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Alternative rock artist Beck made an impromptu appearance Thursday night at the Black Market, 110 W. Robinson.
Beck and his band packed the house with just a few hours notice to perform a free one-hour show.
Band members said they were on their way to Los Angeles from New York and decided to stop in El Paso for a show.
"We've wanted to play El Paso for months," Beck told the crowd at the beginning of the concert. "They told us we couldn't play here because no one would show up. Thanks for showing up."
The band played with a mish-mash of equipment that was cobbled together with the help of local musicians.
Black Market bartender Chris Lewels said he saw members of the band pull up to the bar Thursday evening.
"They just rolled up," Lewels said. "They looked lost."
But instead of asking for directions, the band surprised Lewels by inquiring about playing a show in the city. Lewels immediately offered the Black Market as a venue, and even went home to gather all of his music equipment -- microphones, guitars, bongos
and drums. Another local band lent a PA system.
"I was like, 'Let s do it,'" Lewels said. "We had like two hours to put this together."
Once the show was confirmed, Lewels and other Black Market employees started spreading the word. Within an hour, the bar started filling up, with many using cell phones to gather more fans.
By the time Beck took the floor at about 8:15 p.m., the 260-capacity Black Market was packed, with dozens more crowding outside to catch a glimpse of the show.
Beck delighted the audience with a mix of old and new songs like "Devil's Haircut," "Where it's at," "Qué Onda Guero" and "Girl."