Photos Courtesy of Eugene Hütz
Punk rockers Gogol Bordello performed an unannounced show in the far-off reaches of Eastern Europe earlier this week. Vice World News first reported that the single set performance took place at an undisclosed location, which was deemed strictly classified in the initial news story, exclusively for Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline, and those affected by the ongoing atrocities of war.
The show occurred last week and represented a special moment for Gogol Bordello’s frontman, the Ukrainian-born Eugene Hütz, who appeared on a makeshift battlefield stage during the high-energy performance that the bandleader described as “An opportunity to support our fighters, defenders, border guards and some refugees with our band.”
In a video shared on Twitter (see below), Hütz describes the intention behind the performance to “support musically, morally, spiritually, and one more time see that music remains to be a very serious force, very serious weapon of defense for people for whom burning out and getting tired of war is not an option.”
Moreover, he ended the video with a powerful message to viewers and a reminder that the fight in Ukraine is ongoing and a present cause for worry in the lives of many. Hütz concluded, “protecting European values, democracy. Everything that you grew to enjoy.”
The performance featured members of the Ukrainian military, specifically those affiliated with the National Border Guard Service Orchestra, who ripped into several thoroughly practiced numbers in front of a crowd consisting of approximately 50 Ukrainian soldiers ranging in age and gender, a K-9 unit and a group of green beret donning special forces troops.
Gogol Bordello’s gig saw a run-through of their 2022 track “Teroborona (Civil Defense),” a tune dedicated to those who volunteered their safety to defend Ukraine. Later, the band landed on a reworked rendition of “Forces of Victory,” which saw the added lyrics of Ukraine poet Serhiy Zhadan. Next, a section of rhythmic boot stomps accompanied a take on “Start Wearing Purple” before the band turned to the traditional leaning “Pala Tute.”
The band’s concert saw an energized Hütz leap into the crowd, embracing his deserving audience, who were more than willing to add their own flavor to the set with traditional stage-side dancing, clapping hands and shaking hips, as a well-deserved break from the intensity and endless of battle ranging around them.
For those interested in helping a worthy cause, Hütz shed light on Razom For Ukraine, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization run by Ukrainians and Ukrainian Americans with the mission “ to unlock the potential of Ukraine.” To donate or learn more, visit razomforukraine.org.
Exclusive: We watched @GogolBordello play a secret gig in Ukraine.
VICE World News was in attendance as the international punks and their Ukrainian-born frontman Eugene Hütz performed an exclusive set for soldiers at an undisclosed location. https://t.co/MefBXXzf9Z pic.twitter.com/q6EoBiEWVY
— VICE World News (@VICEWorldNews) August 24, 2022