Afghan Whigs rock Tel Aviv
One of leading alternative rock bands of the 1990s takes Israeli fans on trip down memory lane
It was a trip down memory lane in Tel Aviv over the weekend for devoted Israeli fans of Afghan Whigs - one of the leading alternative rock bands of the 1990s.
The Whigs’ enthused followers were more than happy to dish out good money to have their flashback trip to the ‘90s, with some 80% of those in attendance during Friday’s show being males - but then again, the band was always a peculiar kind of boy's club.
Still looking great. Dulli
Frontman Greg Dulli opened Friday night’s show with a rendition of "Crime Scene Part One," accompanied by dramatic lighting and velvet curtains. The effect was of exhilarating sensuality recalling the dangerous, dark imagery of David Lynch.
Dark side of love. Afghan Whigs in Tel Aviv (Photo: Ofer Amram)
During the show, Dulli and his band took their Israeli fans back to the days of teenage angst and the unrequited loves of their teens.
At 47, Dulli is still looking great. He was accompanied by five pals, including some members of the original band and some from other projects, among them multi-instrumentalist Rick Nelson on the cello and keys who provided the perfect backdrop for Dulli's baritone croons on the dark-side of love and relationships.
The band included fan favorites from its iconic, commercially successful 1993 album "Gentlemen,” such as the dirty, distortioned, grungy rock “I'm her slave”; the upbeat “Uptown Again"; and funk laced rock perfected in the ‘90s "When We Two Parted" - which made the crowd reach their arms out in a hopeless attempt to reach them. There was also a playful verse or two of "Purple Rain" at set's end.
The two Tel Aviv shows were part of a summer reunion tour that includes London, Finland and Norway. Meanwhile, Israeli fans have been treated to some of the biggest names in pop and rock in 2012, with Madonna opening her global tour in Israel earlier this year, and the legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers are scheduled to perform in Israel in September.
