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Tel Aviv’s Summer Concert Scene Is Lit

From Radiohead to Justin Bieber to Guns N’ Roses, the stars are a-comin’ to Israel

by
Zoë Miller
February 07, 2017
SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images
Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead performs during the Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, October 7, 2016. SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images
SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images
Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead performs during the Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, October 7, 2016. SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images

If you’re in Israel this summer―I’m talking to you, teaching fellows and Mediterranean, sun-soaking vacationers―catch some of music’s biggest names in Tel Aviv. (Sorry, Birthrighters, this probably isn’t for you—I know you have a short leash.)

In July, Radiohead will play a recently (but not officially) announced show at Yarkon Park, a large public space and storied performance site in Tel Aviv. The concert will be the British alt-rock band’s fourth performance in the Jewish state since 1993 (including an opening appearance at a R.E.M. concert). Judging by YouTube’s treasure trove of Radiohead covers by Israeli performers, the band has quite a fanbase there.

Other rock heavyweights playing Yarkon Park in the months to come include Aerosmith (May 17) and Guns N’ Roses (July 15). Those with softer musical sensibilities can see Argentine-Swedish Indie folkster José González at the Barby Club on May 22, or can head to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art on July 6 for a concert with Portuguese-born jazz singer and songwriter Carmen Souza and bassist Theo Pascal.

And last but not least, Justin Bieber will bring a dash of pop (and probably more than a hint of paparazzi intrigue) to Tel Aviv when his “Purpose” tour stops there in May. No judgment if you prefer the Biebs to Thom Yorke―there are clearly more productive debates to be had these days.

Zoe Miller is Tablet’s editorial intern. Follow her on Twitter here.