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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.
Their concert in NYC on sept 21 opened their first tour after four years and what a concert! They opened with Scenic World which was one of my favorites. Also, I had never seen a crowd like that before! People would just refuse to leave after the first encore, so they came out one or two more times. The energy from the audience was incredible. I will definitely go to more concerts in the future!
I was really concerned about the sound, but it was perfectly clear and the lights... Oh, these lights. I truly enjoyed the concert, thanks, Beirut!
This is literally the best show I've ever seen, and I've seen a few. As good as their records sound, I realized that they don't do the instruments justice. Live, it was like an entire brass band was being played-by 6 guys! It was amazing to see them switch instruments mid-song and keep playing without a hitch. Zach's voice is just as clear and emotive live, and all of the guys were totally jamming out and having a great time. It was really a lot of fun. They played for about an hour, and after they finished the audience was shouting for an encore so they came back out and played for almost half an hour. I've never been to a show where the band was so in sync with their fans. OH, and their lighting was super cool. I honestly can't wait to see them again.
Absolutely amazing! Beirut is incredible live. Great set, great energy, especially considering it was the 2nd night's show, couldn't have wanted anything more. Only complaint, if you consider it a complaint, even though it's a given, was all the stupid (rhetorical?) hipsters sticking their cameras in front of your face trying to take pictures...leave the dslr at home please, you're obnoxious enough as it is.
The music was splendid, tight and awe inspiring. These guys are making some of the most original and thought full music today.
This is my first event at terminal 5, and my third time seeing Beirut. The band sounded amazing, the venue had tons of standing room, enough bars that you never had to wait too long for a drink, and what i found awesome was chairs and couches on the top level. I will definitely be returning to terminal 5 for more bands i love, and without question Beirut is close to my heart.
This concert was packed. It was full of electricity and the band made everyone feel as if they were in their living room with them, all friends. The only other time I felt this way was when I saw Joe Strummer perform at St. Ann's Warehouse. They played a lot of classics and a lot of new songs and had two encores. Loved it.
The first basically half of the show was good but not by any means exceptional. They played well but they were lacking passion and a connection to the audience. It was also really crowded and I kept on getting pushed and couldn't see anything (I think tall people should be relegated to the back). No one was dancing. It just felt blah. Their first encore was amazing though. The crowd thinned out a little so there was more dancing space and it was easier to see and Beirut just stepped up their game. They played better. And then they went off and the crowd thinned even more so the second encore was amazing. If they played the entire show like they played the encores, I'd give it 5 stars. I did like the stage set-up though. It was very simple, no crazy videos or light shows. Just string lights overhead and colored lights that changed based on the song.
First time seeing Beirut and I wasn't sure what to expect. I love their music, but the question was weather or not it would translate well live. It did! I was blown away! I brought a friend with me whom never heard of them and she loved it. Best night out in a while!!!!
One of the most beautiful concerts I've ever watched, so simple and so sensible.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! The guys were awesome, and they came out 3 times for an encore. They were on point, lively, fun. Just sweet! I will definitely see them again if they come back to new york! DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS SHOW!!!!
We had a wonderful time, they are all smiling, we felt like we really shared a special moment with the band! Love all their song, great concert, one of hte best I have seen.Terminal 5 is a very nice space, the sound was perfect!
I went with two friends and she told me about them. They were energetic and great. Memorable performance.
Beirut is an amazing band, even better live than on CD. The venue was great, and had great acoustics. The band members enjoyed themselves, you could tell! Beirut is highly recommended to anyone!
Beirut is great. If they came back to NY, I'd pay to see them again.
Awesome musicians, and the energy from the audience was great.
The band was amazing. The crowd was full of cocky hipsters that whine anytime someone tries to get closer to the stage. Even though everyone leaves super open spaces, it seems kind of unfair that they want to box one another out. i was just trying to reach my boyfriend when I came back from the bathroom and some hipster girl started talking trash about me trying to get through the crowd. But again Beirut is awesome. NYC crowds are just too cool to use manners.
This band delivered the experience I had dreamed they would, but feared they couldn't. Beirut are so technically good, making me afraid they would disappoint in their actual performance; the opposite was true, however. Not only did every member show off his effortless control over a variety of instruments and playing styles, they all did so with graciousness and awareness of the crowd. The setting and lights evoked a festival celebration throughout, and the audience was treated to a blend of songs well-weighted between Zach Condon's various albums, with some special moments thrown in like kicking off the second encore with a solo ukelele performance of "The Penalty."
the show was great, I love Beirut and really like Terminal 5. Unfortunately they played for little more than 1 hour and the almost 40 dollars ticket was not really woth the money i payed. But the concert was good and the group is great! Other thing that is always missing at terminal 5 is food, they open the doors at 7 (the concert never starts before 9) and then they have nothing to eat there. lame
This was gift to my boyfriend for his 27th birthday. We found a spot on the top floor in the corner and had a great birds eye view of the stage and personal space. We thought the crowd was a little young, but everyone seemed really into it.
