What does the BDS movement say?Pop icon Madonna will launch her upcoming world tour in Israel, her Israeli show producer, Shuki Weiss, announced Tuesday.
The tour for Madonna's new album, MDNA, will set off on May 31 at Ramat Gan Stadium.
Unlike her last two concerts in Israel, where general admission cost NIS 490 per ticket, most audience members will pay between NIS 240 and 490 for the MDNA concert. Like last year, VIP entrance will cost between NIS 1,500 and NIS 2,500.
On Sunday night, the 53-year-old singer crazed Super Bowl audiences with her half time show, where she performed the songs, "Vogue", "Like a Prayer", "Music" and "Give Me All Your Lovin'" – from MDNA, which is set to be released in March.
According to numbers released by NBC Sports on Monday, Madonna's performance was the most-watched Super Bowl half time show featuring entertainment on record - and actually edged out the game's averages in both ratings and total viewers.
This will be the fourth performance by the Queen of Pop in Israel. Her first show was in 1993, and in her last world tour, "Sticky & Sweet", Madonna brought her mix of provocative music and spirituality to the Holy Land with two concerts in 2009.
Madonna also visited Israel in 2004 and 2007 on private pilgrimages, along with other Kabbalah devotees. She's been dabbling in Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism, for more than a decade and has taken on a Hebrew name, Esther.
The Material Girl will arrive in Israel two weeks before the concert, accompanied by an entourage of more than 300 people, to carry out intensive lastminute rehearsals. While she will visit certain sites and take advantage of being in Israel, Weiss explained that Madonna is taking the show seriously and plans to spend most of her time preparing for the big event.
“It isn’t even a regular visit anymore when she comes,” the local producer said. “It’s as if she is the process of making aliya.”
Their protests seem, well, desultory. LondonBDS' Facebook page only has a couple of comments on the story. The number of foul-mouthed complainers on her web page is also minimal. It seems that since she spends so much time in Israel anyway, they've given up.
A completely different reaction is reported by AAP:
"Please don't stop the music!"(I couldn't find that Facebook page. It still amazes me that any bozo that puts up a Facebook page can gain news coverage.)
That's the plea of one Israeli fan of Madonna who has set up a Facebook group calling for Israel to delay until after the diva performs here in May what some fear will be an attack on Iran.
"Bibi! No war with Iran until after Madonna's performance on May 29," the anonymous enthusiast pleads in Hebrew in the newly created group, using a popular nickname for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Anyway, BDSers have their work cut out for them this year. I wanted to get a list of acts going to Israel thsi year, but "Australians for Palestine" already did an even better list of concerts in Israel planned (or maybe rumored) for this year. Thanks, guys!
Kenny Barron (Jazz piano, Philadelphia) is scheduled to play in Tel Aviv on 13 January
Janis Ian - 20 January (could be hopeless. she celebrates her Jewishness, and she’s posted this: ”Third Israel show added! How fantastic is this?! Sold out beyond belief”)
The Uri Caine Ensemble [USA] is scheduled for January 19 in Eilat Harbor.
The Karl Seglem Quintet is scheduled for January 20 in Eilat Harbor.
Bad Plus [Minneapolis, USA] is scheduled for January 20 in Eilat Harbor.
Anonymous 4 is scheduled for January 20 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Kora Jazz Band is scheduled for January 21 in Eilat Harbor.
Bela Fleck and the Fleckstones are scheduled for January 21 in Eilat Harbor.
Arch Enemy is scheduled for January 24 at the Barbie Club in Tel Aviv.
Ana Moura [Portugal] is scheduled for January 27 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
James Blake [UK] is scheduled for January 27 at the Block Club in Tel Aviv.
K’s Choice (Belgium) – 23 January (again, they played here last year, and could be supporters of Israel)
Oran Etkin is scheduled for February 24 at the Tel Aviv Jazz Festival.
Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares (choir) is scheduled for February 24 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
The Kit Downes Sextet is scheduled to tour israel from February 26-march 1.
Oli Mustonen is scheduled for March 17 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Justin Bieber is scheduled for April 14 in Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv.
The Jasmine Vardimon Dance Company (UK) is scheduled for May 24-25 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Michel Tabachnik is scheduled for May 27 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Alexandra Soumm is scheduled for May 27 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Madonna is expected to perform on May 31 in Tel Aviv.
Bruce Springsteen is scheduled for June at Ramat Gan Stadium.
Marty Ehrlich is scheduled for June 1 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Drew Gress is scheduled for June 1 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Roberto Dani is scheduled for June 1 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Momix Dance Company is scheduled for June 6-9 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (based in London) is scheduled for June 7th-12th in the magical setting of Masada.
The Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan is scheduled for June 13-16 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Andreas Staier and Alexander Melnikov are scheduled for July 4 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Kynan Johns is scheduled for July 24 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Peter Donohoe is scheduled for July 24 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
Stefani Germanotta is scheduled for August at Petah Tikva Stadium.
Cirque du Soleil is scheduled for August 8th-18th at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv.
Red Hot Chili Peppers are scheduled for September 10 in Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv.
I can add to that list "Cat Power" on February 12 (although now it looks like she caved), The Scorpions on May 7, and Lamb of God on May 30.
(h/t OnionTearsNews)