Imagine Dragons performs to sold-out crowd at Yarkon Park
Las Vegas indie pop band plays two-hour, 20-song show in front of 62,000 people, packed into coastal city’s outdoor venue
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Las Vegas indie pop band Imagine Dragons performed in front of a sold-out crowd of 62,000 at Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park Tuesday night.
“It’s not normal to have such a big crowd,” said lead singer Dan Reynolds after taking the stage. “Tel Aviv, we love you.”
The band led with “My Life” followed by “Believer” — the first two songs of a 20-song playlist that also included “It’s Time” and “Thunder,” which Reynolds dedicated to all of his younger fans in the crowd.
Reynolds dedicated the four-member band’s hit song “I Bet My Life” to his parents, who were also in the audience.
“My heart is full. Thank you for coming!” said Reynolds, before belting out “Follow You” and taking off his shirt to the delight of many in the crowd.
Reynolds continued bantering with the crowd throughout the two-hour show. “Some of you have followed us for ten years,” said the 36-year-old, who added that he couldn’t express in words how he felt but only through music.
He later urged the crowd of young fans to make sure they speak to someone if they’re upset or depressed, telling them it’s not weak to talk about their problems and adding that he has seen a therapist for years.
“Don’t give up,” said Reynolds. “Your life is important and we need you in this world.”
The Imagine Dragons lead singer was born in Las Vegas — the seventh of nine children in his Mormon family. When he was 19 and 20, Reynolds volunteered as a missionary.
He attended Brigham Young University where he formed Imagine Dragons with its initial members and, after winning the school’s battle of the bands competition, left to pursue music as a career.
Imagine Dragons, which now includes Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee and drummer Daniel Platzman, began gaining exposure some ten years ago with its award-winning debut album “Night Visions” and was touted a breakout band in 2013 by MTV and Billboard.
Tuesday night’s Tel Aviv show was one of several sold-out concerts by international performers that took place in Israel this summer.
AJR, the New York-based opening band made up of the three brothers, Adam, Jack, and Ryan Metzger, opened up for Imagine Dragons with their Tiktok hit, “The Good Part.”
The band, whose name is based on the initials of their members’ first names, has been touring Israel since last Friday and celebrated the bar mitzvah of one of their members at the Western Wall.
