ZAZ
7 June, 7 p.m.
Palats Ukrayina (Ukraine Art Palace, 103, Velyka Vasylkivska vul., Kyiv)
Despite all troubles, Kyiv is no longer a blank spot on the European map of arts. The upcoming ethnic jazz performance from Isabelle Geffroy better known as ZAZ, a French rising star, will prove that. Over the past two years, her Je Veux video blew the Internet while the debut record issued in 2010 has become platinum. Very soon, Ukrainian music lovers will have a chance to savour the performance of the young singer.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
13 June, 7 p.m.
International Exhibition Centre (15, Brovarsky Prospect, Kyiv)
Luckily, Noel Gallagher, the author of most hits and inspirer of Oasis, included Kyiv in the tour list of his newly-established band. The tour started shortly after he issued the first critically acclaimed album with the new band. The record has won numerous awards and become a best seller. This is definitely event No1 for the true fans of British music.
Prosto Rock festival
12 June, 6p.m. (opens at 4p.m.)
Chornomorets Stadium (1/20 Marazliyevska vul., Odesa)
Revived after a 10-year break, Prosto Rock will celebrate its fifth anniversary this year preceded by annual festivals over 1997-2002. The festival returns with a great list of performers, including the legendary Linkin Park (pictured) who will play in Ukraine for the first time, and the UK-based Garbage whose army of Ukrainian fans has been waiting to hear the band for years. Ukraine will be represented by Boombox, the gurus of the local rock scene. All this will blend into an excellent one-day urban festival of modern music.
The Rasmus
26 June, 8 p.m.
Stereoplaza (17, Kikvidze, Kyiv)
The Finnish rock band will come to Ukraine as part of the tour to promote their new album. The band has sold over 3.5mn albums all over the world. They have eight golden and five platinum awards. Their most popular songs include In the Shadows, First Day of My Life, Livin’ in a World Without You, Sail Away, No Fear and more. The last time The Rasmus played a gig in Ukraine was in 2006. This summer, the band is bringing a big-time show.
The Best City
29 June-1 July, Novoselytsia park
(Novoselivka, Novomoskovsk County, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast)
A new venue on Ukraine’s festival map, the festival is a pleasant surprise to all music fans. Organizers promise to turn it into an annual celebration of European quality music. The list of performers for the debut festival will lure anyone with several stages featuring Evanescence (pictured), Crazy Town, Brainstorm, Apollo 440, DDT, Splin, Leningrad, as well as the most popular Ukrainian bands, including VV, Boombox and Haidamaky. The Breakthrough stage will give a chance for the best 25 bands to perform at the festival. They will be chosen by vote on its official website.
Global Gathering Ukraine
14 July 2 p.m. – 6 a.m.
Chaika airfield (Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, Sviatoshyn District, Kyiv)
Chase & Status Live (pictured) will play as headliners of this year’s biggest electronic music event. Over its 10-year career, the band has become extremely successful issuing two records with the latest one becoming platinum twice. Listed as the best band by Best of British-2011, it has won five Drum & Bass Awards. Global Gathering Ukraine-2012 will also feature trans-DJ Gareth Emery, Belgian liquid funk DJ and producer Netsky, legendary Brazilian-born DJ Gui Boratto and many others.
Summer Sound Griboffka International
28 June – 30 August
Grybivka, Ovidiopol County, Odesa Oblast
The festival’s ambition this year is to beat Kazantip, its hugely popular Crimean competitor. Summer Sound 2012 will be the longest-lasting festival in Ukraine. Organizers have not revealed all participants yet but the already known performers include the best DJs from all over the world, such as Dusty Kid; Joachim Garraud (pictured), a legendary French DJ of dance music; Jerry Ropero, a German house DJ; the UK Above & Beyond; and popular rock bands including Liapis Trubetskoy and Green Grey. Obviously, this is going to be a two-month long non-stop beach party.
Red Hot Chilli Peppers
25 July, 7 p.m.
NSK Olimpiysky (55, Velyka Vasylkivska vul., Kyiv)
This is a fantastic treat to several generations of the US funk rock band’s committed fans! The legendary band will visit Ukraine as part of its tour to promote their latest album titled “I’m With You.” RHCP will play a gig at the nation’s biggest arena. Kasabian and The Vaccines, two popular UK bands, will play at the warm up. 48 tons of German equipment will be installed for the show. This is a must-hear performance for everyone who thinks of music as something more than just background noise in the car.
Madonna
4 August, 7 p.m.
NSK Olimpiysky (55, Velyka Vasylkivska vul., Kyiv)
As a final celebrity and financial smash of the year for Ukrainian music fans, the pop queen is visiting Kyiv as part of her Madonna Dance Party Tour to promote her MDNA album. Luckily, Kyiv got in the list of 26 cities she will tour starting at the end of May. The icon of contemporary pop music makes unforgettable shows that have been selling out for 25 years now. To avoid standing in long lines, make sure you are at the spot two hours earlier.
Banderstadt
24-26 August,
Lesia Ukrayinka park (Lutsk)
The most patriotic rock festival of Ukraine is celebrating the 70th anniversary of UPA, Ukrainian Insurgent Army, this summer. Organizers are in the process of negotiating performances by TNMK (pictured), Haidamaky, Komu Vnyz and Plach Yeremiyi. The audience will see a three-day celebration of the true Ukrainian spirit in a picturesque Volyn town.
Korn
29 August, 7 p.m.
Stereoplaza (17, Kikvidze vul., Kyiv)
The legendary California-based founders of nu-metal are coming to Kyiv. The explosive cocktail of grunge, funk, groove-metal, industrial and hip hop has been blowing up the minds and ears of its fans since 1994 when the band issued its first record. After this, Korn joined the list of the best-selling heavy bands in the world selling over 50mn records all over the world. The band has six nominations and two Grammy awards. This summer, Ukraine will hear The Path of Totality, a 2011 album featuring dub step parts from Skrillex in addition to the conventional heavy sound.
Jazz Koktebel
30 August-2 September,
Koktebel, Crimea
The annual celebration of good jazz on the Black Sea coast will surprise the audience with Rabkor translated as Slavecore, a new album from Liapis Trubetskoy (pictured) on 29 August. The band does not play jazz, yet good music is never too much. On 30 August, true jazz for all tastes and preferences from Nino Katamadze, Magnus Lindgren, Mamas Gun, Silver Wedding, Pur:Pur and Katia Chilly, to name a few, will embrace the audience.
