Category: Concerts in 2024

Last week I joined the crowd celebrating the launch of The Bench’s new album, “Wet Dream” at a fabulous concert in Reading 3, in Tel Aviv. The atmosphere was electric and the band were euphoric.

The Bench (Lior Itzhaki – Drums, Matan Shatit – Lead Guitar, Guy Strier – Rhythm Guitar, Or Ben Itzhak – Bass and Raziel Mantzur – Vocals) was smoking hot. Their songwriting is phenomenal and their musicianship up there with the best. Their playing was so tight that you couldn’t separate them with a crowbar.

Guests for the evening included Nimrod Shemesh and Sharon Sexton from Blues and Booze; Gal De Paz (Hebrew Wikipedia page); Hadar Levi Gagi and Yali Sharon from Dazy’s Fasulia; and Yali Sobol (Hebrew Wikipedia page).

Maktazith (Guitar – Hadar “GAGI” Levi, Bass – Danny Shnaiderman and Drums – Dor Kelman) opened the evening with their unique blend of punk, rock and talk box. The trio’s mastery of their instruments was as sharp as their boot toe-caps.

Setlist

• Mess
• Spiders
• Haze
• Elvis Medley (with Ninmrod Shemesh and Sharon Sexton from Blues and Booze)
• Mosquito
• Hi Girl
• Not a Morning Person
• Tell Me (with Hadar Levi Gagi and Yali Sharon from Dazy’s Fasulia)
• G-Spot — נקודת הג׳י (with Hadar Levi Gagi and Yali Sharon from Dazy’s Fasulia)
• Fu Fu fu
• Something (with Gal De Paz)
• Wet dream (with Gal De Paz)
• Hummingbird
• You’ll Never Be Mine
• Won’t Let You
• שנים חסומות (with Yali Sobol)
• השמלה ממדריד (with Yali Sobol)
• על הריצפה (with Yali Sobol)
• Enough is Enough
• Encore: Somebody to Love

Opening Act – Maktazith

On October 22nd, 2024, Chol Hamoed Sukkot, six of Israel’s top cover bands will perform in a mammoth six-hour concert in Tel Aviv’s Ganei Yehoshua. In addition to the main stage, there will also be a second stage with Indie bands — so far Stellar Lane and Gali Givon are the only ones who have been announced.

More details on the Hall of Fame Festival website. Tickets from Zappa Club.

Gates open at 4:00pn. Times and bands for the main stage:

• 5:00pm The Sultans Live (Dire Straits)
• 6:00 pm Ummagumma (Pink Floyd)
• 7:00pm Whiplash (Metallica)
• 8:00pm OasisIsrael (Oasis)
• 9:00pm Nirvana Experience (Nirvana)
• 10:00pm Guns n’ Moses (Guns n’ Roses)

I heard The Sultans Live last year at a similar event. They are excellent. I can’t vouch personally for the others, but based on these YouTube clips, it promises to be a spectacular event.

Don’t forget to use the “I’m With The Band” discount code kindly provided by Stellar Lane: 276310

The Sultans Live

Ummagumma

Whiplash

OasisIsrael

Nirvana Experience

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ifvkypgMfFnw1TYj

Guns n’ Moses

Last week I went to hear Tel Aviv band Stellar Lane perform in Blaze Bar in Jerusalem. It is a unique venue and an amazing band.

Stellar Lane is a five-piece alternative rock band comprised of: Brothers Yonatan Vogelsang and Udi Vogelsang (vocals/acoustic guitar and vocals/keyboards respecively), Dotan Kalmar (electric guitar) David Sarussi (drums) and Adam Younger (bass).

The Vogelsang brothers harmonize together fantastically, the musicianship of the quintet is brilliant, and they put on a great show. Their original songs are excellent, and their cover versions are unique. I have been listening to them on Spotify almost non-stop for the past few days.

On Bands In Town, they write about themselves:

Stellar Lane, an alternative-rock band rooted in a thriving musical community, was co-founded by siblings Jonathan and Udi Vogelsang, both immersed in a diverse musical background. Shaped by the Grunge scene in Seattle during their formative years, Stellar Lane effortlessly blends nostalgic nineties tones with the contemporary vibes of today’s indie and alternative rock.

The Vogelsang brothers’ dual-vocal delivery is a standout feature, infusing their performances with an energetic and diverse dimension that captivates audiences. After the release of their EP “Follow Your Mind” in 2014, the band embarked on an extensive tour across North America and Europe, gaining recognition at notable festivals like Canadian Music Week and Deichbrand Festival.

