Brussels Band Drives 5,000 km to Kyiv for Bandmate’s Drums
A Brussels-based indie rock band has embarked on an extraordinary 5,000-kilometer round trip to Kyiv, Ukraine, to retrieve the drum kit of their Ukrainian bandmate — an instrument she was forced to leave behind when she fled the Russian invasion two years ago. The band, Louves, departed from Brussels on Tuesday morning and expects to arrive in Kyiv on July 17.
A Journey of Solidarity
The five-piece band formed in 2025, bringing together musicians from diverse backgrounds: lead singer Ash from Antwerp, guitarist Gordon (a veteran of the Brussels music scene), South African bassist Vee, guitarist Anaïs from the duo Azizam, and Ukrainian drummer Tania. Tania fled Ukraine approximately two years ago during the ongoing war, leaving behind a drum kit she had saved for years to purchase.
“She saved for years for that drum kit and had it barely six months when she had to flee,” band member Ashley De Busscher told BRUZZ. “From playing every day, she suddenly couldn’t drum at all anymore. We want to give her back her own trusted instrument, which she misses terribly.”
Since joining Louves, Tania has been playing on borrowed kits and in rehearsal studios — a temporary solution the band is determined to end.
The Road to Kyiv
The band set off from Brussels on Tuesday morning, July 14, driving east across Europe toward the Ukrainian capital. Tania, unable to travel by car due to circumstances, is flying separately and will meet the band in Kyiv. The group plans to stay one night in the city before making the return journey with the drum kit.
“We realize this journey carries risks,” De Busscher said. “We are well-prepared and have carefully mapped out a route through the best border crossings.” Along the way, the musicians hope to meet other artists and potentially set up spontaneous collaborations.
The story was also covered by VRT NWS, which republished the original reporting from BRUZZ journalist Sophie Moffat.
Crowdfunding Success
To cover fuel costs for the journey, Louves launched a crowdfunding campaign on Ulule with a goal of €600. The campaign has exceeded expectations, raising €660 (110% funded) from 19 backers with five days still remaining.
Any money raised above the goal will be split evenly — half going to a pro-Ukraine charity and the other half reinvested in the band. Reward tiers for backers range from a €5 “Sponsor a kilometer” option to a €400 acoustic private concert at the supporter’s home.
A Band on the Rise
Louves has been gaining momentum in the Brussels music scene. The band played their first major concert at Botanique in March 2026 and will soon take up a residency at music center Volta. Their debut single, “Palm Sprites,” was released on Bandcamp on May 21, 2026.
“Having our own drum kit makes rehearsing and planning concerts much easier,” De Busscher said. “We hope to make much more music after this trip.”
Broader Context of Solidarity
The band’s journey is part of a wider pattern of Belgian grassroots solidarity with Ukraine. In recent weeks, the Brussels public transport company MIVB donated 36 buses to Ukraine, and the Brussels fire brigade donated three fire trucks. The Louves story stands out, however, for its deeply personal nature — a group of friends going to extraordinary lengths to restore a piece of their bandmate’s life that war took away.
What’s Next
As the band makes its way across Europe, supporters are following their journey on social media via Instagram (@allyouneedislouves). The crowdfunding rewards are expected to be delivered by August 2026. For Louves, the successful retrieval of Tania’s drum kit will mark not just the return of a beloved instrument, but a powerful statement that music and friendship transcend borders — even those drawn by war.