American folk-punk collective Gogol Bordello, led by Ukrainian-born frontman Eugene Hütz, are hosting a benefit concert for Ukraine that will be livestreamed tonight at 8pm.
The band will be joined by Patti Smith, Craig Finn & Franz Nicolay (The Hold Steady), Stephin Merritt (The Magnetic Fields), Jesse Malin, Lady Lamb, Marc Roberge (O.A.R.), Matisyahu, and Suzanne Vega.
“Ukraine belongs to Ukrainians,” Hütz said in a statement on Instagram. “We are an ancient independent nation distinctly and forever different from this criminally insane neighbor. The proof you all see now in the fierce mind-blowing battle that the world is witnessing, a battle of Ukrainian people’s choice of freedom and democracy against psychotic totalitarian regime next door.”
“Please help us to win this battle, help us to end this catastrophe immediately and bring the intruder to justice. Please stand with Ukraine in the battle for its democracy and freedom. Please Donate and Fundraise with us. Ukraine needs all of you. All your support counts.”
Hütz, who was born near Kyiv, Ukraine, has been actively calling for support of the victims of the Russian invasion. The war has already killed thousands of Ukrainian civilians and displaced millions of refugees.
The sold out concert will be livestreaming from City Winery in New York City tonight at 8pm. Tickets to the event can be purchased here.
Proceeds from the event will go toward the Come Back Alive foundation, a Ukrainian non-governmental, crowdfunded organization that assists Ukrainian military, volunteers, and their families in the Russo-Ukrainian War.
The band also announced that proceeds from the band’s upcoming Solidaritine Tour will go towards human rights organizations providing relief in Ukraine.
“Ukrainians understand that Putin and his army are now planning to commit a real genocide against their people,” said Hütz. “Your support in these catastrophic days deeply counts.”
