Jonny Greenwood leads sold-out concert at Jerusalem Oud Festival

While public attention this week focused on Boy George and his sold out shows in Tel Aviv, a quieter but potentially more significant musical event took place in Jerusalem. Jonny Greenwood, the guitarist and co leader of the British band Radiohead, visited the country to perform with his longtime friend and fellow musician Dudu Tassa.

The two guitarists hosted a group of seventeen musicians at the Jerusalem Theatre on Thursday night. The venue, Sherover Hall, was sold out, prompting the addition of a second show on Friday afternoon. The performances featured their 2023 joint album, Jarak Qaribak, which translates to Your Neighbor is Your Friend.

These concerts served as the opening event for the 27th Jerusalem International Oud Festival. The festival is produced by the Confederation House under the artistic direction of its CEO, Effie Benaya. Despite a strong lineup scheduled for the following week, many attendees felt that the performance by Tassa and Greenwood set a high bar for the event.

Greenwood’s arrival was notable in its own right. He became the most high profile artist to visit Israel since the October 7, 2023, attacks. His presence highlighted the band’s long history with the country, which helped break their 1993 single Creep. Radiohead has performed in Israel multiple times since then.

Unlike some international artists who have taken a unified stance on Israel’s policies, Greenwood and his bandmates, particularly frontman Thom Yorke, have expressed nuanced views. While critical of the government, they have maintained an affinity for the country and its people. This allowed Greenwood to visit without the perception of a blanket boycott that has affected other musicians.

The musical collaboration between the two artists began in 2017 when Tassa opened for Radiohead on their U.S. tour. At that time, Tassa had recently released an album paying tribute to his grandfather, Daoud Al Kuwaiti, and his brother Saleh. Both were born in Iraq and became major figures in Middle Eastern music during the 1940s.

During the concert, Greenwood switched between electric guitar, bass, and electronic percussion. He blended into the ensemble as a band member rather than the center of attention. Tassa, handling guitar and vocals, acted as a conductor and cheerleader, interacting warmly with guest vocalists including Baghdad born Karrar Al Saadi and Nazareth based Gianna Nadaf.

The performance combined classic Arabic love songs with modern rock, electronic, and world music elements. The result was a dynamic sound that critics compared to the big band era of Talking Heads. The energy peaked when super drummer Dan Mayo joined the percussion section, matching Greenwood’s bass playing in a full throttle rock display.

Tassa addressed the audience by noting that he had gathered friends from Israel, Baghdad, and England. He referenced the recent election, stating that music could transcend the hatred and turmoil swirling outside. The gathering served as a demonstration of cultural harmony.

The timing of the concert carried additional weight. A few hundred meters from the venue, President Isaac Herzog was meeting with party leaders to determine the country’s future. Meanwhile, demonstrators stood outside the government buildings calling for unity. Inside Sherover Hall, the musicians and audience experienced a moment of musical and cultural connection.