The cult Ukrainian rock band Bratia Hadiukiny resumed active concert activities in the autumn of 2026, embarking on a tour titled "Plus". The updated lineup—Ihor Melnychuk (vocals and bass guitar), Pavlo Krakhmaliov (vocals and keyboards), and new vocalist Kostiantyn Dunets—has already played concerts in Kharkiv and Lviv, where the first performance took place on September 11 at the Pokolinnia festival. Seven more cities lie ahead: Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Stryi, Lutsk, Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, and Ternopil. At every concert, the band raises funds for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which, according to the members, is the main meaning of their return to the stage.
"Chuvaky, vse chtko!" — Three versions of one slogan
The tour announcement was accompanied by the phrase "Chuvaky, vse chtko!" ("Guys, everything is sharp/cool!"), which sparked a conversation about what this expression means to each musician. Ihor Melnychuk decodes the tour title "Plus" as "plus to everything good, minus to enemies," and connects the slogan itself to the idea that "everything in existence was once a dream." Pavlo Krakhmaliov sees the phrase as a simple confirmation that "everything is liked and everything is going normally." Kostiantyn Dunets, in turn, interprets "vse chtko" as the band moving in the right direction: "This is rock and roll! Now we are touring, writing a new album, and most importantly, there is a benefit from this: at all concerts we hold fundraisers for the AFU."
Prophetic songs and the question of surzhyk
The songs of Bratia Hadiukiny have repeatedly been called prophetic, and in the interview, the musicians admitted that certain compositions sound especially sharp under current circumstances. Kostiantyn Dunets highlighted the track "Na Ukraini lad i spokii" ("Order and Peace in Ukraine"), explaining that "some people get the impression that what is happening now is normal," whereas in reality "you desperately want order, peace, and victory." Ihor Melnychuk ironically recalled the song "Ide nyny viina" ("War is Going Now"), written, according to him, around 2020: "I wish I hadn't written it...". A separate topic of conversation was surzhyk—the band's signature language style. Melnychuk stated that "clearly, speech must be living. The main thing is subtle content. A dialect won't save bullshit," and Dunets added that "the lexicon currently in use will be enough for everyone."
Memory of Kuzia: Advice that hasn't aged
In 2009, Serhii Kuzminsky—the legendary leader of the band, known to members and fans as Kuzia—passed away. In the interview, the musicians recalled his instructions. Ihor Melnychuk quoted the key phrase: "Serhii said—everything should be easy. Like an inhalation and exhalation." Kostiantyn Dunets, who did not know Kuzminsky personally, suggested that he "would have advised to let things go a bit." After Kuzminsky's death, the band had already returned to active activity once—in 2014, releasing the album "Made in Ukraine". The current return is the second one, and according to the participants, it opens "a new page in the history" of the collective.
A new generation of listeners and a presidential award
The musicians are surprised that the younger generation is discovering Bratia Hadiukiny only now. Ihor Melnychuk humorously noted: "Better ask them—what are we surprising them with! I hope not with stupidity. Because they are arch-smart. It's even scary and makes one envious." Pavlo Krakhmaliov and Ihor Melnychuk received the presidential award "National Legend of Ukraine", but they treat this title with restraint. Krakhmaliov said: "That's what people say among themselves! I don't know anything about that." Melnychuk added: "I hope I will never feel it. Legends are our warriors. Men and women who are fiercely fighting the devil."
One song about modern Ukraine
When asked what a single song about modern Ukraine would be like—sad, angry, or ironic—the musicians answered in their signature style. Pavlo Krakhmaliov compared Ukraine to a "beautiful matriarchal country" and stated: "And I love beautiful ironic girls!". Kostiantyn Dunets admitted: "I have such a character that all my anger turns into irony, so most likely, it would be ironic." And Ihor Melnychuk, answering the question of what a new "Chervona fira" would be about, briefly said: "Probably, about a 'Chervona fura' burning on the Crimean Bridge." The band continues to work on a new album, and its release is expected to be the next stage in the history of the collective, which, in their own words, is "opening a new page."
