Is Psychedelic Rock Alive and Well in Israel?

A new generation of Israeli musicians is keeping the psychedelic rock flame burning bright.

Introducing the Psychedelic Rock Scene in Israel

It’s no secret that the psychedelic rock scene in Israel is thriving. Bands like Cosmos 69 and Ha Ma’alaot Ha Tikva are constantly pushing boundaries and creating new sounds. But what is it about the Israeli psychedelic rock scene that is so special? Let’s take a closer look.

What is Psychedelic Rock?

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as acid rock, is a type of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s. Psychedelic rock is inspired by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychoactive drugs. The style is marked by the use of feedback, extended guitar solos, and heavy use of amplifier distortion. Feedback and distortion were commonly used by psychedelic rock bands in the 1960s to create an abrasive, distorted sound. The style is often associated with a non-conformist lifestyle.

Psychedelic rock began to decline in popularity in the early 1970s, but experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s with bands such as The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Radiohead, and Oasis.

The History of Psychedelic Rock in Israel

Psychedelic rock arrived in Israel in the early 1970s, at a time when the country was still trying to find its footing after the Six-Day War. Israelis were looking for new ways to express themselves, and psychedelic rock provided a perfect outlet. The first Israeli psychedelic rock band was called The Treatment, and they quickly garnered a following.

Psychedelic rock bands began to spring up all over Israel, and the genre became extremely popular. By the late 1970s, there were dozens of Israeli psychedelic rock bands, including some that achieved international acclaim, such as Kaveret and Atomic Sax.

The Israeli psychedelic rock scene continued to thrive into the 1980s and 1990s, with new bands emerging all the time. Today, there are still a number of active Israeli psychedelic rock bands carrying on the tradition. If you’re looking for mind-expanding music from the Middle East, be sure to check out some of these great Israeli Psychedelic Rock bands!

The Psychedelic Rock Scene Today

Psychedelic rock first made its appearance in the late 1960s, with bands such as Pink Floyd, The Doors, and Jimi Hendrix leading the charge. The genre quickly spread around the world, with musicians in different countries putting their own spin on it. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in psychedelic rock, with new bands drawing inspiration from the original innovators. In this article, we’ll take a look at the psychedelic rock scene in Israel, where the genre is alive and well.

The Bands

psychedelic rock is still very much alive in the modern day. In Israel, a new generation of “stoner bands” has begun to emerge, taking cues from the greats of the 60s and 70s while infusing their own unique Middle Eastern flavor into the mix. Here are just a few of the bands keeping psychedelic rock alive and well in Israel today.

Green Cake: Green Cake is a five-piece band from Tel Aviv that formed in 2012. The band’s sound is strongly influenced by classic psychedelic rock groups like Pink Floyd and The Doors, as well as more modern stoner rock bands such as Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age. Green Cake’s music has a dark, atmospheric quality to it, with heavy riffs and driving rhythms punctuated by occasional Middle Eastern-style melodies.

Haioka: Haioka is a four-piece band from Jerusalem that combines elements of psychedelic rock, shoegaze, and post-rock. The band has been likened to early Pink Floyd and My Bloody Valentine, with their music featuring dense layers of guitar noise and reverb-drenched vocals. Haioka’s songs often build to towering crescendos, creating an immersive sonic experience that is both dreamlike and exhilarating.

The Krishna Moon: The Krishna Moon is a three-piece band from Haifa that blends elements of Indian classical music with classic psychedelic rock. The band takes its name from the Hindu god Krishna, who is often associated with the moon. The Krishna Moon’s music features sitar melodies weaving through hypnotic krautrock rhythms, topped off with dreamy vocals reminiscent of early Pink Floyd singer Syd Barrett.

These are just a few of the fantastic Israeli bands keeping psychedelic rock alive and well in the 21st century. So if you’re ever in need of a sonic escape, make sure to check out some of their music!

The Venues

Psychedelic rock may not be as popular as it once was, but there are still plenty of venues where you can enjoy the genre. In Israel, for example, there are a number of clubs and bars that cater to fans of psychedelic rock.

The Venues
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy psychedelic rock in Israel, there are a few options to choose from. One popular choice is the been and the bar on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv. This venue features live music on most nights, with a focus on psychedelic rock and other genres like stoner rock and metal.

Another option is the Elevator Bar, also located in Tel Aviv. This bar has a more laid-back vibe, and often features DJs playing psy-trance and other electronic music genres. If you’re looking to dance the night away, this is the place for you.

There are also a number of festivals that take place throughout the year that cater to fans of psychedelic rock. The most notable of these is the Jerusalem Psych Fest, which takes place in November. This festival features a number of local and international bands, making it the perfect place to check out some new music.

The Festivals

Psychedelic rock music became popular in the 1960s, but it has made a strong comeback in recent years. This genre of music often includes elements of garage rock, blues rock, and acid rock. Psychedelic music is intended to replicate and enhance the experience of taking psychedelic drugs. The use of drugs is not always necessary to enjoy this type of music, but many people believe that it enhances the experience.

There are many popular festivals that cater to fans of psychedelic rock music. The Festivals usually take place in Israel, but there are some in other countries as well. The most notable psychedelics festival is the “Beresheets Psychedelic Experience” which takes place every year in Israel. This festival attracts some of the biggest names in psychedelic rock music, and it is a great opportunity for fans to see their favorite bands live.

Other popular festivals include the “Purim Cup” which takes place annually in Jerusalem, and the “Tel Aviv Psychedelic Experience” which is held every few years. These festivals provide an opportunity for fans to see a wide variety of bands, and they usually last for several days.

The Future of Psychedelic Rock in Israel

Psychedelic rock music has been around for decades, and Israel has been a strong producer of the genre since the 1960s. With a rich history in the genre, many Israeli psychedelic rock bands have been able to achieve critical and popular acclaim. In recent years, the popularity of psychedelic rock has been on the decline in Israel. Nevertheless, there is still a dedicated group of musicians keeping the genre alive.

The Bands

Psychedelic rock was never particularly popular in Israel, but there were a few notable bands that made waves in the genre. The most famous of these is probably Yad music cycle, which formed in the early 1970s and released a handful of albums before disbanding in the late 1980s. Other notable bands include Elephant’s Memory and Sha’ashuim.

The Venues

In the early days of psychedelic rock, the music was often played in small, intimate venues. This gave the music an immediate and personal feeling, as if the band was playing just for you. These days, however, the music is often played in large stadiums or arenas, which can lose some of that personal feeling.

In Israel, there are still many small, intimate venues where psychedelic rock bands can play. This keeps the music alive and well in Israel, and allows fans to get up close and personal with their favorite bands.

The Festivals

The two main psychedelic rock festivals in Israel are the Levitation Psychedelic Music Festival in Tel Aviv and the Beersheba Psych fest. Both festivals have been running for several years and both feature a mix of local and international acts. The Levitation festival is run by promoters who also organize the annual Astral Circus festival, which is a more eclectic festival that includes a wide range of genres including folk, world music, and electronica. The Beersheba Psych fest is organized by a group of volunteers and features primarily local bands.

In addition to these two larger festivals, there are also a number of smaller events that happen throughout the year. These include the Haifa Psychedelic Collective’s monthly parties, which showcase local bands, as well as occasional one-off events such as the Dead Sea Psychedelic Fest.