With roots stretching from Georgia to Ukraine, and voices that resonate in a dozen languages, Millennium Band is more than just a musical group—they’re a cultural phenomenon. Known for their electrifying live performances and multi-genre repertoire, this international trio has quickly become one of the most sought-after live acts in the Chicago area. We sat down with band members Arthur, Diana, and Lookinich to talk music, mission, and the magic of harmony—on stage and off.
How did the idea of creating Millennium Band come about, and what inspired you to unite in this particular lineup? You know, there’s no such thing as a truly random meeting—but our encounter definitely felt like fate. We crossed paths at several events and realized we were not only on the same artistic wavelength but also shared a unique kind of creative energy that’s hard to find.
Each of us comes from a different cultural background, which makes our collaboration incredibly dynamic. Once we performed together a few times, it was clear—we had something special. We decided to form a band that could reflect our international spirit and bring something truly fresh to Chicago’s event scene. And honestly, there’s nothing quite like us here right now.
Tell us about the band’s repertoire. What musical styles dominate your performances, and how do you choose your songs? Millennium Band is all about musical diversity. Our shows often bring together audiences from 10 or more nationalities—so we’ve made it our mission to sing in a variety of languages and styles to connect with everyone.
From Ukrainian folk and Georgian rap to Latin, Italian, French, Moldovan, and English-language hits, we tailor each performance to the crowd.
Each of us also writes original music. Arthur collaborates with Georgian musicians, Sviatoslav composes both in Ukraine and the U.S., and I (Diana) am working on my own releases as well.
We’re even brainstorming our first original track as a band. It’s something we’re really excited about—creating something that’s authentically ours.
You’ve performed at many events in Chicago and across Illinois. Which performance stands out the most and why? That’s true—we’ve played all over the city and beyond! Every event is unique, and we’ve learned to stay flexible no matter what.
Sometimes the sound cuts out mid-show, or a backing track fails. At one recent charity event, the music suddenly went super quiet, so we sang two songs completely a cappella—with the crowd singing along! It turned out to be one of the most memorable moments, and the audience loved it.
It just goes to show that the energy between us and the audience is everything.
What do you believe makes Millennium Band unique compared to other cover bands? Our diversity is our superpower. Each of us represents a different culture and country, which gives us the ability to perform in a wide range of languages and styles.
That multicultural richness lets us create unforgettable, international celebrations—no matter who’s in the audience.
We also bring serious experience. We’ve all been part of national and international projects, TV shows, and vocal competitions in our home countries. That experience helps us connect deeply and professionally with any crowd.
In a way, we’re not just a band—we’re a bridge between cultures.
Have you performed at charity events? How do you view the role of music in social causes? To us, music isn’t just an art form—it’s a force of nature. It has the power to heal, to lift people out of their worries, and to reset their energy.
Music can shift perspectives and guide people toward higher emotional frequencies.
That’s why we always gladly take part in charity events—especially when there’s a real mission behind them.
One recent highlight was a massive Ukrainian community festival in Chicago where we performed for over a thousand attendees.
We sang, celebrated, and also raised awareness and support for a good cause. It felt incredible to be part of something that brought people joy while also doing meaningful work.
What’s most important to you as a band during a performance: technical perfection, emotional connection with the audience, or something else? Everything starts with good sound. We perform exclusively live, so having the right equipment and a sound engineer who understands our needs is essential.
Sometimes we have to manage without a dedicated technician—when that happens, Arthur takes over all the technical setup. He’s our go-to guy for equipment and sound checks.
Once everything’s in place, our focus shifts to emotion and energy. Backstage vibes are key—we always keep it positive and fun, which translates directly into how we perform on stage.
Reading the room is also an art. Knowing when to switch songs, how to pace the set—that comes from years of experience.
Ultimately, our strength lies in harmony: harmony between each other, with the crowd, and with the music itself. When you’re surrounded by “your people” on stage—both professionally and personally—magic happens.
ARTUR (GEORGIA)
Tell us about your musical journey. How have Georgia’s cultural traditions influenced your style? Georgia is a deeply musical nation. Music is woven into every celebration, every table gathering. When people think of Georgian culture, they imagine a richly set table, warm hospitality, and, of course, traditional polyphonic singing that gives you chills.
