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BEIRUT IN CONCERT:
Beirut combines orchestral pop with world music to create intriguingly complex songs that are also infectiously catchy. Bandleader Zach Condon helms everything from vocals to flugelhorn to bring a uniquely diverse sonic palette into each sugary-sweet pop confection. In concert he surrounds himself with top-notch musicians, who infuse the band's indie rock sounds with eclectic folk instrumentation. By incorporating so many different influences, Beirut makes their concerts feel like a globe-trotting adventure for ticket buyers, who can’t help but sing along to familiar favorites like “Elephant Gun” and “East Harlem”.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Zach Condon was born in Albuquerque, NM in 1986 and raised predominantly in neighboring Santa Fe. Though his experience in jazz band taught him how to play trumpet and helped him gain an appreciation for complex musical expression, Condon dropped out of high school at 17. The budding prodigy was exposed to the diverse musical traditions of Europe on a soul-searching trip abroad, and he immediately began incorporating a wide range of international styles into his home recordings. Adopting the moniker Beirut, he released a collection of demos as his first full-length album Gulag Orkestar in 2006. The record became a surprise hit following the viral success of the music video “Elephant Gun”, leading Condon to put together a live band for an impromptu tour. The lineup stuck, and the group’s 2011 album The Rip Tide converted an entirely new segment of fans when the single “East Harlem” was featured on Pitchfork’s Best New Tracks. After a period of intense personal issues, Condon thrilled fans in 2015 with the announcement of Beirut’s fifth album No No No. As they continue to tour the world, Beirut seems destined to absorb the musical influences of every place they visit, incorporating each new sound into their signature chamber pop masterpieces.
I was expecting great things from a Beruit live and they totally topped it! These guys are truly musicians (complete with tuba, trombone and french horn in the band) and are a blast to watch. I can't wait to see them again at Bonnaroo next month!
Beirut was amazing! Condon fit so many songs into the hour and a half they played, a great mix of their most popular ones and some new ones.
I've seen Beirut a half dozen times and they always put on a fantastic show. The sound was great and they played a lot of favorites. MHoW is also a really good venue where it's easy to see just about anywhere. But when did Beirut start appealing to drunken frat boys? So frustrating to have people shove past you only to stand in front of you and talk/grope each other/shout out "we love you" every 5 minutes . . . Even Zach gave them a "shhh" at one point.
Beirut was amazing! This was my first time seeing them live and can't wait for the next time.
I have never seen a show quite like this one. The energy was just amazing, and of course, the music was spectacular. Beirut is such a talented group of musicians, and that is very apparent when they are on stage. Zach Condon always found a way to get involved in the music, whether or not he was singing or playing the trumpet (i.e. dancing). It was most definitely the best show that I have ever been to. I would recommend going to see Beirut if you ever get a chance.
I always have a soft spot in my heart for any band that includes a French horn. These guys are so talented, I'm still a little bit in shock from how great the show was. Zach was sick with a cold -- you could tell he was miserable -- but they stayed to play another song during the encore because the crowd was so happy to be there. I left happy and "Postcards from Italy" is still stuck in my head (that's a good thing). There's not much that could ruin a Beirut concert for me, though the kid with a fake I.D. certainly did his best to try. Luckily for me, he was distracted by the drunk chick standing behind him and moved away to focus on making out with her. Aside from that, great show.
Unbelievable performance by an unbelievable band. Zach Condon is a genius!
