Eurovision 2019 is only a few months away. And while KAN continues to make grand plans for the grand final and semis, the Israeli media keeps reporting on what it describes as leaks. This week the names of the potential interval acts were published by a number of outlets — including the broadcaster Channel 10, leading newspaper Haaretz and entertainment and news site Mako.
From Eurovision winners to major Israeli stars, KAN reportedly has its eyes set on the following talent to entertain you while you wait for the voting results in Tel Aviv: Dana International, Netta, Idan Raichel and Omer Adam.
The Israeli production team is obviously striving for a show that will reflect the face of Israel on the one hand, but that will also connect with the audience outside of the country. That duality seems to underscore the impressive variety of acts on this apparent wishlist.
Netta and Dana International
Most Eurovision fans won’t need any introduction to Israel’s two most recent Eurovision winners. These divas each made history with their respective victories and became two of the most popular figures in Israel. Both are more than deserving of the honour of a performance at ESC.
Channel 10 reports that Israeli broadcaster KAN is trying to get them to sing together. Sources close to the singers have said that there is still no agreement at the moment.
Dana, who has routinely offered her support for the LGBT community, recently released a new version of the song “Mi Ha’Ish” (Who is the Man) for Jerusalem Pride. She’s still quite the gay icon in Israel and abroad, as she keeps getting invited to perform across Europe — even 20 years after her unforgettable victory at Eurovision 1998.
After a crazy year filled with performances all across Europe and The US, Netta will soon release her follow-up single “Bassa Sababa”. And there is a pretty good chance that she could perform it live on the 2019 Eurovision stage. That and, of course, her winning song “Toy”.
You won’t be surprised to read that KAN has plans for Netta to perform in the grand final.
The two divas performing together is an exciting prospect. We just hope there aren’t any falls this time.
Omer Adam
Omer Adam is one the most popular singers in Israel — and he is only 25 years old! His music fuses elements of eastern “Mizrahi” (an Oriental, Middle Eastern style) and Western pop instrumentation.
He has released five albums with hit after hit. Tickets to his concerts sell out within minutes. And he has won endless awards for “best singer” and “best song” over the years.
The most played song in Israel in 2018 was his song “Shnei Meshuga’im ” (Two Crazy People), while Netta’s “Toy” came only second. Funny enough, both had Stav Beger on the songwriting team.
Another of his hits is “Tel Aviv” — how fitting for the contest this year, right? That was composed by none other than Doron Medalie — the genius behind “Golden Boy”, “Made of Stars” and “Toy”. The song was the official theme of Tel Aviv’s Gay Pride Week in 2013, and has remained a hit across Europe ever since.
Due to his massive popularity, it’s not a surprise that Mako reports KAN would like to have him on stage at Eurovision. The reported plan is for Omer to perform in one of the semi finals.
Omer might not have a direct connection to Eurovision, but he did record his own Hebrew version to the song “OPA”, which represented Greece at Eurovision 2010. The lyrics were written by Doron Medalie.
He’s no stranger to Netta, either: they recently met at Teddy Sagi’s New Year’s Eve party and sang his hit “Shnei Meshuga’im ” (Two Crazy People) on stage together.
Omer regularly performs a medley of songs in his concert that includes a bit of Netta’s “Toy”. He also sang it on the special show “Pop Up Music” that was running for a few days last December (Eleni Foureira took part as well).
KAN issued a response to Mako on Omer Adam’s reported response. They said: “We are currently formulating the artistic program for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. In time we will publish the list of artists that will take part in the shows.”
Ofer Menachem, Omer Adam’s PR manager, declined to comment on the report.
Idan Raichel
Another famous Israeli musician is Idan Raichel — a producer, keyboardist, lyricist, composer and performer. He is mainly known for “The Idan Raichel Project”, which he’s run since 2002 as the main composer.
It’s called a project and not a group or a band, since it does not contain a permanent group of singers and musicians, but a changing base with different singers for each song. The special sounds of the project are distinctive for fusing electronics, traditional Hebrew text, and Arab and Ethiopian music.
During a career spanning 15 years, Idan Raichel has become not only the most successful artist in Israel but also one of Israel’s most successful artists abroad, with tours that include performances at some of the leading festivals as well as shows in the most prestigious venues in Europe, the USA, South America, the Far East, Canada and Australia.
In addition, Idan has forged collaborations with many artists including American pop stars India Arie and Alicia Keys, and a wide range of artists who are household names in their native countries: Portugal’s Ana Moura, France’s Patrick Bruel, Italy’s Ornella Vanoni, Germany’s Andreas Scholl, the Italian duo Mina & Celentano, the Iranian singer Golazin, and Mali’s Vieux Farka Touré.
