Greek recording star Nikos Vertis celebrates his return to the Israeli stage with a sold-out concert in Tel Aviv, and duets with Israeli singer Idan Haviv
Greek pop star Nikos Vertis, who has been absent from Israel since before the pandemic, was finally able to hold his twice-postponed Israeli concert this October, selling out Tel Aviv’s Menorah Mivtahim Arena.
The concert, produced by NGOeast, also featured Vertis’ backup band of 20 musicians, as well as Israeli singing artist Idan Haviv.
Vertis, 45, took the stage dressed in a nondescript gray suit and tie. His orchestra, which accompanied him from Athens, comprised all the traditional sections: strings (including violins, mandolins, cello and guitars), percussion, brass and woodwinds -- plus a full-sized piano and several keyboards. In addition, there were two female vocalists, one of whom joined Vertis in a couple of duets.
Vertis is no stranger to Israeli audiences. Not only has he performed here 10 times in the last 10 years, but many of those filling the arena knew the lyrics to more than a few of his songs.
Unfortunately, the concert got off to a rocky start. Many of the entrances to the venue were inexplicably closed, causing bottlenecks and frayed nerves. Worse yet, the show did not even begin until 21.40 ~~ a full hour and 10;minutes late.
The fans seemed forgiving, however -- singing along with Vertis, occasionally turning on cellphone flashlights to simulate flickering candles, standing and swaying to the melodic music, and even dancing in the aisles when the beat turned rhythmic. This was not Greek taverna music familiar to us from movies like Zorba, to be sure, but rather more in the genre of contemporary Greek ballads and Top 40 tunes, with many of the songs written by Veris himself.
During the second half of the concert, Vertis introduced his special guest of the evening: Idan Haviv. Accompanying himself on the guitar, Vertis and Haviv joined together in singing a Greek song, followed by a Hebrew song -- with each one singing in each other’s language.