Live Nation, a Beverly-Hills based concert organizer, has announced tour dates in Israel for the bands U2 and Coldplay next summer. These upcoming concerts follow the success of Madonna’s recent tour in Israel.

Madonna’s two concerts in Tel Aviv sold an impressive 100,000+ tickets. Shuki Weiss, a major coordinator with Live Nation, said, “Live Nation was very impressed with the Israeli audience… The company now views Israel as an important market.”

Coldplay, an English rock group, was reportedly planning to come to Israel as early as this October, but had to postpone due to their overloaded touring schedule. The group plans to perform this May and June, although there are rumors of a September 30^th show next year in Hayarkon Park, Tel Aviv.

U2, the Irish rock band fronted by renowned social activist Bono, has already played a show in Israel in 1997. Their forthcoming show will take place anywhere from June to September.

With Israel becoming increasingly viewed as a viable concert market, more and more international bands will be sure to announce shows in the Holy Land in the next couple of years. For example, folk singer Leonard Cohen sold forty seven thousand tickets in a single day for a show in Israel next week.