Passenger, Paul Anka and Chris De Burgh lead pack of upcoming shows

A slew of young, old and middle- stage career performers from abroad will soon be descending on Israel.

By DAVID BRINN
MIKE ROSENBERG (aka Passenger) performs at a concert in Hampshire in 2013. (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
MIKE ROSENBERG (aka Passenger) performs at a concert in Hampshire in 2013.
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
The stages of Tel Aviv during the next few months are beginning to look like migration destinations for visiting songbirds.
In addition to the high-profile shows by Neil Young, Foreigner, the Pixies and Soundgarden (and maybe The Rolling Stones), a slew of young, old and middle- stage career performers from abroad will soon be descending on Israel.
Leading the pack is Passenger, the British folk-pop guitarist whose song “Let Her Go” has become a huge worldwide hit, garnering over 200 million YouTube views. The artist’s real name is Michael David Rosenberg, and his music, like that of his friend – kindred spirit Ed Sheeran – is engaging and melodic. Passenger will be appearing on June 10 at the Barby Club in Tel Aviv (the same nights the Stones have been pegged to play nearby at Ramat Gan Stadium).
Another current act coming to the same venue on April 6 is Cults, a New York indie pop duo mixing dreamy electronic music with girl-group harmonies.
Formed by two NYU students, Brian Oblivion and singer Madeline Follin, the group has built a strong reputation for its haunting live shows.
While not quite an oldie, going back a few years we’ll find Peter Doherty – of the drug abuse/Kate Moss headlines and Libertines and Babyshambles resume – making his Israel debut on April 30, also at the Barby Club.
Doherty is an immensely talented Britpop rocker, but there’s not telling what you’re going to get.
Getting into earlier generations, old-time legends Paul Anka and Chris De Burgh will be making return visits to the country where they are both considered kings. Anka brings his Las Vegas-style oldies show to Hechal Hatarbut on July 24, and the “Lady in Red” British pop-rocker De Burgh will be taking center stage at the Nokia Arena on April 29.
And, not to leave 1970s progressive rock out of the mix, Carl Palmer, the drummer for Emerson, Lake and Palmer, will be bringing his band to Reading 3 in Tel Aviv on May 3.
It appears that besides the blockbusters on the way, there will be enough diverse artists coming over the next few months to satisfy everyone’s musical tastes.