Go A
{{Short description|Ukrainian band}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Go_A}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Go_A
| background = group_or_band
| logo =
| image = Go A Paradiso 2023.jpg
| image_size = 250
| caption = Go_A at Paradiso in 2023
| years_active = {{Start date|2012}}–present
| genre = {{hlist|Folk rock|folktronica}}
| current_members = Kateryna Pavlenko
Taras Shevchenko
Ihor Didenchuk
Ivan Hryhoriak
| past_members =
| label = Moon Records Ukraine
| native_name = Ґоу_Ей
| native_name_lang = ukr
| website = {{URL|https://go-a-band.com/}}
}}
Go_A ({{langx|uk|Ґоу_Ей}}) is a Ukrainian folktronica band formed in 2012. The band represented Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, performing "Shum", and placed fifth in the final.
The band's name was made by combining the English word "Go" with the Greek letter "Alpha", which symbolizes the beginning of everything, and the band's name is symbolic for "return to the roots".{{Cite web | url=https://www.vezha.org/gurt-go-a/ | title=Про гурт "Go-A" Телерадіокомпанія "ВЕЖА" | trans-title=About the band "Go-A" TV and radio company "TOWER" | language=uk | access-date=22 February 2020 | archive-date=16 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016161058/https://www.vezha.org/gurt-go-a/ | url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2020-02-24 |title=Переможці нацвідбору на "Євробачення": 10 цікавих фактів про гурт Go-A |url=https://elle.ua/ludi/novosty/trumfatori-nacvdboru-vrobachennya-10-ckavih-faktv-pro-gurt-go-a/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Elle – модний жіночий журнал |language=uk}}{{Cite web |last=Кириленко |first=Оксана |date=2020-02-11 |title=Фіналісти першого півфіналу нацвідбору на «Євробачення-2020» гурт Gо_A, хто вони? |url=https://poglyad.tv/finalisty-pershogo-pivfinalu-natsvidboru-na-yevrobachennya-2020-gurt-go-a-hto-vony-article |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=poglyad.tv |publisher=Погляд |language=uk-UA}}{{Cite web |last=Кобилюк |first=Микола |date=2020-02-23 |title=Солістка з Ніжина, а гітарист – з Буковини: що відомо про гурт Go-A, який поїде на Євробачення |url=https://molbuk.ua/chernovtsy_news/193840-solistka-z-nizhyna-a-gitaryst-z-bukovyny-scho-vidomo-pro-gurt-go-a-yakyy-poyide-na-yevrobachennya.html |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Молодий буковинець}}
The band includes vocalist Kateryna Pavlenko from Nizhyn, keyboardist and percussionist {{ill|Taras Shevchenko (musician)|lt=Taras Shevchenko|uk|Шевченко Тарас Михайлович|}} from Kyiv, {{Ill|Ihor Didenchuk|uk|Ігор Діденчук}} from Lutsk (also a member of rap group Kalush), and Ivan Hryhoriak from Bukovyna.{{cite web|url=https://go-a-band.com/about-us/|title=About Us|author=Go_A|language=en|access-date=8 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505125707/https://go-a-band.com/about-us/|archive-date=5 May 2024|url-status=live}}
The band sings near-exclusively in the Ukrainian language.{{Cite news | url=https://www.wbur.org/npr/1082276162/for-ukrainian-musicians-rejecting-russia-is-a-matter-of-national-pride | title=For Ukrainian musicians, rejecting Russia is a matter of national pride | first1=Daniel | last1=Estrin | first2=Olena | last2=Lysenko | work=WBUR-FM | date=February 22, 2022 | access-date=4 March 2023 | archive-date=4 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304031930/https://www.wbur.org/npr/1082276162/for-ukrainian-musicians-rejecting-russia-is-a-matter-of-national-pride | url-status=live }}
History
The group was founded after keyboardist and percussionist {{ill|Taras Shevchenko (musician)|lt=Taras Shevchenko|uk|Шевченко Тарас Михайлович|}}, not related to the poet of the same name, met folk singer Kateryna Pavlenko in 2012. In December 2012, the first song "Koliada" ({{lang|uk|Коляда}}) was released.
The band gained attention after the release of the single "Vesnianka" ({{lang|uk|Веснянка}}), which won the national competition The Best Track in Ukraine 2015.{{cite web |url=https://nightlife.tochka.net/articles/n/8270-konkurs-the-best-track-in-ukraine-2015-objavil-pob/ |title=Конкурс The Best Track in Ukraine 2015 объявил победителей! |trans-title=The Best Track in Ukraine 2015 contest announced the winners! |date=15 December 2015 |website=tochka.net |language=ru |access-date=4 March 2023 |archive-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202163233/https://nightlife.tochka.net/articles/n/8270-konkurs-the-best-track-in-ukraine-2015-objavil-pob/ |url-status=live }} For six weeks, the song stayed at number one on the 10Dance chart of the Kiss FM radio station in Ukraine and was awarded Discovery of the Year by the radio station.
