DakhaBrakha

Ukrainian ethno-chaos band DakhaBrakha to perform in Tallinn this December

DakhaBrakha, one of Ukraine’s most renowned and distinctive bands, will perform at Paavli Kultuurivabrik in Tallinn on December 5. The concert is part of the tour supporting their latest album “Ptakh”, released at the end of last year. Tickets are on sale at Piletilevi.

Emerging from Kyiv’s experimental Dakh Theatre, world music band DakhaBrakha has become a symbol of contemporary Ukrainian culture - free, brave and independent. DakhaBrakha masterfully combines theatre and music, striking visual performances and a rich, diverse soundscape. Enhanced by the work of Ukrainian video artists, their concerts create an immersive and deeply emotional experience.

The band blends authentic Ukrainian folk songs with rhythms and instruments from around the world. They have performed at prestigious festivals and concert venues across the globe, including Glastonbury, Sziget, Pohoda, Bonnaroo, Roskilde and GlobalFEST, among many others. Their music has taken them to countries from Mexico to South Korea, and this December they will return to Estonia for a concert at Paavli Kultuurivabrik.

On their European tour, DakhaBrakha will present their latest album, “Ptakh” (meaning “Bird” in Ukrainian), which the band spent the past couple of years working on at Kaska Studio in Kyiv before its release last December. The album features 14 tracks, with most of the recording and mixing handled by musician and producer Lesyk Omodada (Pyrih i Batih, Tik Tu). Acclaimed Ukrainian writer and musician Serhiy Zhadan also contributes to the album.

The songs draw inspiration from Ukrainian resistance, the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian spirit, and the unwavering support of people around the world. “Ptakh” is more than just an album title — it is also a powerful symbol in the band’s artistic world, representing freedom and the strong voice of Ukraine.

“‘Ptakh” is a chronicle of how our lives have changed,” the band explains. “Some of these songs were written long before the full-scale invasion began, but during the years of the war, they have taken on new, sometimes even prophetic meanings. The album reflects the sharp contrasts of our time, intertwining the indescribable pain of loss with an unwavering belief in the future.”

“The album is diverse in style and genre, perhaps even a little chaotic. But chaos as the starting point for something new has never frightened us,” the band adds. “We believe this music will become a source of inspiration for some, a source of hope for others, and for others still, a space for reflection or the beginning of a new journey into our musical universe.”

The artwork for the new album was created by DakhaBrakha member Marko Halanevych. The bird motif, which frequently appears in his work, became the album’s central visual symbol, representing freedom and the return home.

The Tallinn concert will feature material from the new album alongside DakhaBrakha’s earlier work. The setlist includes fan favourites such as “Sho z-pod duba”, the hauntingly beautiful “Vesna”, and “Ptakh” - a spiritual anthem of modern Ukraine, with lyrics written by acclaimed author Serhiy Zhadan. One of the emotional highlights of the concert will be “Plyve choven”, a moving tribute to Ukraine’s defenders and those who will never return home.

DakhaBrakha’s concerts are accompanied by powerful video art, including works by Ukrainian artists. Every performance is much more than just a concert - it is an immersive and emotional cultural experience, as well as a call for solidarity.

DakhaBrakha will perform at Paavli Kultuurivabrik in Tallinn on December 5.

Have a look and listen:

DakhaBrakha – Monakh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFJ717atqaw

DakhaBrakha – Baby (Live at KEXP)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1KdGDEkj_U

DakhaBrakha – Yanky (Live at Glastonbury)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGW7lLbx8kE