Ukrainian festival-goers who have no time or money to hit all the famous European music fests this summer, can party at home just as well. At least four major music events are expected over the next few months in the capital and beyond.
Taking place for the sixth time already, Krayina Mriy ethnic culture festival (June 27), founded by musician Oleh Skrypka, became a good summer tradition. Held on Spivoche Pole as usual, it will be a one-day event instead of two. Still, the usual share of positive emotions for guests of all ages is guaranteed. The festival grounds will offer all kinds of activities including a book market and a craftsmen alley, a children’s playground and a dance school, as well as special stages for literature readings and kobzar performances. During the day you’ll be treated to authentic music from Ukrainian ensembles and in the evening (6 p.m. till 10 p.m.) – a concert featuring UkrayinSKA – folk project of Ukrainian rockabilly band Mad Heads XL, Zalvarinis (Lithuania), Valkyrien All Stars (Norway) and Fanfara Shavale (Romania).
Lviv festival Stare Misto (June 29) will feature only six bands. But the headliner, American band Gogol Bordello, will easily make up for the short list of performers. Founded in New York in the end of the 1990’s by Kyiv-born emigrant Eugene Hutz and a international gang of musicians, Bordello quickly invaded the local underground scene. By now the band has released four albums – its music known as “gypsy punk cabaret” – and toured all over the world. Some lucky Kyivans including myself still remember their only gig in Kyiv’s Utyugi club in 2003: there aren’t many bands which can pull it off with so much energy and passion. Besides, Bordello’s frontman, Hutz, starred alongside Elijah Wood in “Everything’s Illuminated” movie in 2005, performed with Madonna at London Live Earth in 2007 and played a title role in her debut movie “Filth and Wisdom.”
Stare Misto will also feature three Ukrainian bands: two folk rock veterans Vopli Vidoplyasova and Haydamaky as well as UkrayinSKA. Russian rock band Splin will surprise its fans with songs from yet unreleased new album and so will Finnish Korpiklaant – one of the most popular folk-metal bands in the world. Its concert schedule for 2009 already includes over 100 shows.
Svirzh World Music will take place 40 km from Lviv – in a small village called Svirzh. During the three days of the fest (July 31-Aug 2), visitors will get to see over 50 bands from Ukraine and many other countries. Among them are international world-music stars: Cape Verdean barefoot diva Cesaria Evora, jolly Moldovans Zdob Si Zdub, iconic Georgian singer Nino Katamadze, The Klezmatics from New York, Cankisou from Check Republic and others.
Ukraine will be represented by the much loved bands such as Esthetic Education, Vopli Vidoplyasova, Plach Yeremiyi, Ot Vinta, Bozhychi and Yurkesh to name a few.
On August 1-2, Chayka airfield will host Global East Festival Open Air. Without a doubt, all Ukrainian metalheads will be thrilled by the lineup which includes: Motorhead and My Dying Bride from the UK, Kingdom Come, Diary of Dreams, Crematory and Kreator from Germany, Dutch Epica and a former Nightwish vocalist, Finnish lady Tarja Turunen.
Krayina Mriy – Spivoche Pole, June 27, noon till 10 p.m. Free admission. www.krainamriy.com
Stare Misto – Lviv, Ukraina stadium. June 29, 2 p.m. Tickets Hr 80-120, www.stare-misto.ua
Svirzh World Music – Svirzh (Lviv region), July 31-Aug 2, Tickets Hr 100-1,000. www.gabri.kiev.ua
Global East Festival – Chayka airfield, Aug 1-2, 12:30 p.m. Tickets from Hr 400 to Hr 750. www.globalfest.info