I videoed one song from the gig, their cover of the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life”:

The sound mix at Blaze, and the quality on my camera were not great, so also check out their live stream from a year ago.

If you didn’t catch them in Jerusalem, you can see them live at

• Third Ear (Tel Aviv) on October 18, for free.
• Hall of Fame Fest (Tel Aviv) on October 22, Tickets available here – use code 276310 (click on “I’m with the band) for a discount
• Rocktopia Festival (RIshon Lezion) on November 21.

The Bench rescheduled the launch for Tuesday, October 15. Same place. Same time.

This site focuses mainly on overseas bands performing in Israel, but I recently discovered an Israeli band, The Bench, which sounds as good or better than many international bands.

The Bench are celebrating the release of their latest album, “Wet Dream” with a concert on Tuesday, October 1st, at Reading 3, in Tel Aviv. Tickets are available from Eventbuzz — only NIS 90 (or go with your partner and get two tickets for NIS 160).

I don’t know much about the band, except that I’ve been listening to their music on Spotify and YouTube non-stop for many hours.

According to what they wrote on BandCamp, The Bench was formed in 2011 by two 16 year-old kids: Or Ben Izhak (Bass), and Raziel Mantzur (Lead Vocals). They started playing music on a bench at their neighborhood.

Today, The Bench consists of 4 members with the addition of Or, Raziel, Lior Izhaki (Drums), and Matan Shatit (Lead Guitar).

The Bench members get their kicks out of rock’n’roll, Motown and groove.

Check out this concert from two years ago at Barby.

And check out The Bench’s new album, “Wet Dream” on YouTube or Spotify.

Michale Graves, the enigmatic figure who stepped into the spotlight as the lead singer of the legendary punk rock band The Misfits is coming to Israel. He will play the Gagarin Club in Tel Aviv on July 16, 2024.

Michale posted on X (Twitter) that, “The night will celebrate the music and legacy of The Misfits from all eras featuring a blistering set of over 20 songs spanning the decades.”

MICHALE GRAVES TO PLAY IN TEL AVIV
Michale Graves will visit and play for the very first time at the Gagarin Club Tel Aviv, Israel on July 16th 2024 . The night will celebrate the music and legacy of The Misfits from all eras featuring a blistering set of over 20 songs spanning… pic.twitter.com/5LlQ9PQOpa

— Michale Graves (@RadioDeadly) May 20, 2024

Graves replaced the iconic Glenn Danzig, as vocalists for the Misfits, and carried the torch of their distinctive sound and helped usher in a new era for the influential horror-punk outfit.

Born in 1972, Michale Graves (born Michael Emanuel) first gained recognition as the frontman of the Misfits from 1995 to 2000. During this period, he lent his powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence to the band, breathing new life into their iconic catalog of songs while also contributing to the creation of several acclaimed albums, including “American Psycho” and “Famous Monsters.”

Graves’ tenure with the Misfits was marked by a fiendish flair and a penchant for the macabre, a hallmark of the band’s signature style. His vocal style perfectly captured the band’s dark and sinister aesthetic, elevating the Misfits’ already legendary status within the punk rock scene.

Musically, Graves’ contributions to the Misfits’ sound showcased a blend of classic punk rock energy with a touch of horror-inspired melodicism. His powerful vocals and the band’s driving, distortion-heavy instrumentation created a sonic experience that was both visceral and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the band’s lyrical themes of horror, the occult, and social outcasts.

During his time with the Misfits, Graves also collaborated with other notable musicians, contributing to projects outside of the band and further expanding his creative footprint. His versatility and willingness to explore new musical avenues have earned him a respected place among the pantheon of punk rock icons.

Since his departure from the Misfits in 2000, Graves has continued to captivate audiences with his solo work and various other musical endeavors. His solo albums, such as “Web of Dharma” and “Wanderer,” showcase a more introspective and eclectic side of his artistry, delving into themes of personal growth and spiritual exploration.

In the years since, Graves has remained a vital figure in the punk rock and alternative music scenes, inspiring a new generation of musicians with his unapologetic and fiercely independent approach to his craft. As the Misfits’ post-Danzig era, his legacy as a crucial contributor to the band’s enduring legacy is cemented, solidifying his place as a true icon of the genre.

Tickets cost ₪179.00 and are available from Raven Music