Robbie Williams bonds with Noga Erez ahead of Tel Aviv show
The UK pop star, a self-proclaimed ‘massive fan’ of indie artist, rehearses with her after inviting her to perform with him Thursday night
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
UK pop star Robbie Williams will fulfill his wish to perform with indie Israeli singer Noga Erez Thursday night at Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park.
Williams, who arrived in Israel Monday night, rehearsed with Erez at his Wednesday evening sound check and let fans know that Erez would appear at the concert.
The two will perform the duet “Kids,” which Williams composed with Kylie Minogue, a reference to Erez’s second album, also titled “Kids.”
According to Hebrew media reports, Erez taught Williams a few Hebrew slang words during their rehearsal, including magniv, sababa and achla, all local versions of “cool.”
Williams has expressed his admiration for Erez on Twitter, writing in November: “Can this person be the next biggest person pls? Asking for a friend.”
At the time, Erez responded: “Hi Robbie, this woman loves you!”
At Williams’s Tuesday press conference, he described himself as a “massive Noga Erez fan.”
“Noga makes me feel like a giddy 15-year-old,” Williams said. “When I see her, I want to be her. When I see her perform, I want to perform like that. I have great respect and am in awe of her talent.”
Erez, often called “the Israeli answer to Björk,” sings heavily electronic songs that are sharp in their tone and messaging, and are primarily in English.
Williams will take the stage at 9 p.m. Thursday, following performances from English songwriter Calum Scott, Israeli pop singer Static and Dutch DJ Martin Garrix.
Williams has expressed his excitement about being in Israel, and spontaneously performed with a Tel Aviv busker this week at the city’s beach promenade, singing his hit song “Angels”:
WATCH: Singer Robbie Williams spontaneously joins a street performer in Tel Aviv, two days before taking the stage as part of his tour ????????
Magical moments in #Israel ????
????: Hila Mefano@robbiewilliams pic.twitter.com/gU70aPVy3W
— StandWithUsUK (@StandWithUsUK) May 31, 2023
