Okean Elzy

About the show

Okean Elzy in Budapest as part of the “Help for Ukraine” World Tour

Venue: Barba Negra Red Stage, Budapest
Date: October 19, 2025

Okean Elzy is one of the most influential bands in Ukraine. Formed in 1994 in Lviv, the band has earned recognition not only in its homeland but far beyond its borders — thanks to its profound lyrics, live sound, and the powerful emotional energy of every performance. Over the past 30 years, Okean Elzy has performed on some of the world’s most prominent stages — including London’s Royal Albert Hall, New York’s Madison Square Garden, and The Apollo in Manchester.

The Budapest concert will be part of the fourth leg of the “Help for Ukraine” world tour, dedicated to the band’s 30th anniversary. As part of this tour, Okean Elzy will present two new albums — Toj den’ (“That Day”) and Lighthouse. The program will include premieres of new songs and well-known hits that have long become part of the cultural code of millions of Ukrainians. The tour combines music and charity, with the aim of supporting Ukrainians affected by the full-scale war.

Both albums have already received positive feedback from listeners and critics. The new songs combine O.E.’s familiar emotional style with new musical horizons.

“This album, for me, is associated with awakening. With returning to myself after a long search. It is light, inspired, and genuine,” says Svyatoslav Vakarchuk about Toj den’.
The Lighthouse album addresses an international audience with a message of strength, hope, and light. Its cover, featuring a cherry blossom, symbolizes both annual rebirth and the eternal desire for life.