The international music festival, known as Lollapalooza, which features an array of international musical artists, will be coming to Israel in 2013. It will be Israel’s first time to host an international musical festival of this magnitude, and only the third country in the world to be chosen for the festival’s location besides Chile and Brazil.
The festival’s founder, Perry Farrell of the alternative rock band, Jane’s Addiction, conceived the idea in 1991 and subsequently held several Lollapalooza tours across the US. Farrell revealed on Saturday that the franchise would perform in Israel from August 20-22 in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park.
In the past, Lollapalooza festivals have featured such music stars and legendary bands as Kanye West, Calvin Harris, Cold Play, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Sabbath and countless others. According to the Israeli Lollapalooza website, there are over 50 international bands and artists who will perform over the usual three-day period in Tel Aviv. Their names will be published throughout the year.
Farrell, who is Jewish and was born Peretz Bernstein in Queens, New York, stated that the festival will be held mid-week, Tuesday-Thursday and not on the weekend because of the Jewish Sabbath. “I don’t think it would be great to do it on a Friday night. No one would go,” Farrell told CNN.
The 53-year old Farrell explained that Tel Aviv was chosen because “people really wanted us there.” During Farrell’s visit in Tel Aviv last year for a Jane’s Addiction performance, he realized that Israel would be an excellent venue for his Lollapalooza production. “I saw an international musical community that knew all about the music we all listen to and the artists weren’t traveling there, so it was an opportunity,” said Farrell.
“I’ve been in Tel Aviv a few times…and Israelis love to dance, they’ll be rocking it out.”
Jerusalem’s mayor, Nir Barkat also asked Farrell about performing in Jerusalem during the visit next year. “We got a call from Jerusalem, the Holy City, and they want Lollapalooza to be there, too,” Farrell told CNN. “But it’s going to start in Tel Aviv, and we’re going to do something in Jerusalem. The mayor’s like, ‘We want to bring young people, we want to change the perception of Jerusalem.’ So we’re even talking with them about it.”
Known as one of the largest outdoor music festivals, Lollapalooza has hosted up to 160,000 people in past locations, including most recently in Chicago this past weekend.
On the Israel Lollapalooza Facebook page, Israeli fans are already expressing their excitement, calling for performers like Rihanna and Black Sabbath to make the musical lineup.