For Americans, the term “Israeli music” brings to mind dancing at a Bar Mitzvah. Israeli rock icon Ivri Lider is shattering that misconception. On his first U.S. tour, he made a stop Nov. 4 at the UIC student center.

After the first song, Lider encouraged people “not to be shy,” and the audience flooded the foot of the stage to dance. The energy of the crowd immediately rose to soaring levels as the audience joked and compared the experience to an Israeli disco. Lider and his band were called back on stage for two encores, having to replay his opening number because he had finished his set list.

Lider is one of the most famous rock-pop stars in Israel right now. He has won numerous awards internationally, including Best Live Show and Male Singer of the Year in 2005 at the Israeli Music Awards.

Though the venue might seem awkward for a high profile Israeli star, organizers and Lider’s lighting team were able to put on an intimate show that still allowed the audience to feel like they were in one of the coolest clubs in Chicago. Lights flashed in different colors, illuminating the star who was only an arms reach away from the dancing, singing audience.

Lider says he has been influenced by all types of music – electric, classical and jazz included. He says that he likes to try all sorts of things musically.

“Music is just my life,” Lider says.

He has been excited about the prospect of a US tour for a while.

“It’s a different experience,” Lider says. “Even if we play 200 shows (in Israel), we get picked up from home each night and return to sleep in our own beds.”

Though audiences in America do not necessarily know every word to his songs, Lider says that everyone is still “very open, listening and feeling the music.”

– Talia Alberts