Pet Shop Boys to attend London Ukraine rally with performance from Antytila

Pet Shop Boys have confirmed that they will be attending a Ukraine rally in London later today (February 24).

• READ MORE: Ukrainian band Antytila talk to us from the frontline ahead of benefit show: “We try to show people some light”
  

The event is scheduled for Trafalgar Square and will be taking place from 6:30pm GMT tonight. Dubbed ‘Heart-Broken But Unbroken’, it will be taking place on the third anniversary of the war on the country and is backed by a coalition of Ukrainian organisations.

“We unite, not just for ourselves, but for Ukraine’s sovereignty, freedom, and future. Our presence will be a powerful statement – one that cannot be ignored,” reads a description on Instagram. “This is more than a rally; it’s a declaration. A declaration that Ukraine’s voice must be heard. A declaration that we will not rest until peace and justice prevail. Stand with Ukraine.”

It also adds that “British politicians, Ukrainian officials, and representatives from our allied nations” have offered backing, and a performance will be held by the Ukrainian band Antytila.

Now, Pet Shop Boys have shared a new statement online confirming that they will be in attendance for the rally. They made the announcement last night (February 23), uploading a poster for the event on Facebook and writing the caption: “See you there!”

Thousands have been killed since Russia commenced a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and a peace deal has yet to be reached in the three years since. Outlets including NPR have recalled how the recent re-election of Donald Trump to US President has had an impact on the circumstances, with Russia’s bargaining power seemingly rising.

Upon Trump returning to the White House last month, he stated that he wanted to end the war quickly, and he has since gone on to organise discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as American and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia. Some, however, have increasing concerns that the US President is inclined to find a resolution that is in favour of Moscow.

European leaders are currently in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding an end to the conflict, after the president said he is willing to step down in exchange for NATO membership for his country. His comments came in the wake of the largest single drone attack of the war – with officials saying that 267 were launched into the country last night (February 23), resulting in casualties.

As for the performance from Antytila at tonight’s rally, the Ukrainian pop-rock band formed in 2007 and have released six studio albums. They were planning a stadium tour in their home country in 2022 before the war started, and went on to serve as soldiers upon the news breaking.

That year they posted a video with footage they’d captured from the frontlines to show the devastation seen across Ukraine, saying: “You should know this, that we have no choice but to defend our country, and we will do this until we get the victory of course.”

They also spoke to NME from the frontline and explained how they hoped their music could come as a message of support for those struggling because of the war. Frontman Taras Topolia said at the time: “We’re not just for entertainment – we like to say something important through our music. We try to show people some light and say that everything will be alright, even if it seems hard right now.”

He continued: “We try to explain to our fans how to resist and live through dark times, as much as we love to write songs for fun and dancing.”

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A post shared by Official Page of SUPPORT UKRAINE / LONDON EUROMAIDAN (@supportukraine.uk)

Those comments also came around the time of the two-hour Concert For Ukraine, which was held in aid of the Disasters Emergency Committee‘s (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, and saw performances from Manic Street Preachers, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Paloma Faith, Camila Cabello, Becky Hill, Anne Marie and Ed Sheeran.

The band have continued to raise awareness in the time since, both joining Ed Sheeran at a gig in Poland – where they gave a live debut of their collaborative remix of ‘2step’ – and then bringing out both Bono and The Edge from U2 while they were on stage at Electric Brixton in 2023. Funds from that London show were also donated to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and humanitarian aid.

Earlier today, it was reported that U2 had a shared message and piano piece in support of Ukraine and President Zelenskyy to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

The post Pet Shop Boys to attend London Ukraine rally with performance from Antytila appeared first on NME.