Music legend Benjamin Clementine to perform in Kyiv - Full concert details
Benjamin Clementine to perform in Kyiv (photo: Getty Images)
British poet, multi-instrumentalist, and Mercury Prize winner Benjamin Clementine will headline the ethno-electronic festival "Vyrii." His performance will mark his first return to Ukraine since 2018, which the musician himself described as "an echo from our past life" and a gesture of support for Ukrainians.
When and where "Vyrii. Prostoneba" will take place
The festival will be held on August 9–10 at VDNG in Kyiv (in the "Whale" pavilion). Clementine will take the main stage of "Vyrii" on the first day at 20:00.
Organizers describe his performance style as "free, alive, and stirring," and compare his music and voice to "a good dream in turbulent times."
Born on December 7, 1988, in London, Clementine began teaching himself piano at the age of 11, inspired by Erik Satie and Claude Debussy.
At 19, he moved to Paris, where he lived homeless for several years, performing on the streets and in bars. It was during this period that he wrote many of his songs and became a cult figure on the Paris music scene.
Eventually, agents discovered his talent, and he signed with major record labels. His debut album "At Least for Now" won the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2015. In 2019, the French government honored him with the title of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters.
About the festival
The open-air format was deliberately chosen to blend ancient Ukrainian traditions with open space and modern music. The festival will feature three stages: live, electronic, and theatrical.
Other performers scheduled to appear include:
- DAKHABRAKHA
- JAMALA
- ONUKA
- Maryna Krut
- Yulia Yurina
- Pyrih i Batih
- Figurat
- Si Process & Dennis Adu
- ShchukaRyba & Chocollab, and others.
Tickets are already on sale. According to the organizers, visitors who adhere to the festival's dress code will receive a discount on a ticket.
"Vyrii" dress code
The dress code is centered around the ideas of free-form ethnic style, ethnofuturism, wildness, naturalness, and freedom. The aim is to create a cohesive look—from head to toe—that reflects who you might be if you lived in the mythical land of "Vyrii."
This is an invitation to creative self-expression that fuses ancient traditions with futuristic elements, the wildness of nature with absolute freedom.
Organizers suggest drawing inspiration from natural materials, ethnic patterns, unusual silhouettes, and bold accessories.
Besides contributing to the unique atmosphere, adhering to the dress code grants free entry to several categories of attendees. These include veterans, active-duty military personnel, members of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army (UVA), people with disabilities, and retirees (with a pension certificate).
Children under 12 are also admitted free of charge (with a birth certificate). All free-entry categories must present appropriate documentation for verification.
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