Beirut at Tripod, Dublin August 24th 2010
Review by: Tadgh O’Connor
Starting off in a bedroom, as the modest solo project of front man Zach, Beirut have snowballed into something much grander. Straight from the apex of anti-folk in the mid-00’s, they have captured many a heart with their Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean influenced soulful ballads.
Before coming to the stage, a smorgasbord of slightly unconventional instruments are prepped. A double bass, portable grand, ukulele, a very distinctive drum-kit and an abundance of brass instruments. Although their choice of instruments may be intimidating to some listeners, Beirut maintain the intimacy and unpretentiousness of their 8-track bedroom beginnings.
The band come on stage, Zach announces “It’s good to be back in Dublin”, such a charmer. They then opened with the familiar “Nantes”. The crowd instantly join in “It’s been a long time long time now…” the size of the room is no issue, it may as well be a sitting room sing-a-long. Everyone forgets about their indiscretions and loses themselves in the blissful trumpets.
They introduce some unfamiliar tracks “I started this song when i was 17 and I may as well finish it”. Announcing with another track that it’s “never been recorded”, slightly implying he doesn’t have the intention of doing so. A treat making the bite of ticket prices and Pods tendency to oversell a venue, a little softer.
Zach has an apparent humble charisma, thanking a stage-hand for taking his jacket from him. He takes time twice throughout the show to sign fans ukulele’s. When coming back on stage for the bands double encore, Zach tells us about their last Dublin gig “Last time we were here for the encore I drunkenly stumbled through hallelujah” the crowd “woo” in approval, Zach shakes his head “No, no not again”.
They closed with “Gulag Orkestar”. The audience howled with rapture as the slightest hint came of the approaching famed horn intro. With that they were gone, riding the crest of a wave made of content fans and a truly unshakable set. Despite a few indiscretions with drunkards forcing their way through the crowd, Beirut do not let down. They do not shy away from playing fan favorites and wholeheartedly enjoy doing so.