The times we had..
Despite the fact that they're playing Roskilde, Beirut in Tripod wasn't really something I could pass up. Especially as it didn't mean another lone gig with Kelan- Awkward City, Population: us; God bless Flann the Ultimate Buffer.
I left without an umbrella, so of course by the time I got to Pearse it was lashing down. "Look, you can see BLOCKS of rain." I tried the door-to-door dash but failed completely and met them at Burger King completely drenched, to much mockery. Naturally, the sun came out when we got to Tripod. *seethes*
Flann got in because the bouncer was made of soundness- "You can come in, if you promise to enjoy the gig."
I was kind of surprised by how big and.. Proper-venuey Tripod was. I'm used to pubs and the Crawdaddy "Here's the bar- oh, look, a stage." style.
We nabbed a booth- which are waaay too small for three people- and Flann cooled his head.
I remembered that I hate Guinness- after buying two, unfortunately.
The support- The One AM Radio, I think- were bland but melodic.
Flann got really impatient in his cute Flanny way.
When they did show- after losing half-a-dozen roadies to the rage of their complicated mic setup, probably- they brought a WORLD OF UKELELES.
Zach Condon kind of reminds me of Saul. Not in a bad way though.
..I would, but with my tastes that sadly goes without saying.
He was thoroughly langered already by the time he stumbled onstage, and in the course of the gig he worked his way through a pint -*mutter* "..finish off the night.." *chugs*- a Heineken, some dubious bright blue thing and a bottle of water (which he poured over his head rather than drinking.)
Not a bad night's worth for a skinny wee thing.
He forgot the words halfway through the opener (some new one)- slick. I was kind of worried it was all downhill from there- but no need.
It turned out to be a FANTASTIC gig- the crowd was mad, the band were great, and the aspect of we-may-have-to-make-this-up-as-we-go made it even better. Even with the barrier there was such a sense of cameraderie in the place.
They did all of Gulag Orkestar and a good bit of Lon Gisland, and some new (to me) ones.
Scenic World is SO good live aaahh- as is everything else. I WANT A UKELELE/TRUMPET/TEN-PIECE BAND/INCOHERENT SINGER
Most of what Zach said was indecipherable, but there was an intriguing reference to the last gig- "I apologise for any comments I made last time, I was.. Delirious and jetlagged... I didn't mean all that about the UK." His lapsing into French was also quality.
..Plus I'm the sort of person who found his having to empty his spit valve after every song endlessly amusing. \m/
I wait for the most flattering moment, you know.
I was expecting spectacular technical difficulties, but not a bit of it- having to ask for a plec from the audience was as grim as it got. (Flann had one, but he didn't say anything because he's a terrible person/was overcome. GOD FLANN)
They encored with.. Well, two I didn't know but now MUST HAVE.
When he wasn't playing bass/ten other intruments, this guy just jived around the place.
My hero.
We kept cheering- particular dues to the 'froed madman beside me- and Zach reappeared with a bewildered "You're still here.." and announced he was "going to try a little experiment."
Did he attempt Hallelujah on ukelele?
Yes. Yes he did.
He remembered two verses, and we prompted him through the rest. "Ah yes! Thank you!" His "..Next verse?" look is quite wonderful.
It was a long process, but he HAD TO GET TO THE END. <3
Sadly when he looked in my direction I yelled the wrong verse. SORRY ZACH.
Kelan declared it one of the best gigs he’d ever been too, and coming from him... That’s INSANE praise.
As for Flann.. “That gig could not have been better if he’d.. hired strippers to lick everyone.”
Flann and Kelan are actually really good gig buddies. Provided you can live with the constant references to each others’ mothers and generally sick humour (the so’s-your-faces were unrepeatable) it’s a laugh a minute!
Flann managed to lodge a dance version of Postcards from Italy in my head by the power of suggestion. The bastard. I also don't remember ever eating salad first thing after a gig before.. They're a strange influence.
It does still depress me how well Kelan and I get on when we’re not alone, and then he clams up completely when there's no-one to ease things along. Well, that's just how it is.
Unfortunately I mentioned Zach's undernourished charm to Chloe, and now she seems to have decided that my vocation is as a Beirut groupie. Great so, now I know what to do when Trinity falls through. Who needs level 7?
..My sleeping bag seems to have doubled in size. HOW IS IT DOING THIS