You're reading: Summer music festival season kicks off soon

While some Ukrainian music festivals were canceled because of the economic and political upheaveal in the country, plenty remain for music lovers. Here’s a guide to the best Ukrainian rock, ethno and jazz festivals this summer.

Krayina Mriy
When and where: June 20-21, Kyiv, Pyrohovo folk museum
Lineup: TNMK, Boombox, Vopli Vidoplyasova, Onuka
Hr 50 – 400

Krayina Mriy (Land of Dreams) is an annual rock and ethnic music festival that promotes Ukrainian modern music and authentic traditions. Besides music, the festival will offer Ukrainian dances as well as literary and theatrical performances and also playing of the bandura, a traditional Ukrainian string music instrument.

Alfa Jazz Fest

When and where: June 26-28, Lviv
Lineup: Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter Quartet, George Benson and more.
Hr 400 – 3,000

So far all tickets are booked, but a waiting list is available at www.alfajazzfest.com/buyticket.
This annual festival held in Lviv will be interesting for both experienced jazz lovers and jazz newbies. The performers on the lineup come from Ukraine, Japan, Cuba and the U.S.

Stopudivka
When and where: Aug. 7-9, Dnipropetrovsk
Lineup: Fontaliza, Bahroma, Tabula Rasa, O. Torvald.
Hr 250 – 350

Taking place in the outskirts of Dnipropetrovsk, this small rock festival lacks good infrastructure, and focuses, apart from music, on simple outdoor activities like cycling, jumping on stilts and balance-boarding. All bands on the lineup are Ukrainian.

Zaxid Fest
When and where: Aug. 14-16, Rodatychi village, Lviv Oblast
Lineup: Matisyahu (U.S.), Oomph! (Germany), Exploited (Scotland), Vopli Vidoplyasova (Ukraine)
Hr 970

This year the annual Zaxid Fest music festival will have a main stage, a rock stage, an indie stage, and a night stage with electronic music. The lineup is a blend of rock, hip hop, metal, ethno and electronic music.

Skhid Rock
When and where: Aug. 22-23, Trostyanets, Sumy Oblast
Lineup: The Hardkiss, Brutto, Bahroma, MadCraft, O.Torvald, Fontaliza
Hr 100 – 150

The two-day rock festival will take place on the territory of an 18th century fortress in a small city of Trostyanets in the east of Ukraine. The festival’s name is literally “East Rock.” The full list of participants is yet to be announced.

Koktebel Jazz Festival

When and where: Aug. 22 – Sept. 6, Zatoka village, Odesa Oblast

Lineup and prices are yet to be announced.

Koktebel Jazz is the biggest Ukrainian outdoor jazz festival. The Cinematic Orchestra, Parov Stelar, Nino Katamadze, Bonobo, Submotion Orchestra, Billy’s Band were the gala’s superstars in previous years. This year the list of festival’s participants and tickets prices still remain unknown but the organizers revealed that apart from good jazz the guests will be offered music lectures and movie screenings.

Respublica
When and where: Sept. 4-7, Kamyanets-Podilsky, Khmelnytska Oblast
Lineup: Fontaliza, Boombox, Brutto, Onuka, Megamass
Hr 250

Rock music and street art festival Respublica will take place in Kamyanets-Podilsky, one of the most picturesque cities of western Ukraine. Lectures on urbanism and protest graffiti classes will are on the festival’s program.
Kyiv Post staff writer Nataliya Trach can be reached at [email protected].