Boy George to play Tel Aviv on Nov. 4 after Vancouver refund requests linked to pro-Israel song

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Boy George is scheduled to perform at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on Nov. 4.

Live Nation Israel announced the show, with tickets set to go on sale Wednesday at noon local time through Ticketmaster Israel. Prices are listed from 280 to 799 shekels. The promoter’s listing says the concert will use a 360-degree stage setup in the centre of the arena.

The booking comes less than two months after refund requests and cancellation calls linked to Boy George’s Sept. 7 concert at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver. The PNE said at the time that it had received complaints, refund requests and calls to cancel the show, but did not pull it, citing a non-censorship policy and leaving ticket decisions to consumers.

The backlash followed the July release of Boy George’s AI-assisted reggae track “We Will Dance Again.” He said the song referred to the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on the Nova music festival and criticized artists who have spoken out against Israel.

In a video promoting the Tel Aviv concert, Boy George said, “It is my honor to come to Israel,” and promised fans “an evening of love, positivity, and good vibes.”

The controversy has also reached beyond Vancouver. Boy George withdrew from a planned run as King Herod in the London Palladium production of Jesus Christ Superstar after the song’s release, and Bandcamp removed the track under a policy covering music generated wholly or substantially with artificial intelligence.

Two days after his Vancouver appearance, Boy George spoke at Temple Sholom before about 800 attendees and performed “We Will Dance Again,” while indicating a November Israel show was already planned.

The Nov. 4 concert will mark a return to Menora Mivtachim Arena, where Boy George previously performed with Culture Club in 2017, in a show that included Israeli singer Dana International.