The last time I was able to see Beirut, they played an hour and half show at Sound Fix Records. The back room felt like a sauna, they took ten-to-fifteen minute breaks between songs, and only ended up playing about seven songs. While they sounded amazing, it was an exercise in endurance and toleration.

The first show at the Bowery Ballroom was near perfect. In a tight, one-hour set, Zach Condon led his band of hipster gypsies through an impressive fourteen songs. The band was near flawless and sounded incredible, especially Zach's voice, which is so powerful. They played numerous new songs, including the fantastic "Sunday Smile," where they were joined by Final Fantasy's Owen Pallett, who apparently helped arrange numerous tracks for their upcoming record, which Zach says will be released in September.

As if the show was not already a contender for the best show of 2007, it only got better when members of Arcade Fire (Régine Chassagne, William Butler, Richard Parry and more) joined Beirut for their first encore! It was one of those holy shit moments where the entire crowd was blown away.

With the exception of one or two awkward moments (i.e. some drunk douchebag yelling out about the canceled shows last fall, which obviously phased Zach), the show was perfect.

Final Fantasy's opening set was also amazing. Owen was accompanied only by video projectionist, who spent the show working a projector with wonderfully colorful art. Owen's set included a cover of John Cale's "Paris 1919" and he was joined by the Beirut bass section for his final song. As far as opening acts go, his set was amazingly well received.

What a superb night of music........

BEIRUT | BOWERY BALLROOM | 5-2-07
Penalty / Brandenburg / After the Curtain / Carousels / Le Moribond / Sunday Smile / Mount Wroclai (Idle Days) / Closing Song / Elephant Gun / Scenic World / Postcards from Italy // Gulag Orkestar // Siki Siki

Beirut with Arcade Fire:

And here's one of Final Fantasy: