Atlas United: Ukraine music festival back despite war

How do you stage a music pageant for 25,000 individuals while you’re beneath risk from a possible Russian missile assault?

That is a query Vlad Yaremchuk has been attempting to reply for the previous few months.

He is the programme director of Atlas United, Ukraine’s greatest music pageant.

The occasion’s on account of return this weekend for the primary time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of the nation in February 2022.

However it’s not fairly enterprise as normal – this yr’s occasion has relocated to a shopping center in case of an airstrike.

When Vlad speaks to BBC Newsbeat, Atlas has simply been pushed again per week after a collection of lethal missile assaults, together with one which hit a kids’s hospital.

He admits that there is been numerous stress within the lead-up to this yr’s occasion, however he is optimistic about it going forward.

“To lastly see individuals coming into the pageant for the primary time might be thrilling,” he says.

“We have actually missed that feeling.”

Because it started in 2015 Atlas, held in Ukrainian capital Kyiv, has hosted big names corresponding to Kasabian, The Chemical Brothers and Liam Gallagher.

Organising a giant pageant takes time, however Vlad says they solely acquired the go-ahead for 2024’s occasion this spring.

“Usually for a pageant of this dimension you would want a yr or extra to organise it,” he says.

“We did not even count on to have an opportunity to do a pageant whereas the battle continues to be occurring.”

However, he provides: “The fact confirmed us that cultural occasions are nonetheless attainable in wartime.”

Vlad says Atlas is anticipating about 25,000 followers, crew and artists to be on web site, whereas different occasions have solely had a most of 10,000.

With all these individuals in a single place, a possible air assault is a big concern.

Vlad says the answer has been the model new venue – two levels erected within the automotive park of a Kyiv buying centre.

“It offers us a shelter which might match greater than 100,000 individuals,” says Vlad.

“There might be greater than sufficient area to get everybody evacuated shortly — and we’re speaking minutes.”

Vlad says it may be difficult to persuade individuals – who’re so used to listening to air-raid sirens – to move for a shelter when the alarm is raised.

However he says there is a plan for that too – take the pageant underground.

If the group does must flee to security Vlad says there’s “a complete stage” and a bar so the music can proceed.

One factor that might be lacking this yr is worldwide headliners.

Vlad says they had been approached however most turned it down over security issues.

He says he understands the choice, however “seeing musicians taking part in in Russia proper now actually ticks me off”.

“That may be irritating,” he says.

“But when individuals truthfully gave it a thought and determined that is not for them as a result of they’re scared for his or her life, that is honest.”

It does imply that extra homegrown acts will get an opportunity to take among the prime slots on the invoice.

That features Vitalii and Marina from indie band Disappeared Utterly.

“Folks want some pleasure of their lives, even via these exhausting occasions,” says Vitalii.

Marina says: “It is at all times good to collect along with individuals and to rejoice life itself.

“To only bear in mind the fun of on a regular basis life, since you may not have it tomorrow.

“Respect these moments and admire the individuals round you whilst you can.”

Additionally they say that after years of assaults from the air, they’re now not anxious about performing outdoors.

“We acquired used to this. It sounds unhealthy, as a result of it is battle, and we may die. However life is occurring so we have to adapt,” says Vitalii.

Whereas a pageant would possibly appear to be an opportunity to overlook concerning the battle for a day, Ukraine’s ongoing battle in opposition to Russia is mirrored by Atlas United.

The pageant hopes to boost no less than €2m (£1.7m), with most being spent on drones to assist troopers on the entrance line.

And a few Ukrainian acts who’ve been elevating consciousness overseas are on account of return to carry out of their residence nation.

Solo artist Shmiska, who now lives in Paris, says it is essential to come back again for the pageant.

“Folks generally simply begin to lose their hope. They begin to lose their desires,” she says.

“I feel, as artists, it is our job to provide individuals this opportunity to really feel once more, to dream once more.”

Shmiska performs throughout Europe and says she worries individuals are beginning to overlook about Ukraine.

So she’s aiming to make her huge present in Kyiv memorable, with mild exhibits and loads of costume adjustments.

“It is such a giant alternative to really feel alive once more,” she says.

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