Rocking the arena, Idan Raichel style
Review: The Idan Raichel Project delights sellout crowds from across Israeli society in Tel Aviv for four consecutive nights.
Judging from the enthusiasm of the diverse audience -- which included fans of all ages, from the 20s to the 70s, as well as both religious and secular men and women -- it is easy to see why the band is so popular. From soothing ballads to rousing rock, old and young responded alternately by swaying to the flames of lighters or dancing rhythmically to the lively music.
While Raichel naturally sang several solo numbers, accompanying himself on the keyboard, the concert was very much a group effort. Raichel was not merely backed up by the 10 other musicians and vocalists on the stage, one male and three female singers also had more than one solo each.
All of the musicians were extremely versatile: Raichel himself alternated between two keyboard instruments, as well as accordion and drums. Others switched seamlessly from familiar Western flutes and guitars to wind and stringed instruments of other cultures and back again, as the group played captivating fusion music and sang in multiple languages.
