Well, it's 10:30 and I've been home from the Beirut show for about 30 minutes now.
Gotta love a show that starts early and ends early on a work night, not to mention one that's 15 mins away.
Anyway, it was really spectacular! I hadn't thought much about this show for some reason--busy, preoccupied, didn't know if I was up for the scene that I knew it would be, this being the so-called homecoming show and all. But I have to say, it was quite the joyful reverie on a perfect night at my favorite summer venue and every song was hands down better live than on the records. The band is amazing.
The tiny patio of this brewery was packed, with people sitting in trees, on top of the coyote fence (ouch!), climbing the light posts, and me, I stood on a most excellent rock above the sea of bobbing heads and fists, which was indeed the best seat in the house.
One little criticism: Zach should take a few tips from The Shins in showing a little graciousness and giving a little love to the hometown crowd. Not entirely unexpected since he disses NM in every interview, but c'mon, the place was packed with friends, family, neighbors, his former teachers, and just a bunch of people who love the music a little bit more because they come from the same town and all he had to say was, "It's really weird being here."
Maybe it's his youth, or maybe he really did hate growing up here.
Or maybe he just gave us a great show and that was enough.
I don't know. But the music made me happy, and I left feeling satisfied, yet wanting more glockenspiel!
Oh, and I deliberately arrived an hour late in a sincere effort to miss the opening band, being against all opening bands, and yet somehow still managed to arrive right as the opening band was beginning. In fact, the Brunettes from New Zealand were great fun.