‘Ukrainian artists are selling out arenas in record time’

Three years on from the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s live music scene is flourishing albeit under gruelling circumstances.

Amid curfews, bomb threats, a lack of infrastructure, and a talent drain, the country’s live music industry has been defiant in its continued staging of concerts and festivals.

Last year, major festivals such as Atlas Festival and Faine Misto returned, domestic artists delivered record-breaking concerts, and more international artists visited the country.

Throughout the war, live music has become an increasingly important tool for unity, mental health support and fundraising in Ukraine. Here, Alona Dmukhovska, head of Music Export Ukraine, talks to IQ about the triumphs and tribulations of the war-torn market…

IQ: Last year, Artem Pyvovarov delivered an impressive three sold-out shows at Kyiv Sports Palace. Can you tell us about more recent successes in the domestic live scene?
AD: In this past year, we witnessed a surprising trend: Ukrainian artists selling out arenas in record time. One standout example is Klavdia Petrivna, an online sensation and one of the most-streamed artists in recent years. She performed two sold-out shows last August at the country’s largest arena. At the time, Klavdia was like Ukraine’s equivalent of Gorillaz — a mysterious online project with an enigmatic persona that kept her identity hidden. The promise to finally reveal her face at these concerts only fueled the hype. According to Forbes, 16,000 tickets were sold across the two nights, with prices ranging from €12 to €170.

Other artists also took to this iconic venue, with KOZAK SYSTEM celebrating their 10th anniversary and Max Barskih hosting a Christmas special. But the biggest success was definitely by the rock music. 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. Of course, not everything went as planned. Security measures were understandably strict, and on one of the nights, Russia launched another attack. When the air raid sirens sounded, the entire crowd had to be evacuated to a nearby underground subway station. Remarkably, the artists joined the audience there and continued the concert under those conditions.

To be honest, I doubt that a foreign act coming to play here now would achieve the same level of success. These Ukrainian artists deeply resonate with the audience — they are at the centre of attention, close to the people, and many of their songs have become anthems for the events we’re living through. It’s a unique connection that’s hard to replicate if you’re not “part of the gang.” These success stories undoubtedly give Ukrainian artists the confidence to take on larger venues and dream even bigger.

“Ukrainian promoters are eager and determined to host international acts”

Tiger Lillies were one of the first international acts to tour Ukraine after the war began. Have many other overseas acts followed in their footsteps?
This year, Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation) presented a special orchestral program at the major music festival Atlas United. The Japanese psychedelic rock duo Heavenphetamine played in Kyiv, while the Bendik Hofseth Quartet (NO-PL-UA) performed at JazzBez 2024 Festial in the regional city of Ternopil. Belgium’s Ivan Paduart, both solo and with the Patrick Deltenre Quartet, has become a frequent visitor, performing not only in the capital but also in smaller cities like Rivne and Uman. Additionally, Nemo (Eurovision sensation from Switzerland) is planning to visit Kyiv this March.

Kyiv, a hub for electronic music, continues to attract DJs and experimental artists from around the world. In 2024 alone, cult venues like Closer hosted 60 international artists, along with other formations like K41 and Labotatorium drawing thousands of fans for their legendary raves. Meanwhile, Lviv offers a unique appeal. Jazz musicians are drawn to the city’s rich jazz history and intimate venues like Dzyga, while partygoers flock to events organized by Chard Zoratly, Lviv’s Night Ambassador and the visionary behind People Place Bar and Zorepad Festival, which regularly features international acts. While the country’s current economic situation makes competing with other markets difficult, Ukrainian promoters are eager and determined to host international acts.

“Interactive shelter maps are now available for promoters, security protocols are in place and events are adjusted to curfews with earlier start times”

How viable is touring in Ukraine, both for domestic and international acts?
Touring in central and western Ukraine is possible, particularly where the security situation is more stable. However, it’s often more practical for smaller or acoustic acts due to logistical and backline challenges. Proper venues with adequate technical support remain concentrated in major cities, while smaller cities often have outdated infrastructure, making it less economically viable to bring everything needed. Lviv also has practical advantages for touring artists. Located in western Ukraine, it’s much safer and only 325 km from Kraków, Poland, which provides easy access via the nearest major airport.

What are the main challenges with staging live music now and how is the industry navigating them?
Curfews, bomb threats and a lack of infrastructure have undoubtedly had a significant negative impact on the industry. However, Ukrainians have learned to adapt: interactive shelter maps are now available for promoters, security protocols are in place, events are adjusted to curfews with earlier start times, and promotion strategies align with the current news and societal mood. Still, the most critical challenge is the loss of people. Every day, individuals from production companies, security teams, technical crews, and even artists are being mobilised. As of 2025, the majority of male artists and performers we’ve worked with over the years are now in the Army, no longer pursuing their artistic careers but instead serving in communications, logistics, or combat roles. Others could be called up at any moment. This makes it clear: to safeguard the future of our live music industry, we urgently need the world’s support to protect Ukraine effectively. Infrastructure can be rebuilt, but if we lose our talent, the live music industry may not recover.

“Infrastructure can be rebuilt, but if we lose our talent, the live music industry may not recover”

In what capacity are festivals taking place during the war?
Events across electronic, jazz, and classical scenes are taking place regularly, typically drawing audiences ranging from a few hundred to a couple of thousand attendees. The largest festival outside Kyiv was Faine Misto in Lviv, which brought together 20,000 visitors over three days. Known for its focus on hard and heavy music, the festival visually and thematically appeals to fans of events like Wacken Open Air. However, it’s also highly family-friendly, featuring a diverse lineup that includes pop and rap acts on the main stage. The chosen venue, Fest Republic, is a sprawling cultural hub specifically designed for such events. It offers comprehensive security measures, including underground shelters that can accommodate thousands of people, ensuring both safety and comfort for attendees.

What are some of the main goals for Music Export Ukraine in 2025?
With travel restrictions still affecting many, we’ve focused on educational and networking activities within Ukraine. Our goal is to strengthen the foundation for growth from within, while preserving talent and fostering mutual support and collaboration. Still, whenever possible, we ensure a Ukrainian presence at every event abroad — be it a showcase, festival, research initiative, or project. The past few years have been particularly challenging for our organisation as well due to our unique structure. Unlike many export offices, we operate without government support and have relied heavily on project-based funding. To continue our work, we’re exploring ways to make our efforts more sustainable, aiming to build a dynamic and effective organisation. This year, we’re actively seeking long-term partners to support us in capacity building and the professionalisation of Ukraine’s music industry.

It’s almost three years since the war began, do you have a message for the international live music business?
First: talk to your government to support Ukraine’s protection opportunity as much as possible. It will keep you and me much safer in this world. Secondly, let’s attend some events in Ukraine together – I will show you around. Both Atlas Festival in Kyiv and Faine Misto in Lviv are planning to go ahead this summer, their efforts and great Ukrainian music in a variety of states are worth enjoying and supporting!

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