Cirque Royal / Koninklijk Circus

Beirut is an American indie folk project formed in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2006 by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Zach Condon, who is the band's primary recording artist and sole constant member. In the studio and during live performances, Condon is joined by a rotating line-up of musicians, including Nick Petree (drums), Paul Collins (bass), Kyle Resnick (trumpet), Ben Lanz (trombone), and Aaron Arntz (piano, keyboards). The band is named after Lebanon's capital, reflecting its history of conflict and cultural exchange. Beirut's music incorporates elements of indie rock, Balkan folk, and world music. The band has released seven studio albums and four EPs. Their first performance with a full brass section took place in New York in May 2006, supporting their debut album Gulag Orkestar, although their initial show with Condon, Petree, and Collins occurred earlier that year at the College of Santa Fe.