If you are looking to see a seriously talented band that will entertain you from beginning to end, then you must go to the next Beirut show. Beirut took the stage to a completely full house at Republic last Friday. Fans lined up spanning a block long waiting to see multi-instrumentalist Zach Condon and his five-piece backing band.

Condon opened the show saying, “This city has shown us an amazing time.” The opening song was “The Concubine” from March of the Zapotec/Holland EP, which pleased the crowd. The audience really began to rave, though, during the second song, “Elephant Gun,” at the sound the trumpet that Kelly Pratt so skillfully played.

The band saved their popular single “Postcards from Italy” for fifth on the setlist. Condon announced, “If you know this song, please sing along,” and to my surprise, the crowd became even more animated, dancing and clapping, despite the lack of space. Condon played the ukulele gracefully yet powerfully, which creates much of the band’s unique and engaging sound.

Towards the middle of the set, the band played one of their softer songs, “Nantes,” from The Flying Club Cup. However, the crowd continued to rage on, jumping up and down, creating a mosh pit. After the song, Paul Collins said with pleasure, “This is the first time ever that a mosh pit has broken out!”

Two songs later, the band closed with “East Harlem,” which will be featured on their new album The Rip Tide, scheduled for release August 30.

The band did not get to pause for long. After they left the stage, the crowd started chanting “Beirut, Beirut!” over and over until they returned to play four more songs. Condon ended the show saying, “Goodnight New Orleans, see you next time.”