Israeli Band Infected Mushroom Faces Growing Boycott Abroad, Launches 30th Anniversary Festival

Since October 7, the Israeli electronic music duo Infected Mushroom, consisting of Amit Duvdevani and Erez Eisen, has experienced increasing boycotts due to their nationality. Earlier this month, a major Brooklyn venue called SILO canceled their scheduled performance after ticket sales had begun, citing staff unwillingness to work the event because the band is Israeli. Despite support from their promoter and a subsequent venue change, the band notes that such cancellations and protests occur worldwide, including in Australia, Europe, and the US, often backed by local authorities like New York City Mayor Eric Adams. They lament that some promoters avoid booking them altogether to sidestep controversy.

Marking 30 years of activity, Infected Mushroom is launching "INFECTED FESTIVAL," a three-day electronic music event from September 24 to 26 at Jordan Park in Israel. The festival will feature three stages and dozens of artists, with Infected Mushroom headlining a three-hour live set alongside Israeli musicians such as Berry Sakharof, Mika Shitrit, and Ninet Tayeb. The festival aims to establish a lasting electronic music tradition in Israel, combining electronic and rock genres with camping in nature.

Regarding their longevity, Eisen and Duvdevani emphasize their diverse audience, ranging from children to fans in their 80s, and express no plans to retire. Duvdevani compares their potential stage presence at 80 to Mick Jagger's enduring energy. Reflecting on their career, they acknowledge that their 2007 hit "Becoming Insane" was a commercial accident rather than a deliberate mainstream pursuit, as their music typically features long instrumental tracks not suited for radio or viral trends like TikTok.

They take pride in their artistic risks, such as relocating to the US to produce the album "Vicious Delicious," and have no regrets about their choices, including collaborations and projects that did not materialize. Personal anecdotes reveal Eisen's passion for hummus and a humorous story about a fan from their hometown of Kiryat Motzkin encountered in Brooklyn. They also share that the track "Deeply Disturbed and Deeply Unhappy" unexpectedly became a popular wedding dance song.

If a biographical film were made, they imagine opening with a live concert scene and themselves eating hummus, symbolizing their identity and connection to their fans. Duvdevani envisions performing energetically on stage even at age 80, much like Mick Jagger, while Eisen jokes about still being youthful and vibrant.