photo: the clayton brothers

Finally, a band who's live show lives up to all the hype! I caught Beirut last night in Ottawa, and can safely say that it was the best show I've seen all year. Everything, from the entrance to the volume (they play loud!) was perfect. This band has everything they need to become all they've been hyped to be. I honestly wish all of you were there to see it. Even the opening act (Animal Hospital) was good, and he only played two songs.

Beirut- Elephant Gun
Kočani Orkestar - Šiki, šiki baba

Above are two of the more rare songs Beirut played last night. The first will be on an upcoming EP (pauvre Jason), and the second is the orginal version of a song I recognized thanks to the Zac Condon guest spot on StG.

If you live in Ottawa, then you know that thanks to Pop Montreal, there is a smorgasbord of shows to pick from for the long weekend. Last night was Beirut. Tonight it's Akron/Family and Born Ruffians, and of course Dev79 at Diso. Tommorow you have a choice of seeing Hyzologists at Barrymore's or heading to Zaphod's to catch Cadence Weapon and Tokyo Police Club. Sunday's got The Hold Steady and to top it all off; Monday's the New Pornographers at Capital City Music Hall.

Don't you forget the fact that The Science of Sleep opened today at the Bytown. I'm not going to link all of those but feel free to check Punk Ottawa or Google.

It's almost [but still not quite] enough to get my friends out of Orleans. Bitter much?

Girl in Crowd: Spray us with your spit valves.
Guy in Beirut (sprays valve): That's like a band geek's wet dream!