The additional concert, titled “We Will Dance Again,” will take place at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, following his November 4 performance at the same venue.
Israeli media reported that tickets for the first concert sold out quickly, prompting the addition of the second date.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the concert title echoes George’s single “We Will Dance Again”, released earlier this year as a tribute to those killed at the Nova festival during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.
The accompanying music video features imagery commemorating the young people who lost their lives at the festival. (The Jerusalem Post)
What happened at the Nova festival?
The Nova music festival, an outdoor electronic music event held near Kibbutz Re’im in southern Israel, was taking place on October 7, 2023, when the Hamas-led assault on Israel began.
The festival had attracted thousands of people. At about 6:22 a.m., rocket-warning sirens were heard as the attack began. Armed militants subsequently reached the festival area, where attendees attempted to flee, hide or take shelter.
According to a United Nations investigation, 379 people were killed at the festival site, around Kibbutz Re’im and adjacent locations on October 7. At least 364 of those killed were festival attendees, while around 40 people were taken hostage to Gaza.
The Associated Press, in its reconstruction of the attack based on survivor interviews and video evidence, reported that at least 260 people had initially been confirmed killed at the festival, with gunmen firing on people as they attempted to escape and taking some attendees hostage.
The Nova festival became one of the most prominent symbols of the October 7 attack, which killed about 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in around 250 people being taken hostage, according to Israeli figures cited by Reuters.
The attack triggered the subsequent Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
George’s November 7 concert is being presented as an evening of remembrance and solidarity with the Nova community. Israeli broadcaster N12 reported that George described the performance as being dedicated to Nova survivors and said he wanted the evening to be one of music, harmony and love.
The British singer, who became internationally famous as the frontman of Culture Club in the 1980s, has been publicly supportive of Israel since the October 7 attack.
His song “We Will Dance Again” also addresses the attack and the debate surrounding Israel’s subsequent military campaign.
George previously performed in Israel and is returning to the country after several years. His latest concerts are being closely watched as international artists have often faced pressure, criticism or calls for boycotts over performances in Israel since the outbreak of the Gaza war.