Recommendation from the Kyiv Independent: Lesya Kvartyrynka (Patreon)

Dear Kyiv Independent Community, 

I’m Asya, the community manager at the Kyiv Independent. Some of you may already know me, or even have had direct communication via Discord or email. 

During my university years, I discovered Kyiv’s Lesya Kvartyrynka festival, a creative project that has stayed with me ever since. It began as a small initiative organized by students at a cozy pub, similar to an apartment gig of original underground music. Over time, it grew into a dynamic cultural platform that now includes not only live performances, but also stage design, visual art, social media projects, and a YouTube channel. 

What started as a way to support Ukraine’s young music scene has evolved into a space where culture and purpose meet. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, it has also taken on a strong charitable role by raising funds for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and giving NGOs a platform to share important causes with young audiences.

For me, Lesya Kvartyrynka is more than just a festival. It is a space where, for a few days, you can step into a different world, reconnect with curiosity and creativity, and maybe even rediscover your inner child. At the same time, it is about community: people coming together to celebrate culture and create something meaningful. So if you plan to visit Ukraine, check if there is a chance for you to attend the festival - it will be an extremely unique experience to get to know the Ukrainian underground culture.

The festival takes place twice a year, in late spring or early summer and again in autumn, and for the past three years, I have attended every single one. It is something I genuinely look forward to each time. What makes it even more special is that many of the performances are recorded and shared online, so the experience continues beyond the event itself. I would like to introduce a few of my personal favorites:

Chubareenee is an 8-piece band from Kyiv blending funk, jazz, and rock. I discovered them live at a festival and instantly fell in love with their rich and dynamic sound, which suits almost any mood. Fun fact: they created the musical theme for Lesya Kvartyrynka, which you can hear in most of the festival videos.

Dakh Daughters is a band that emerged from the Dakh Theater in Kyiv, known for its unique cabaret-style performances blending punk rock, rap, and Ukrainian folk music. In this performance, you can hear several songs from their latest album Pandora’s Box, a deeply emotional and powerful work that reflects the reality of life in Ukraine today. I highly recommend exploring more from this album, my personal favorites are “I’m So Small” and “Апокаліпсис.”

Tik Tu have been icons of the Ukrainian indie scene since 2014, and as someone who has been a fan from my school years, finally seeing them live at the festival was truly unforgettable, especially because their playful, slightly chaotic energy and strong musical skills really reflect the spirit of Lesya Kvartyrynka. They perform in both Ukrainian and English, and while I love all of their music, I always say I could listen to “Birdy” and “Nicho Ne Hochu” forever.

It was hard to choose just a few performances, so if this resonates with you, I recommend exploring more of their videos. There are many talented Ukrainian artists waiting to be discovered, especially in the full live recordings from the festivals!