The Atlas United festival, which took place in Kyiv on July 19-21, showed that cultural events are possible even in wartime
From July 19 to 21, Blockbuster Mall in Kyiv hosted a musical event that was covered by leading Ukrainian and international media, including Vlad Yaremchuk, program director Atlas United commented: “We didn’t even expect to have a chance to hold a festival while the war was going on. The reality showed us that cultural events are still possible in wartime.” Organizing a big festival takes a lot of time, about a year, but Vlad says they got permission to hold the event in 2024 just this spring and still managed to organize the event.
ATLAS UNITED 2024 is a place where a special atmosphere always prevails
Formerly known as Atlas Festival, now rebranded as Atlas United, the festival aims to bring people together through music and entertainment while supporting a noble cause. The organizers position ATLAS UNITED 2024 as “a place where a special atmosphere always prevails. In just a few days, here you can hear most of your favorite musicians, discover new bands, learn more about takmed or social initiatives, and donate to the army!”
Currently, the show pursued a charitable goal – to collect at least 100 million hryvnias for the purchase of ground and air drones to help the defenders of the country. Music enthusiasts from all walks of life came together to celebrate and contribute to the cause. On the last day of the event, the organizers stated that more than UAH 70,000,000 had been collected, i.e. two-thirds of the required amount. But the collection continues until July 23, so you still have time to join this noble cause.
Show must go on!
This year, ATLAS UNITED was staged in a mall in case of an airstrike, which is understandable, especially after the massive attack that Okhmatdit suffered the day before.
The new location of the concert made it possible to combine open and closed space, which could safely accommodate up to 10,000 people. Two scenes were placed in the parking lot of the shopping center, and three more – in the shopping center itself. “There will be more than enough space to evacuate everyone quickly – and we’re talking about minutes,” – Vlad Yaremchuk commented on the decision of the organizers.
There were concerns about whether people already used to ignoring sirens could be persuaded to head for the shelter during an air raid alert. But even in this case, the organizers of the festival had a plan – to move the festival underground, to the sixth stage in the basement parking lot. If the mass of people had to flee to a safe place, there was a “whole stage” and a bar waiting for them, so the music could continue.
ATLAS UNITED 2024: more Ukrainian than foreign headliners
Since its inception in 2015, the ATLAS festival has hosted such famous names as Kasabian, The Chemical Brothers and Liam Gallagher. Unfortunately, it was not possible to invite the same number of international headliners to the event as before. Most of them refused for security reasons. Vlad Yaremchuk understands this decision, but “seeing how international musicians play in Russia now really annoys me. It can be disappointing.”
At the same time, some Ukrainian performers, who drew the attention of the European public to the situation in Ukraine, returned to perform at the festival. So, the solo performer Shmyska, who now lives in Paris, believes: “People sometimes just start to lose hope. They start to lose their dreams. I think our job as artists is to give people that chance to feel themselves again, to dream again “. Shmyska is touring Europe and is worried that people are beginning to forget about Ukraine. Therefore, she strives to make her big concert in Kyiv unforgettable and spectacular, with a light show and frequent costume changes. “This is such a wonderful opportunity to feel alive again,” the passionate singer shares her feelings.
In general, more than 70 artists were expected to perform, among them – the winners of Eurovision 2024, the band Nemo from Switzerland. On several stages, connoisseurs of modern music watched the performances of BOOMBOX, Without Limits, Yevgena Khmary, Druga Ryka, Krikhitka, Structure of Happiness, Sasha Boole and other star bands and performers.
ATLAS UNITED 2024 diary
You can get acquainted with the diary of the cultural event at TG channels “We listened to many great musicians and stand-up artists, met for a cocktail with old acquaintances, learned information about inclusiveness and takmed, and, of course, donated to the Armed Forces!”
So, the headliners of the first day were the band BOOMBOX, on the Main Stage ATLAS UNITED 2024. This is the first performance of musicians in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion. The audience clearly missed the special performances of BOOMBOX, so they were glad to meet their idols.
Svyatoslav Vakarchuk’s performance at the Aurora Stage together with Yaktak was exclusive
Rick’s friend on the West Stage
The highlight of the performance was the performance of Sharon den Adel, the vocalist of Within Temptation, with the Lumos Orchestra – the Lviv Symphony Orchestra. The musicians prepared a special program, the arrangement for which was created by the Ukrainian composer Maria Yaremak. So it is not surprising that all the hits of the legendary Within Temptation sounded in a new way. It was the first performance of a foreign artist of this level in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
Headliners Aurora Stage — KURGAN & AGREGAT made a lot of noise
Headliner Artem Pyvovarov lit up the Main Stage
“The real musical rendezvous we’ve been waiting for. Nice to see”
The “Children of Engineers” band on the Aurora Stage gave many great musical memories.
Connoisseurs also had the opportunity to meet the musician and writer Serhiy Zhadan, his group “Zhadan and Dogs”, colleagues and brothers on the Alley of Social Initiatives.
It seems that the event was a success. ATLAS UNITED 2024 gave unforgettable impressions to all – music lovers and passionate fans of ZSU. And he once again proved that Ukrainians can organize a big holiday and feel alive and happy even when sirens are blaring!
Tatyana Morarash
