Ukrainian MTV stars concert
This Saturday we’ll finally find out the name of the Best Ukrainian Act at MTV Europe Music Awards 2008. Online voting on the official site www.mtv.ua ends on Oct. 4 and, on the same day, five Ukrainian bands nominated for the title of Best Act will play a show at an open air stage on Kontraktova Square. These are Esthetic Education, Boombox, Druha Rika, Quest Pistols and S.K.A.Y. The concert will air live on the MTV Ukraine channel. The winner will be announced according to voting results at the ceremony’s official web site ema.mtv.ua. To obtain the actual award – an MTV sign on the spring – the winner will travel to the official ceremony to be held in Liverpool, U.K., on Nov.6.
The main competition will most likely take place between three participants – Esthetic Education, Boombox and Druha Rika. Esthetic Education, fronted by Belgian Louis Franck, is known for its alternative sound with Western quality, which most local bands fail to create. It was formed in 2004 after Dima Shurov and Yuriy Khystochka left Ukraine’s most successful rock band Ocean Elzy and teamed up with Frank. Hip-hop and R&B band Boombox is one of the most successful Ukrainian acts of the last few years, standing out not because of some outer glitz, like its many show biz colleagues, but because of soulful vocals and smart, touching lyrics. Druha Rika is one of the major pop-rock formations on the Ukrainian stage, releasing songs and performing since it was founded in 1996. The band was chosen by Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan to open his Kyiv show in 2003.
Last year Ukrainian singer Lama was chosen the Best Ukrainian Act at MTV Europe Awards, which is considered one of the most significant events in the musical world. During the last 15 years, holders of EMA Awards have been Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Spice Girls, Robbie Williams, Eminem and others.
KONTRAKTOVA SQUARE. Oct. 4, 5 p.m. Free admission.
