Entertainment
Imagine Dragons on the band’s ‘humbling’ Ukraine ambassadorship: ‘Any recognition feels silly when you’re simply raising your voice’-Tori Brazier-Entertainment – Metro
The rockers have been vocal in their support of the nation.
The rock band have committed themselves to helping Ukraine (Picture: Yuri Gryaznov)
Imagine Dragons were ‘honoured’ to be named ambassadors for Ukraine’s humanitarian aid platform United24 in July, a fundraising initiative announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this year.
The Radioactive rockers immediately collaborated with First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska on a project to help buy ambulances fully equipped to help save thousands of lives, with each C-type vehicle costing around €100,000 (£84,000).
As of Friday, 57 have now been acquired.
Lead singer Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee and drummer Daniel Platzman also met virtually with President Zelensky to discuss future collaborations as their ambassadorship was announced.
Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, frontman Dan reflected on how it felt to have been recognised as official ambassadors to Ukraine through United24 by President Zelensky, calling it ‘humbling’.
‘It’s an honour to help in any way we can, but it’s also a little humbling because any recognition feels silly when you’re simply raising your voice,’ he said.
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Dan Reynolds, Daniel Platzman, Wayne Sermon and Ben McKee of Imagine Dragons (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for MTV)
Dan and his bandmates were keen to help however they could (Picture: Julia Weber)
‘What our friends in Ukraine are going through is an absolute nightmare. Every single day, they are fighting for their lives and freedom. If there’s some way we can help, we’re going to do it.’
The band are also aware of exactly how they can help the country as it approaches six months since Russia invaded.
‘When we spoke to President Zelensky we asked him what his biggest need was. Without hesitating, he said, “Don’t stop talking about us.” We live in a 24-hour news cycle world where even critical things are forgotten a few days later, and the war in Ukraine is no different. If we can help keep the story in peoples’ minds, we’ll at least have done what he asked.
Imagine Dragons visited Ukraine on their 2018 tour for the first time but have a deep affection for it, as well as personal connections.
Imagine Dragons had hoped to tour again to Ukraine in 2022, but had to cancel their show scheduled for June as Russia invaded (Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Dan has family links to the country (Picture: Yuri Gryaznov)
They had planned to play there again this year as part of their 2022 Mercury Tour but cancelled their shows both there and in Russia ‘until further notice’ in solidarity with the nation – as well as pulling their music from Russian shelves – when war broke out.
Dan shared: ‘We had a pretty incredible time the last time we played, and it was hard to have to cancel our show on this current tour. The people are so warm and welcoming.
‘My sister-in-law actually lived there for a few years, and I have been working with my brother on a (non-music) side project with a team entirely based there for years now.
‘So we do have a lot of connections with the country, but on a human level I think all of us are connected to any democracy fighting for freedom in 2022.’
The group are Grammy winners have sold over 75 million records worldwide (Picture: Toni Anne Barson/FilmMagic)
As their role was revealed, Dan said in a statement: ‘We love the people of Ukraine and want to help in any way possible. Injustices like this can only be conquered when people around the world come together. We stand by the beautiful people of Ukraine and their courageous leader President Zelensky. We will work with United24 and local leaders to continually find ways to raise awareness and funds for the people until this unjust war ends.
‘We look forward to the day when we can play a concert again in Kyiv and celebrate freedom, life and music with the resilient and strong people of Ukraine.’
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The President added: ‘In 2018, you visited our country for the first time. In 2022, you are still doing your best so that the voice of Ukraine continues to be heard throughout the world. Thank you for this!’
The Grammy and nine-time Billboard Music Award winners have joined footballer Andriy Shevchenko, tennis star Elina Svitolina, actor Liev Schreiber and Balenciaga’s artistic director Demna as ambassadors.
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