Beirut - HMV Forum, London - 8/5/09
5/5
By: Hayley Leaver
It's of no surprise that Beirut's long-awaited comeback UK gig at venue formerly known as the Kentish Town Forum comes with an eBay price well over fifty quid. Zach Condon has taken his time over this one. Last playing London at the Roundhouse in 2007, the astoundingly only 23 year old frontman has spent his days holed up in Mexican bars readying a hugely exciting new album/double EP: The March of the Zapotec/Realpeople Holland. Consequently, the anticipation crawling over the packed out Forum is tangible - almost malleable - as the seats begin to fill.
Firstly, Shearwater eagerly take to the stage. Consisting of a few Okkervil River members and an appropriately named 80's-metal-throwback percussionist, Thor, you couldn't fault these boys on their enthusiasm. Unfortunately their set is overshadowed by the magical performance everyone is sure is about to unfold - despite Zach not having shown his face yet - and the only stand out moment sounds remarkably like a 'Pyramid Song' tribute.
After what feels like an eternity Beirut finally position themselves before their deafening audience and delve into 'Nantes', feeling almost like a shock tactic to kick start the audience into wild abandon; not that they needed it. Slight first song hiccups with the sound are the only bump in the road for the whole set, Zach's voice every bit the tremble-inducing passion it sounds on each record - and a little bit more. The note-perfect band fill every inch of the massive venue with resonating brass and billowing accordion, matched in volume and intensity by the vocals, and possibly by the rapturous applause to follow each song.
Beirut's incredible ability to meld so many genres into one cacophony of sound has kept them apart from so many bands over their first two albums, and it is demonstrated to even greater effect with the split EP released earlier this year. Songs from March of the Zapotec... receive an equally warm welcome as old favourites such as 'La Banlieue' and 'Cherbourg', but it is the gentle emotion of 'Postcards From Italy' which stands out for its fragile tenderness, Zach stood at the front of the stage with only his ukulele for company. Tonight's set also showcases what the band have been soaking up whilst playing with Mexican collective, the Jiminez Band. "This song was taught to us," Condon mutters before the six-piece belt out a joyous fanfare-ridden melody, straight from a Mexican wedding march.
Enough foot stomping to completely destroy the balcony ensures two encores: one beginning with a joyous 'Gulag Orkestar', and the second a rendition of Kocani Orkestar's 'Siki Siki Baba'. Two entirely different songs yet both infectiously soul-warming - just about every jaw in the Forum hitting the sticky floor for the former, and spontaneous 'whooping' carrying on long after the latter had finished.
Without a doubt, something special happened at the hands of Zach and his travelling band tonight - just ask any of the 2350 people who left with smug faces and sore throats.
Artists in this article: Beirut
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