 8 PM — organizers describe his music as "a good dream in turbulent times" and his return as "an echo from our past life."
The two-day ethno-electronic festival features three stages with live music, electronic sets, and theatrical performances. Alongside Clementine, the lineup includes DakhaBrakha, Jamala, Onuka, Marina Krut, Yuliya Yurina, Piryh i Batih, and many more.
Zurich-based artist Calabrese plays in Kyiv in support of Ukraine's club scene
Electronic artist Calabrese recently traveled from Zurich to Kyiv to support the city's resilient club life and the local scene. At Closer Club, he played a powerful set for a diverse crowd — all united on the dancefloor in search of brief moments of peace. "The gratitude I felt was overwhelming," he shared. "For peace. For the power of music. Against war — everywhere."
MEU playlist 🌟
Looking for your next favorite track from Ukraine? 🎧 Music Export Ukraine has a playlist featuring the freshest releases from the Ukrainian music scene.