In the albums he has produced to-date with The Project, as well as in the other musical ventures, Idan has introduced a new musical culture – a fresh style of production combined with lyrics in a variety of languages including Arabic, German, Spanish, Amharic, French and Hebrew. It’s worked its way into the Israeli mainstream as well into the hearts of the general public in Israel and overseas.
It is still unknown which artists will feature during his reported performance at Eurovision 2019, but we’re sure we can expect something special.
Are you excited about the potential interval acts of Eurovision 2019? Who is your favourite and who do you think would slay hardest? Let us know in the comments box below!
Would really like to see Nadav there, but is it truth that he’s not allowed as he’s taking part in military service?
He’ll needs to get an approval from the army in order to participate, and probably days off for rehearsals. but the Israeli army almost always cooperates with soldiers who are musicians, athletes, models etc. so that they can maintain their careers while serving.
Luis fonsi and idan raichel. Fonsi is in spain..doing the the voice….yes i dare to dream….
I hope they sneak a performance of Hi in somewhere, it is in Ofra Haza’s hometown for the first time after all.
Yes, I hope they celebrate Israel’s Eurovision history – Dana, Netta, Gali, Izhar…bring them all on! Why not? Gali Atari featured in the audience 20 years ago giving a royal wave, I hope she comes back again another 20 years later…now Dana International joins her as the “legacy” act. Time flies.
Two good options are : Ninet Taybe due to her global success (“When Heroes Fly – coming to you on Netflix on Jan-10. MUST watch !!! ) and Asaf Avidan of course !! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWeM46S07eM
42 countries confirmed as participating? don’t think there’ll be any boycotting hunny
YES !!! Idan Raichel PLEASE !!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpeogu5bnLg
I really dislike Dana International. She comes across as quite rude and insulting, under the disguise as being a “diva”. One can be a diva and still be a nice person in my opinion. Can totally imagine the opening act being Netta brought into the stage on a chariot dragged by half naked, oiled up guys to reprise “Toy”, as some people seem to think that men love to be objectified and be a “toy” while women don’t …#DoubleStandard. Those two issues aside, I am looking forward to seeing Eurovision 2019. Israel will do a good job hosting I think,… Read more »
It’s funny how you imagine a scenario (Netta dragged by half naked, oiled up guys) and then get upset by that thing that you came up with. I can assure you half naked oiled up guys are not Netta’s thing. Dana is indeed rude, even in Israeli standards (Israelis are very outspoken people). Sometimes her attitude is funny and fresh, sometimes it’s just plain rude or even nasty. I think in a way it’s a defense mechanism, Dana had it rough in her early years, both personally and publicly. people weren’t so accepting. Once in a blue moon she’ll bring… Read more »
Sometimes she plays a character as part of her public persona, right? She made some pretty bad comments about Loreen as I recall, but I forgave her on the reasoning that it wasn’t the “real” Dana.
I think one of the reasons she came up with this public persona is that it makes her feel safe, like an armor she puts on.
I don’t think it gives her a free pass to be mean, and what she said about Loreen was really mean, but it should be taken with some perspective and even compassion.
Dana International? I really hope to see her
Netta can show her music mixing skills of different songs and play her upcoming single during the interval act.
I wanna see Dana International doing this on her own. She is the Diva, after all. <3
Statit and benel and j balvin. Thier song is going to be relesed next month.
Out of those choices, Idan Raichel. He’s got broad mass appeal. . But otherwise I’d go with Ivri Lider or Static & Ben El Tavori. Both have huge international audiences & are known outside of Israel. Ben El & Static just signed a contract with an American label to release their songs in English. They also have English, Portuguese and Spanish captions on their videos, and are a big draw with millennials and younger. Ivri also has an English band and if liked by people who like different genres. If Dana performs I wouldn’t watch. Shudder. Netta doesn’t have her… Read more »
Wouldn’t make sense for them not considering Netta to perform at intervals, she is the winner of last year show.
Anyway, can they add Infected Mushrooms, Miri Ben Ari, and Borgore to the table.
No for omer adam! A big yes for idan, dana and netta!
Well, not a fan of Omer Adam but no one can deny his success and support he gets from fans here in Israel so I guess he also deserves a performance there :3
Of course, same with Idan.
Dana and Netta, obviously, deserve to be there (I wish Izhar and Gali would perform as well, all 4 winners together :3 )
Will the organizers invite Offer Nissim to perform in Eurovision 2019? could be nice had good house music for shake our bodies under Tel Aviv atmosphere!
‘Cada Dia’, one of the Idan Raichel Project’s songs, is probably amongst my favourite songs of all time. Looking forward to seeing him on the Eurovision stage 🙂
check this one …It’s some sort of Arabic.. Idan Raichel at his best !! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IZB_7QShcM
It would be a crime for them not to have Idan Raichel. His music is beyond stunning and it truly represents the melting pot that is modern Israeli society.
omer adam has quite the hits, tel aviv yahabibi is the song that litteraly made me fall in love with israel