The first edition of Ukrainian MusicLab successfully concluded, marking a significant step in supporting Ukrainian artists to build sustainable careers in the European music industry.
This innovative training program, impulsed by the French Institute of Bucharest and launched by Europavox, in collaboration with Control Club and Music Export Ukraine offered valuable resources and opportunities for five Ukrainian artists.
Amid the challenges brought by the war, many Ukrainian artists have been forced to put their projects on hold or seek opportunities abroad. This program was created with a clear mission: to offer them a renewed chance to grow and gain visibility across Europe, levering connections with industry professionals, and providing participants with essential tools to promote their music in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Andra Rotariu of Control Club highlighted the initiative’s broader vision: “I think it’s really important to create a sustainable artistic ecosystem with neighbouring countries, starting with this, and then with artists all across Europe.”
From online workshops to showcases and meetings in Bucharest
The artists—Andrii Barmalii x Oleksandr Yavdyk, TANKATAKA, Farba Kingdom, NFNR, and Postman – selected through an open call, started the program in early October with online workshops and speed meetings. These sessions delved into topics essential for emerging artists, including mastering social media and global communication strategies, insights on PR campaigns and understanding audiences through data analysis.
NFNR, one of the selected artists, reflected on the experience: “From the very beginning, I was inspired by the workshops and topics. The feedback from music professionals during speed meetings was incredibly valuable and empowering.”
Similarly, Tankataka emphasized the program’s transformative impact: “Thanks to Ukrainian MusicLab, I got the opportunity to communicate with experts and rethink my approach as an artist. I now have a clear vision of my artistic journey.”
This experience also proved enriching for the experts, as music journalist James Hendicott reflects: “It was fascinating to gain diverse perspectives on the music industry and engage with artists, each bringing their unique style and approach to promoting their work. As a journalist, it’s rare to prioritize discussions about the industry itself over the music, and I thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity.”
Showcasing talent in Bucharest
The program’s climax came with a three-day event in Bucharest (October 29–31). Four of the participating artists — TANKATAKA, Farba Kingdom, NFNR, and Postman — were able to travel to Bucharest and engage in networking sessions with Romanian artists, media representatives, and industry professionals, including managers and promoters.
The highlight was the showcase evening on October 30 at Control Club, where the artists performed live for a diverse audience of industry professionals and general public.
Ukrainian MusicLab 2024 – Bucharest. Photos: CRTL / Andrei Musat
“I think Bucharest is a great city for music. There are many opportunities and great professionals. It’s an excellent place to implement projects—a true cultural hub for music,” remarks Loïc Meuley, attaché culturel at the French Institute of Bucharest.
Beyond performances, the program offered artists access to professional tools and technical resources to create promotional content. This hands-on approach enabled participants to refine their strategies, develop new ideas, and bring them to life with high-quality audio-visual content.
