Static in an interview for the "Culture Committee" podcast (Photography: Reuven Castro, director: Nitai Barry, sound: Ilan Levy, lighting: Yossi Adiges, production: Hagit Barak and Shay Verker, editing: Yardana Aboudi Fox)
About five years ago Statik and Ben El performed together for the first time at Menorah Mivathim Hall.
It was a different time.
The duo was then at its peak - the strongest force of Israeli pop in the last decade.
With a collection of stars who grew up alongside them like Stefan and Margie, talent and affairs - you could feel the electricity in the air.
It was clear that the game was just beginning and the heavens were opening.
In the review that Nadav Menuhin wrote at the time, he noted that it was a spectacular show, very enjoyable, in which every number was highly invested: "It was a polished and impressive pop show of unusual magnitude for Israel," he concluded.
The years passed.
The duo broke up, Statik got married and divorced, reality competitions went up and down - and last night Statik returned to the Menorah Mivathim Hall.
This time alone, with his own songs.
If then, five years ago, the question was asked whether the duo Static and Ben El could hold such a huge hall, then now the pressure on Static's shoulders was doubly heavy.
Will he himself be able to hold such a hall alone?
Will the stage charisma of the duo "Static and Ben Al" fade away when it will be only "Static"?
Will Static even be able to sing Ben El's parts in the duo's songs?
met expectations.
Static (photo: Courtesy: Girtz Productions | Photo: Assaf Angel)
Let's start from the end: Static lived up to all expectations and even more.
He gave a tremendous, rich and surprising show.
All the thousands in the audience - old and young, women and men, fans and parents in tow - left the menorah hall with the feeling that every note, every light pole, every sound, every dance step was thought about.
Careful and professional production.
From the moment he opened the show with the wonderful "Liraz", he did not rest for a moment and for two hours the audience got to see an artist at his peak who manages to excite the audience song after song after song.
Yes, also the new songs from the "Liraz" album that came out just a few weeks ago.
And what's more wonderful for an artist when an entire audience roars the new songs that have just been released - and not just the old hits like "Barbie", "Todo Boom" and "The Beach Road"?
Static's name has been associated with many scandals and storms in the past year.
First of all, the well-publicized separation from Ben El Tabori and the second separation from his wife Sarit Polak (who, by the way, was in the audience).
These affairs were widely covered in the media and Statik himself dealt with them and responded to them in the film "Liraz" that was broadcast a few weeks ago on Bequest 12. Why are we mentioning this?
Because there was a feeling that Static stars in the gossip sections more than he stars in the music sections and it's a shame, because last night's performance reminded what a talented musician Static is and how many excellent songs he has written over the years - both for himself and for the duo with Ben El.
Although Ben El's place is not lacking in Static's show, it becomes clear how much the status of Static's and Ben El's old songs - "Gold", "Todo Boom", "Stem", "Bass and Frills" and more - has become stronger and it becomes clear that they have become Israeli pop classics really.
Attention to every note and sound.
Static (photo: Courtesy: Girtz Productions | Photo: Assaf Angel)
At Static's performance, more than 20 songs were performed - a tight and precise lineup from the career with Ben El and from the debut album - some also with guests Agam Bohbot, Stefan, Itay Levy and Neta Barzilai.
With Bohbot he sang "Tarantula" from his solo album and then "Yasu" when the great singer fills the place of Eden Ben Zaken;
with Itai Levy singing "wash the eyes";
But the highlight of the talks - and maybe even of the entire evening - was the performance with Neta Barzilai.
First, the fantastic "Effortless Class" and then they combined "Achla Gavr" (when he played the role of Dana International) and "Bassa Sabva".
The excellent band behind Static - and the backing singers (who sometimes also replaced Ben El in the slightly-more-curling parts) enriched Static's voice, even though the sound in the hall was not perfect.
One of the strangest moments of the evening was recorded when a survivor participant, the model Maya Kay, came on stage, walked, danced and danced while Static sang "Superstar" from his solo album.
More than a fan moment, it felt like an objectification of a beautiful girl who goes on stage just to be beautiful and shut up.
Along with this, there was also an emotional moment on the assumption that we will agree to remove the cynicism: Static said that he really loves his former partner, Ben El Tabori, and implored the audience to give Ben El the same love that he receives from them - when he releases his album: "Hug him the way you hugged me" .
More in Walla!
"Everyone thought I dumped Ben El, now everyone knows that wasn't the truth"
To the full article
Changed a lot of outfits.
Static (photo: Courtesy: Girtz Productions | Photo: Assaf Angel)
Three weeks ago Statik was interviewed by Walla!
Culture and asked how afraid he is to start a career alone.
"It's the scariest thing because I don't know anything else," he answered honestly.
"I've never actually been alone, even when I was in a band at the age of 15 when I performed with two other rappers. Even when I released 'Ba La Larkaur', it was with Gal Malka and we performed together, so I'm not familiar with it. I'm very experienced and I've been on many stages , but even so I don't have that ability yet. I'm learning a new thing, and it's scary. There's no homework on how to do it, it's just trial and error. It's just recruiting the right team, working hard and praying a little."
After last night's performance - which was one of the best we saw this year in Israel - Static has nothing more to fear.
The solo career began - and in a big way.
culture
Tags
Static