Serhii Tanchynets from "Bez Obmezhen": "If you’re not fighting, you’re doing everything for those who are"

This year, Serhiy Tanchynets, the frontman of the band "Bez Obmezhen", celebrated his birthday on stage again. But for him, it's not just a concert. It's an opportunity to raise funds for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, support sniper units, donate FPV drones, and give listeners two hours of sincerity and strength.

In a conversation with LIGA.Life , the musician talks about the meaning of his songs, inspiration from the Ukrainian military, the importance of rituals at home — and why after the victory they will play no less than now.

About the concert and charitable mission

— This year's concert at the Palace of Sports coincides with your birthday. What does it mean to you to celebrate it on stage — in conditions of war, in front of thousands of spectators?

— I celebrate all the last years in this way – on stage. For me, large-scale celebrations without a charitable purpose make no sense under these circumstances. And such a celebration helps us accumulate funds, from which we then cover the urgent requests of the Ukrainian military. Such a peculiar circle of like-minded people — people who love music Bez Obmezhen and know: when buying a ticket to a concert, they also donate, part of the funds go to drones or cars.

— Part of the funds from the concert will be used to equip SBU sniper units, purchase FPV drones, armor, and rehabilitate military personnel. How did you decide to support these areas?

— We constantly receive many requests from the military and a full-scale war has shown us that FPVs are very effective, but, unfortunately, they also have a high cost, so we constantly purchase and transfer them. Most of the requests we close are either from my military friends or friends of the team.

Since 2014 and to this day, we have had a considerable number of such acquaintances, so there are many requests. Regarding large-scale projects: we are currently holding a "WOGON Bez Obmezhen 2.0" fundraiser together with the WOG gas station, the funds from which will be directed to providing SBU snipers and rehabilitating fighters of the Third Separate Assault Brigade. We approve such projects together with our partner, based on the requests and needs that we receive.

— This is not the first time you have combined music and charity. How has your attitude towards helping the army changed over the years — what is personally important to you in this matter?

— We started combining concert activities with volunteer work back in 2014. Back then, it was more about social activity: concerts for military personnel in hospitals or on military bases. Now we also play such concerts, but the main focus has shifted to financial support. Absolutely all of our concerts have a charitable component.

The attitude towards aid has not changed at all since 2014: there is a request from the military – "Bez Obmezhen" has the ability to close it, and if there is no possibility, we will definitely find it.

It is important for us that the people who defend our Independence have everything they need to work effectively and directly preserve their own lives.

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— How do you feel: do listeners now come to concerts more for the music or for the opportunity to help?

— In our case, you can't separate what's more and what's less. These are two inseparable components that combine to create a pleasant and productive time.

By purchasing tickets to our concerts, you will already be donating to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as the ticket price includes a percentage that will go towards closing requests.

About music, war and meanings

— Many of your songs have a special depth and sincerity. Once, Azovstal defender Mykhailo Dianov said: "It seems as if Serhiy himself went through the war." Do you feel this in your own performance?

— Some higher powers probably give people the ability to vividly feel the reality that surrounds you. I just emotionally experience all the events and see what is happening around me and turn it into song lyrics.

— What has been your main source of inspiration over the past two years — in times when everyone is hurting?

— Now a big incentive for me is the Ukrainian military. If they, sitting in the trenches and doing titanic work every day, don't get dirty, then I simply have no right to do so. The greatest inspiration, of course, is love. Our relationship is a daily and immeasurable inspiration. And also, infrequent in today's realities, but such important meetings with children in person.

— Are there any songs that you sing differently now than before 2022? Maybe some composition has acquired a new meaning?

For me, there are no such songs. We have been in the reality of war since 2014. "My Country" was written in 2018, "To the Heroes" and "Free People" in 2021. When writing these songs, I already had a certain idea in them, so for me – no, the meaning has not changed. For others – perhaps these songs have acquired a different or larger meaning.

— What is the band working on now — are there any new songs, an album, maybe something unexpected for the listener?

— Just the other day, for the first time in our history, we announced the vinyl Bez Obmezhen. It contains 12 songs that were most loved by listeners. Before that, the records were sold exclusively at auctions during our tour concerts, as one of the lots.

When it will be available for free sale, we will announce it on our social media pages, but in the meantime you can buy it in the lobby of the Palace of Sports on May 8 and 10. If, of course, you have time, because only 50 copies are on sale. Regarding new music, I don't have completely finished material. From time to time, a melody or lines of text appear, but it hasn't yet developed into a complete work. As I often say, everything I have to write, I will definitely write.

bout the stage, power and future

— You are often on tour, supporting the army, and creating new music. Where do you get the energy to not burn out?

— At the moment, at home. I live in a private house and doing something in the yard or just mowing the lawn is my kind of meditation. Also, of course, spending time with my beloved or talking to my children via video call.

— How has your stage changed in recent years — not only technically, but internally? What is the most important thing about performing now?

— In principle, it hasn't changed at all. Technically, of course, it's improved: more light and better sound, which is natural. Technology and time don't stand still. And the most important thing about the performance is that we can still work and play our own music, not forgetting who thanks to whom and accumulating funds for them for the necessary help.

— What place does music currently occupy in your life? Is it more of a salvation, a duty, or a form of interaction with the world?

— "Salvation" is not the right word. I love what I do and there is no need to save me from music. However, it is definitely a duty. The opinion that I will adhere to until the end of the war with a Ukrainian Victory is that if you are not fighting, you do everything for those who are fighting. That is why we play all our concerts – to accumulate funds for the defense forces. And after the Victory, we will be engaged in reconstruction. Therefore, yes, it is a duty that I really like.

— What would you like the listener to take away with them after the concert at the Palace of Sports — what emotion or thought?

I would like everyone to relax a bit during the concert. The fact that they came means that they have already made a donation to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, so for these two hours you can just relax and sing your favorite songs as much as you can.

Then, of course, with new strength, we can help the military or directly continue to defend our Independence. But the main goal during the concert is to leave all thoughts outside the hall and enjoy the moment with gratitude to the people who are at the front.

PS The solo concert of the band "Bez Obmezhen" will take place on May 10 at the Palace of Sports.

Tickets – www.bezobmezhen.ua .