Growing up, I was more drawn to international music—modern sounds, global artists, and contemporary styles. I knew all the major performers of the time and followed global music trends closely.
But in recent years, I’ve found myself reconnecting with my roots—exploring Georgian music, especially the modern scene. I’m now working on writing songs in my native language.
To do that properly, I plan to return to Georgia and collaborate with some incredibly talented musician friends. We’ve already created English-language tracks together, and now I want to bring that creative energy into songs in Georgian too.
8. What emotions do you feel when performing for an American audience? Is there a difference between Georgian and American crowds? American audiences are incredibly diverse—just like the country itself. People value individuality, freedom of expression, and are very open to new sounds and artistic experimentation.
In Georgia, the culture is more collectivist.There’s a deep respect for traditions, elders, and that strong sense of community.
When it comes to performances, both audiences love to celebrate—but in different ways. Americans are open to anything fresh and unique, while Georgians have a special place in their hearts for traditional elements like polyphonic singing and folk dancing.
At our shows, whether it’s a wedding, birthday, christening, or even a bar mitzvah—people are ready to party!
We always tailor our setlist to the event. If the client requests a specific song we don’t yet perform, we’ll learn it for them. That way, our repertoire keeps expanding with each show.
No matter where people are from, our goal is to make sure the client and their guests leave with beautiful memories and full hearts.
DIANA (UKRAINE)
You were once part of the Ukrainian group “Hot Chocolate.” How did that experience shape your career and growth as a performer? It was an amazing chapter in my life. I had been performing since childhood—both solo and with ensembles—so the stage was already familiar territory.
But joining Hot Chocolate and working with my then-producer Dmytro Klymashenko opened a whole new level of professional development for me.
One of the biggest transformations came in the studio. I not only recorded songs for the group but also demo tracks for other artists and background vocals for many well-known pop stars.
I spent countless hours in the studio and truly fell in love with the process—from recording to hearing the final polished version.
That time also brought nonstop touring across various cities and countries, performing for very different audiences. That experience taught me how to adapt to any crowd—something I still apply today with Millennium Band, where we often sing for multicultural, multilingual audiences with diverse musical tastes.
Thanks to all those years on the road, I feel fully equipped to deliver the kind of energy, charisma, and emotional connection that each performance deserves.
You’ve competed in many international music contests. How has that experience helped you in your current role with Millennium Band? Oh yes! I started competing internationally when I was just six years old. My parents saw that I was constantly singing, so they enrolled me in a vocal ensemble and a music school for piano—and that’s how my musical path officially began.
Within a few months, I was already taking part in international competitions and winning top prizes. I represented my hometown of Luhansk so many times that in 1995, the mayor even entered me into the city’s Book of Honor.
I still have every diploma and certificate I earned—and I brought them with me to the United States!
Every time I step on stage, it feels like all those moments have built up to this. They shaped me into the artist I am today.
And of course, now I get to share the stage with two incredibly talented musicians—my fellow Millennium Band members.
Performing with them is both inspiring and easy. We lift each other up, and that chemistry really shines through in our shows.
LOOKINICH (UKRAINE)
You’re also known as an event organizer in Chicago. How has that experience helped in developing Millennium Band? Working in the event scene gives me a grounded perspective and a clear understanding of who we’re performing for—our audience.
Being part of the social and cultural life in Chicago through URC Radio and Power Media helps us stay connected with both our existing clients and future ones.
We’re not just performing—we’re part of the city’s pulse. This connection allows us to craft shows that reflect our professionalism, creativity, and potential.
It’s also about synergy: when you’re part of the events, you understand the full picture—from logistics and flow to audience dynamics. That insight helps us deliver performances that truly resonate.
What new ideas would you like to bring to Millennium Band to make your shows even more unforgettable? We’re full of ambition when it comes to expanding our format. Right now, Millennium is already a multi-format band.
That means we’re just as comfortable performing elegant, conservative sets at weddings as we are turning up the volume for a full-on dance party.
Arthur, one of our members, is also a professional DJ. We have all the equipment—DJ decks, full sound system, lighting—everything needed to throw a high-energy event with styles ranging from pop and disco to R&B and even techno.
Our repertoire supports that kind of flexibility, and so does our experience.
We love reinventing ourselves to match the moment. That’s the beauty of our band—we’re ready for anything.
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