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Brixton Academy, as ever, is hot, completely packed, and really expensive at the bar. Nevertheless, it’s where a very devout Beirut fanbase have hemmed themselves in for the evening to see New York-based band play a career-spanning set including material from their fifth album album No No No - their first album since 2011.
Their first album was released in 2006, and they quickly became famed for their take on balkan folk, utilising trumpets, trombone, accordion, piano , and ukulele. The sound evokes romantic images of eastern Europe that frontman Zach Condon had fathomed through films, and travelling with romanticist ideals through Europe as a teenager. Now, at age 29, he’s leading a seven-piece band (including an occasional violinist), who haven’t veered too far from these roots, and they’re powering through their back catalogue and new album, and it's working its magic on the crowd.
He’s stood smartly dressed in a buttoned up black shirt and grey trousers and addresses the crowd formally between songs, revealing little about himself. The music speaks for itself, though. His intensely emotional croon, alongside epic horn sections, inventive piano lines, and the occasional ukulele ensure that the crowd, which is largely made up of close couples, making it look like London’s biggest accidental mass date tonight - are lathered with musical beauty.
The band are as slick and tight as you might expect from the 4AD signees, and the music always holds our attention, however, there are a few moments that really astound. The title track from the new album, ‘No No No’, feels distinct from their older material and showcases their ability to craft incredibly imaginative music that feels far from a snapshot of old European music. Meanwhile, ’The Gulag Orkestar’ is the best example of Balkan music, gathering a riveting tempo and it’s marked improvement on the recorded version. Also ‘Nantes’, from The Flying Cup (2011) is celebrated with the wildest response of the evening from the loving crowd.
They play again tomorrow night (25/9) in the intimate surrounds of the St John-at-Hackney church which will be better than the conveyor belt atmosphere at Academy. However, we're still appreciative and our excitement for the band has only gathered momentum.
Beirut played:
Scenic World
Elephant Gun
East Harlem
As Needed
Perth
Santa Fe
No No No
August
Holland
Postcards From Italy
The Riptide
The Shrew
My Night With The Prostitute from Marseille
Fener
Cocek
After The Curtain
Nantes
So Allowed
Pacheco
Gulag Orkestar
In The Mausoleum
Flying Club Cup
