Beirut!

Okay, what the hell, Detroit? I get that you didn't come to see Laeitia Sadier, and I get that she wasn't very good, but don't talk over her entire set. She even asked the audience to quiet down a bit (which...really? "Please pay attention to me"?), and everyone kept talking. Come on, now, guys, show a little respect. Next time, if you don't want to listen to the opener, then don't come for the opener.

Although in the attendees' defense, she really wasn't great. She had no stage presence, the music wasn't exciting, the sound system didn't sound great, and she apparently didn't even look at anyone, at least in the front row. It was just a generally underwhelming performance. I feel like she would have fit better in a coffee shop or a restaurant.

On the other hand, the venue was pretty nice. Despite the poor sound at the beginning, which I would attribute to mis-calibrated levels, the sound system sounded great for the rest of the night, and the decor and general environment at Royal Oak Music Theatre was really cool.

I didn't actually know a whole lot about Beirut going into this concert. All I really knew was what I had heard on their myspace, which didn't really get me too excited. But they really put on an amazing live show! All of them are very talented multi-instrumentalists. I liked the rotating brass section. They managed to get through a French horn, two trumpets, a trombone, and a tuba over the course of their setlist. I think my favorite, though, was probably the accordion.

They also did a great job with the lighting. But I might just be a sucker for synchronized music and lights. I can't say that the show was as good as Muse or Mutemath, but it is definitely worth going to a Beirut show if you get the chance.