In November 2016, Go_A released their debut album Idy na zvuk ({{lang|uk|Іди на звук}}; Follow the Tune) via Moon Records Ukraine.{{cite web |url=http://musicinua.com/elektrofolk-gurt-go-predstavyv-debyutnyj-albom/ |title=Електрофолк-гурт Go-A представив дебютний альбом |trans-title=Electrofolk band Go-A presented their debut album |language=uk |website=musicinua.com |date=2 November 2016 |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226180917/http://musicinua.com/elektrofolk-gurt-go-predstavyv-debyutnyj-albom/ |url-status=dead }} The album consists of ten songs, including "Vesnjanka".{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com//album/%D1%96%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B2%D1%83%D0%BA/1181020206 |title=#Ідиназвук by Goa on Apple Music |publisher=Apple Music |date=29 November 2016 |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-date=3 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303020023/https://music.apple.com//album/%25D1%2596%25D0%25B4%25D0%25B8%25D0%25BD%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B7%25D0%25B2%25D1%2583%25D0%25BA/1181020206 |url-status=dead }} In early 2017, they released a Christmas single "Shchedryi vechir" ({{lang|uk|Щедрий вечір}}) in collaboration with Katya Chilly.{{Cite web |last=Veen |first=Renske ten |date=2021-04-27 |title=Go_A: 10 facts about Ukraine's Eurovision 2021 group |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/04/27/go_a-10-facts-about-ukraines-eurovision-2021-group/264606/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=wiwibloggs |language=en-US |archive-date=15 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715195735/https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/04/27/go_a-10-facts-about-ukraines-eurovision-2021-group/264606/ |url-status=live }}
=Eurovision Song Contest (2020–21)=
File:ESC 2021 Rotterdam 1st Semi Jury Show Ukraine.jpg]]
On 22 February 2020, Go_A, performing "Solovey", earned the right to represent Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 by winning both the public vote and the jury vote in the Ukrainian national final.{{cite web|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/ukraine-national-selection-vidbir-2020|title=Go_A will represent Ukraine in Rotterdam|date=2020-02-22|website=Eurovision.tv|language=en|access-date=8 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601234840/https://eurovision.tv/story/ukraine-national-selection-vidbir-2020|archive-date=1 June 2023|url-status=live}} was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Suspilne announced that the band would represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.{{cite web |url=https://eurovoix.com/2020/03/18/ukraine-goa-eurovision-2021/ |title=Ukraine: Go_A Will Represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2021| last=Herbert |first=Emily |website=Eurovoix |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318185448/https://eurovoix.com/2020/03/18/ukraine-goa-eurovision-2021/ |date=18 March 2020 |archive-date=18 March 2020 | url-status=live}} On 4 February 2021, it was announced that "Shum" would be the song that Go_A would be performing in Rotterdam at the Eurovision Song Contest. "Shum" placed fifth, with 364 combined public and jury points. However, in the public vote, "Shum" placed second with 267 points.{{Cite web |title=Latest news: Go_A has new song for Eurovision 2021!|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/latest-news-february-2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204142321/https://eurovision.tv/story/latest-news-february-2021 |archive-date=2021-02-04 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |date=4 February 2021}} Band member {{Ill|Ihor Didenchuk|uk|Ігор Діденчук}} is also a member of rap group Kalush, which won the contest for Ukraine {{Escyr|2022|3=the following year}}.{{Cite web |last=Marco |first=Muntean |date=10 February 2022 |title=Kalush Orchestra: "'Stefania' track is about the dearest person, Mom" |url=https://escbubble.com/2022/02/kalush-orchestra-stefania-track-is-about-the-dearest-person-mom/ |access-date=22 February 2022 |work=ESCBubble}}
=Post-Eurovision Song Contest (2021–present)=
The band played shows in Europe in late 2022 and early 2023.{{Cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Chu9NtlteF8/ | title=Dear friends, as promised, we are announcing additional concert dates. This time we are returning to Belgium, Finland and the Netherlands. You welcomed us so warmly during the previous part of the tour. And we'll also visit countries where we've never been before. Denmark, Sweden and Norway, we look forward to meeting you. You mean the world to us! The ticket links are in our stories and bio. See you | via=Instagram | access-date=4 March 2023 | archive-date=4 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304031924/https://www.instagram.com/p/Chu9NtlteF8/ | url-status=live }}
At the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, Go_A performed "Shum" during the flag parade in the show's final, alongside past Ukrainian entrants including Jamala, Tina Karol, and Verka Serduchka. They also appeared on stage during Duncan Laurence's performance of "You'll Never Walk Alone" during the interval.{{Cite news |last=Hainey |first=Fionnula |date=13 May 2023 |title=Eurovision 2023: Who are GO_A, Jamala, Tina Karol, and Verka Serduchka? |work=The Manchester Evening News |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/eurovision-2023-who-go_a-jamala-26902526 |access-date=14 May 2023 |archive-date=14 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514080514/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/eurovision-2023-who-go_a-jamala-26902526 |url-status=live }}
Band members
- Kateryna Pavlenko – lead vocals
- Taras Shevchenko – keyboards, mixing, percussion
- Ihor Didenchuk – sopilka, percussion, upright bass, backing vocals
- Ivan Hryhoriak – guitars
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15em;"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| LTU {{cite web|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/21s/|title=2021 21-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)|trans-title=2021 21st most listened (TOP 100)|date=2021-05-28|website=agata.lt|language=lt|access-date=8 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225221303/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/21s/|archive-date=25 February 2024|url-status=live}} |
| scope="row"| {{lang|uk|Idy na zvuk}}
|
|56 |
=Singles=
References
{{Reflist}}
{{S-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{Succession box
| before = Mélovin
with "Under the Ladder"
| title = Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest
| years = {{escyr|2020}} (cancelled)
| after = Themselves
with "Shum"
}}
{{Succession box
| before = Themselves
with "Solovey"
| title = Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest
| years = {{escyr|2021}}
| after = Kalush Orchestra
with "Stefania"
}}
{{S-end}}
{{Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2020}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2021}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2012 establishments in Ukraine
Category:Articles with underscores in the title
Category:Ukrainian electronic music groups
Category:Ukrainian folk rock groups
Category:Musical groups established in 2012
Category:Ukrainian rock music groups