Voca People Return to Israeli Stages After YouTube Stardom
The Israeli musical group Voca People, known for their white outfits and makeup, are returning to perform in Israel for a new tour starting in October, nearly two decades after their initial rise to fame. The show, created by actor and director Lior Kalfon and composer and musical director Shai Fishman, will tour across the country.
Voca People first gained international recognition through viral videos on YouTube, which led to a global career spanning performances in approximately 50 countries, a year-long run Off-Broadway, and appearances on international television shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The production estimates that around 3 million people worldwide have seen their show.
The new Israeli tour is produced by the toMix group and will commence on October 14 at the Ha'Aganot Hall in Airport City, followed by a performance on October 15 at the new Uptown Music Club in Tel Aviv. The show features eight singers who create all musical elements using only their voices, from a cappella and beatboxing to drums, guitars, and brass instruments, performing hits by artists like Queen, Elton John, Madonna, Beyoncé, and Bruno Mars.
The show retains its comedic premise: eight aliens from the planet Voca land on Earth and communicate through "musical energy." Kalfon recalled that the group's origins were modest, starting with a few numbers for events. "The big bang was in 2009 when we uploaded a video to YouTube that got 5 million views, which was considered crazy at the time," he said. The video's success led to international invitations, prompting the group to develop a full show.
Addressing the show's relevance today, Kalfon stated, "We've incorporated current songs, but there's something about the innocence of the past that we've lost a bit, which connects with everyone." He added that the show appeals to all ages, with children enjoying the music and performances, suggesting that the "innocent place" they might have lost still resonates with audiences.
