Once a year, the hills of Masada erupt with the echoing sounds of Israel’s top musical artists - For four days, from sunrise to sunset, the desert transforms into a music lover’s paradise
This year, the annual Tamar Festival will take place from October 14 to October 18, with an extra day added to commemorate its 20th anniversary. As usual, it falls during the holiday of Sukkot. “After 20 years, the Tamar Festival, which I founded, occupies a central and respectable part of the best Israeli art and is one of the main festivals that take place during Sukkot,” says Dov Litvinoff, the mayor of Tamar Regional Council.
Tamar Festival © Shahar Glass
The four-day festival offers options for camping in the breathtaking foothills of Masada. It also provides information on local hotels and accommodation. Several artists are debuting new music at the festival, and festival-goers can expect original collaborations between several all-time favorite musicians. On the first night of the festival, the Israeli rock band The Friends of Natasha will transform the foothills of Masada into a rock ‘n’ roll wonderland. They are debuting a new rendition of their album, “Radio Blah Blah,” which will feature surprise performers.
The Friends of Natasha © Orit Pnini
The second evening will be dedicated to Israeli rock singer Shalom Hanoch. During his career, he has released 11 albums in addition to hundreds of hits. 17 performers will perform covers of his greatest hits, with a performance with Hanoch himself to culminate the evening. The third evening of the festival will feature a performance from the legendary singer Omer Adam, along with Benaia Barabi and Ishay Ribo, for their first-ever collaboration on stage. Adam is expected to perform new music from his newly released mini-album. The final evening of the festival will raise the bar for the festival’s “shake the desert” tradition, the so-called birthday party of the festival.
Shalom Hanoch © Orit Pnini
A three-part collaboration between Israeli blues band Full Trunk, hip-hop artist Tuna and rapper Ravid Plotnick will not disappoint. In addition, a second set from the DJ duo Infected Mushroom, featuring international electronic music group BLISS, will rock the foothills of Masada when the two music groups debut their fourth collaboration. In addition to sunset performances, the Tamar Festival is known for its 4AM sunrise performances on the summit of Masada. Sunrise performances throughout the festival will include those from Berry Sakharof, The High Windows, Avraham Tal with Shotei Hanevuah, Hatikvah 6, Hadag Nachash and Peled.
Omer Adam © Sharon Revivo
Infected Mushroom
Performances will take place in four main locations -- The Masada Hall and Masada summit, and free performances on the lawn of Kibbutz Ein Gedi and at the Neot Hakikar ecological park. “Four days on four unique stages,” as Roni Hoss, the artistic director of the festival puts it. “Festival days are a collection of magical moments.” Secure your spot to be part of this unparalleled, bucket-list experience.
Tamar Festival © Ron Kohen
Tamar Festival, October 14-18, during the holiday of Sukkot, at the foothills of Masada. For tickets: tamarfestival.com