Carlisle band Hardwicke Circus gave a one-off performance, A Night for Ukraine, at Carlisle Cathedral, last night writes Veronika Zolotoverkha.
After their First of its Kind tour which took in Ukraine, the band played an electrifying performance of their music and screened a documentary made on tour for over 600 people.
In June, the band headed over to Ukraine, playing shows and workshops in Kyiv, Lviv, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Kharkiv and at a military base, which was recorded for a new live album.
Vocalist Jonnie Foster said: “We felt it was an important thing to do. We are musicians, and music has no borders.
“We’ve discussed how we can support Ukraine in whatever way we can, so we decided to put our music where our mouth is and go there.”
Of their Night for Ukraine performance, the band said: “This is a real one-off gig in the heart of Carlisle.
“Coming back from Ukraine we wanted to commemorate this first-of-its-kind tour with the people of Carlisle in the city’s most important and spectacular building.
“It’s the perfect place to play a concert, host a Q&A, screen a tour documentary, and spread a message of hope through music.”
Special guest Joe King Carrasco, who performed with Hardwicke Circus on their Ukraine tour, added his amazing guitar virtuosity to the evening’s performance.
Night for Ukraine was supported by Armstrong Watson.
Stephen McCullough, partner, said: “When we heard about Hardwicke Circus’s idea to tour to Ukraine it seemed a mad idea; however, the guys had a vision and determination to make it happen, which we were keen to support.”
During the Q&A session, Adrian Simpson, founder of Mission Aid For Ukraine, talked about the volunteer initiative dedicated to delivering essential aid, including vehicles and medical kits, directly to frontline medics and military brigades.
All donations made during the concert will go towards sending a medical vehicle to the frontline of the war.
