Ukrainian Culture Displays Its Defiance At SXSW 2023

Many different countries presented showcases at SXSW, however it was the Ukrainian bands who were invited to come to showcase by SXSW who really made an impact. Some men were given special dispensation to leave the country to promote Ukrainian culture abroad and some weren’t, so their remaining band members had to be a little more creative. There were several official talks, Q+A’s and presentations throughout the week culminating with the We Stand With Ukraine showcase at Inn Cahoots Outdoors on the final day headlined by Eurovision 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra.

Over 140 years after the start of Russification and in the face of the raw trauma of the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the acts were forceful in asserting their cultural identity, voicing their gratitude but also appealing for support and acknowledgement that this is not just an invasion but a war of systems. The three headliners Balaklava Blues, Kazka and Kalush Orchestra all fuse traditional Ukrainian folk elements with modern influences; whether it be polyphony, bagpipes, flute, traditional song or vyshyvanka with EDM, pure pop, rap, dub etc.

Balaklava Blues were a raw, powerful performance with tribal drums, polyphony, catchy hooks expressing their first hand experience of revolution and war as well as the inherited trauma of the Ukrainian experience. Kazka was the delightful, energetic pop performance we all need but with a notably emotional performance of ‘I am not OK’. Finally Kalush Orchestra brought the showcase to an end with their very unique onstage chaos: folk characters.

MC KylymMen breakdancing, humour, rap and a never ending supply of folk instruments: this had everyone, including the other bands performing that night dancing and the non Ukrainian speakers in the audience singing along with their new English language single ‘Changes’.

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Words + Photography: Elinor Jones
Thanks to Khrystyna Shenrok for the photos of Kalush Orchestra with Armani White