Beirut @ The Anthem - 2/14/2019
Beirut at The Anthem (Photo by Carolina Correa Caro / @veronik.bandw)
On their latest release Gallipoli, Beirut, the music collective conceived and fronted by Santa Fe’s Zach Condon, isn’t straying too far from their roots, but that’s fine because the results are still just as magical as it was at the start of his musical career. Packed full with the usual nods to European folk and utilizing a multitude of instruments (ukulele, accordion and more!) it’s yet another charming chapter their thirteen-plus year career.
On Valentine’s Day, the troupe brought their new songs and more to The Anthem in DC. Throughout the night, the cohesion and synchrony between the six musicians was breathtaking; several wind instrument solos, a beautiful execution of “A Hawk” and “A Hacksaw Song: Serbian Cocek,” and the inclusion of Beirut classics like “Postcards from Italy” and “Elephant Gun” were well-worth the four year wait since their last album, No No No. Beirut will continue touring throughout the winter and spring around USA and Europe.
Opening for Beirut was Helado Negro, who blends Latinx, hip-hop, and electronic influences to create the perfect backdrop for the night’s proceedings. The Ecuadorian-American artist is promoting his forthcoming album This is How You Smile with the singles “Running,” “País Nublado,” and “Please Won’t Please.”
