Beirut is on tour, and they'll be coming to Denver at the end of this month. Beirut will be at the Fillmore Auditorium on September 28 performing to support their new third full length album The Rip Tide. Beirut is an indie folk rock band, put together by Zach Condon, that is notable for their world influenced music. Zach Condon played jazz trumpet growing up, and jazz is a major influence in Beirut's music. Condon then became aware of and then heavily influenced by world music after discovering balkan folk music on travels to Europe. While studying at the University of New Mexico, Condon recorded his first album The Gulag Orkestar, a smooth blend of gypsy music and jazz.

Since then, Beirut continued their experimentation with international music styles and adapted more folk sounds from around the world to their own sound. Beirut's second album, The Flying Club Cub was heavily influenced by Condon's appreciation for French chanson music. The March of the Zapotec & Realpeople - HollandEP had a heavy Mexican influence after Condon's trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. Beirut's new album The Rip Tide is a blend of all prior influences matched with a distinct indie sound that is uniquely Beirut.


All the world music influences are present in Beirut's new album, but rather than relying heavily on foreign styles to drive each song, those elements are cleverly matched with Beirut's own blend of indie folk pop rock. All together, I think this new album is the one that best showcases what Beirut is about. Check out "Sante Fe", a clever pop song that sounds like it came from an era long before pop existed. Listen to "East Harlem", a song that sounds familiar and classic, yet not like anything else out there. Beirut is sure to wow the Fillmore Auditorium with the breadth of their sound late this September.


Before Beirut performs, Laetitia Sadier will do an opening performance. Laetitia Sadier is a long time veteran on the music scene, being in bands since the late eighties. She is best known for being a part of the band Stereolab. Stereolab began in 1990, and were at the forefront of post-rock music. Laetitia Sadier played keyboard and guitar for Stereolab, but her most important contribution to the band was penning the bulk of the lyrics to their songs. Laetitia Sadier sang vocals for Stereolab, and her vocal style is a main component to what defines Stereolab's unique krautrock meets sunshine pop meets lounge sound.


In 2009, Stereolab went on hiatus, but Laetitia Sadier kept busy, working on a solo album called The Trip that was released late last year. Laetitia Sadier's album keeps much of the feel and sound of Stereolab, with perhaps a little extra dreampop. It sounds very much like a post-rock version of The Free Design, with dreamy melodies and complex harmonies sung over driving rhythmic guitar and drums. Check out "One Million Year Trip" and Sadier's cover of Wendy & Bonnie's "By The Sea".

The concert starts at the Fillmore Auditorium on September 28 at 7:30PM. Tickets start at $27.50 and are available now while supplies last. Tickets can be purchased online at LiveNation.

Beirut - Santa Fe by Revolver USA
Beirut - East Harlem by Revolver USA

Laetitia Sadier :: One Million Year Trip by eatomoro
Laetitia Sadier - By the Sea by kaffibatteri