Beruit Returns

Posted by Chris Grigsby in Santa Fe

How many people can Santa Fe cram into the plaza on a Sunday evening for an artist homecoming concert? The answer is about a 3,000 for the anticipated Sept. 4 Beruit concert, according to an estimate from The Santa Fe New Mexican. Hundreds of people started mulling in the downtown area from about noon on, partly because of the spill of tourist and out-o- towners for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, but mostly for the show, of course. AMP Concert introduced the show with words from Jamie Lenfestey, the director of AMP Santa Fe, and the man who brought Beruit back to Santa Fe. The last time the band had a show here was in 2011 for the release of the album, The Ripe Tide.

The band took the stage to a very warm applause, which was well needed in the cold cloud covered backdrop. There were no words said as Beruit started playing, “Scenic World,” and the crowd eased in. There were a mixture of hippies, hipsters, burnouts and cowboys of various ages all enjoying the free show. Beruit’s appropriately named song, “Santa Fe,” got the most applause before the band went into some of their new material from its recent album, No No No, which was released on Sept. 11.

The new album marks a turning point for Zach Condon, front man and former dropout of Santa Fe High. No No No is the first album released by the band since its four year hiatus from the recording studio. The sound has been described as folk pop with classic waltz groove for which Beruit is known.

Overall, the show was a great two-hour homecoming for the local boys with brass/jazz roots, and a chance for the community to exhale one last time before the change of the season.