New Beirut Sounds Fabulous (part II), photos
Continued from New Beirut Sounds Fabulous (part I)
With the impromptu show at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Beirut has redeemed itself since the last time they played New York City. There were a few things wrong at Delacorte Theater in Central Park last fall (pictured above, and throughout this post). From where I sat, the very last row and almost the very last column to the right of the stage, the band’s sound fizzled into an unrealized imitation of the Balkan. The seated crowd had been asked to “throw their hands in the air and wave ‘em like they just don’t care” by the preceding hyperactive Balkan Beat Box, and the crowd had obeyed without hesitation, but throughout Beirut’s set, the energy was mute. When my friends of Eastern European heritage (rightful Balkan snobs) scoffed and left (“seriously, I don’t get it”), I stationed myself at one of the photo pits, center-front of the stage, and the sound was no different from what I’d heard at the amazing Bowery Ballroom shows.
Continued, and more photos from the Central Park show after the jump.
