Who had the better week: Beirut or college-band geeks? Well Zach played three sold-out shows in Brooklyn (including a secret gig in Greenpoint to kick it off) and made his network television debut at the Ed Sullivan Theatre on Friday night, so that is pretty good. But between the USC Marching Band’s Radiohead moment and the thirty-plus members of the Vassar Orkestar joining Beirut at this past weekend’s Brooklyn Academy Of Music concerts, collegiate ensembles had the indie-rock week of their lives. I went to Beirut’s Music Hall of Williamsburg show and Friday night’s BAM performance (pics TK), the same night he brought a third of the Vassar Orkestar to Letterman to perform The Flying Club Cup’s “A Sunday Smile.” Big band and killer takes on March Of The Zapotec/Holland EP tunes aside, the Brooklyn shows were notable for the new song “East Harlem.” (Well, new/old. Said Zach at MHOW: “I wrote this song when I was 17, it feels good to finally play it.”) It’s a lovelorn uke ditty, gradually incorporating the band at large, all about “1,000 miles between us” and tapping Zach’s inner-Stephin Merritt. Here’s a version of that one from Saturday night at BAM, along with his first performance on late night television. Says Dave: “God that was cool.”
“East Harlem” (Live @ BAM 2/7/09)
“A Sunday Smile” On Letterman
Beirut’s March Of The Zapotec/Holland EP is out 2/17 via Pompeii Records/Ba Da Bing.
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damn letterman really enjoyed that
Zach def. looks like a weird cross between Dwight Schrute and Paul McCartney on Letterman.
I long for the day when it will be cool to look like you bathe.
oh, ha ha, maria r’s comment made me laugh out loud.
These guys are brilliant live! Thanks for videos.
What a terrific band. I’m a little concerned about Condon’s health though; he’s looking kind of tired and puffy, in a too much beer kind of way, as opposed to a delicious food kind of way. You shouldn’t look that way at 21 or however old he is.
Puffy? The guy looks really gaunt. Too much beer? have you ever seen a frat boy? Zach is far from looking like that. If anything, he spends too much time inside writing music, and consequently has the complexion of a tired zombie. He just needs to sleep for a week , eat a huge meal and start hitting the weights.
i kinda feel the same way. he looks significantly different than he did two years ago. i mean obviously one grows up between 20 and 22 (or 21 and 23?) but he looks much older than that. last year he definitely looked delicious food puffy, now he looks hard living puffy. idk, idk. I would still have SO MANY zach condon babies though.
I thought the same thing when I saw his picture recently. But I don’t think it’s a drinking thing. I agree with the exhausted theory. I still want him bad.
letterman is the ultimate hipster
Speaking of hitting the weights, I am due in the gym in 20 mins…
Yeah, those toilets aren’t going to clean themselves.
Leave Zach alone
Top that Leno.
what is zach condon playing
Beirut is forever
What is that Spencer Krug line…you are a singer, with a stolen voice?
I think he’s directly speaking to this jerkoff.
Kelly Pratt is the man.
explain
I love the line about the accordion being the most out of tune instrument in the fucking world, because it is so true.
lol at these comments.