Wow. I don’t really know what to say.

Going back to Beirut’s Basement, one year after our live debut there, was truly sweet. I must admit I had a few apprehensions about doing this show. I actually have apprehensions every time I’m back in Beirut, because I never know what to expect. Are people going to show up? How are they going to react? The usual.

I just woke up after only 4 hours of sleep. I couldn’t sleep more because the excitement’s still there. That bittersweet taste you get when a show’s out of the way after weeks of buildup: it all happened so fast.

And you were all truly wonderful, I mean it. It was a pleasure watching and hearing you sing along – and on your own! – watching you move, dance. And all the positive vibes that were there. Not a single negative thing, not one. It was great to see familiar faces who knew the words to the songs, new faces who seemed to be enjoying it just as much.

I want to thank all the people who contributed to making this happen. Hadi and everyone at the Basement. Ziad Nawfal. Woody and George on sound. The opening band Lazzy Lung. And the beautiful people who shared the stage with me: George on electronics/voice effects, Liz on VJ-ing, and Antonio on guitar.

Finally, I can’t describe how amazing it felt to perform 3 songs with my special guest of the night, Ramy Tibi from the band Rama’s Whisper. Ramy and I had a band together exactly 10 years ago. I was a guitar player then, and he called me up one day asking me to join his band Kynslinn Tobacco… as a singer. And the rest was history. Sharing the stage with someone you know so well and with so much talent was magical, and we will most certainly do it again.

A big big thank you again to every single one of you who was there yesterday night,

All my love,

R