Aviv Geffen’s “Rock Ball” concert at Yarkon Park on Thursday night again showed why he remains one of the defining figures of Israeli rock. The show mixed political remarks, spectacle, and a long parade of guest artists, ending with “Tippot,” “Shir Tikva,” “Sof HaOlam,” and “Achshav Me’onan,” alongside huge flamethrowers and a plea to voters: “I have an audience from the right, the center and the left... choose together, choose peace.” He also shouted his familiar line, “Want change? We are a fucked generation.”
Geffen’s role as a mentor was a central theme. He reunited The Youdiyot, who once opened for him, with Tom Petter and Orit Shachaf performing “Hayamim Shelanu” with an 18-piece string ensemble. He also brought on Ninet Tayeb, whom he produced and for whom he wrote hits, including “Hakol Yachol Likrot,” and had her sing “Sofet” first. He later coaxed Mango into reuniting for “Gara B’Shinkin,” and welcomed Eli Luzon for a duet on “Geshem,” Tamar Galedi for “HaAhava Meta” paired with “Mexico,” and Aviram Tal and Roi Levi for “Yediah.”
The headline guest was Yehuda Poliker, who joined Geffen for “Pachot Aval K’ov,” “Shalal Sharav,” and “Hat’halah Chadashah.” The review said Poliker seemed moved by the moment and by the park’s scale, but still played electric guitar excellently. The most emotional scene came when Geffen’s 10-year-old son, Eliot, sang part of “Makom Ladaga” during “Ahavnu,” a song Geffen dedicated to the bond between Eliot and his late grandfather, Yoni Geffen.
The two-and-a-half-hour show also included a political stunt when Geffen asked the audience to stand for the anthem and pianist Eran Meitelman accidentally, or pointedly, played the opening of the U.S. anthem first. The band, Geffen’s regular “T’ayut,” was praised for strong, polished rock playing. The concert packed in many of Geffen’s biggest hits, but it also highlighted a gap: his newest song in the set was “Tippot” from 2012, with no sign of newer material from last year’s album, including the controversial protest song “Eretz Hafucha.” Even so, the article argues Geffen still holds a place in the front row of Israeli rock, especially as his generation has aged and few new mainstream rock stars have emerged.
