EHDEN, Lebanon — Saturday night. The stage is pressed hard against a pine-covered hill. The stars are out. The crowd is shouting “Leila.”

I have come to see Mashrou’ Leila, a Lebanese indie rock band with a loyal boho following, at an outdoor concert in a mountain village north of Beirut. Mashrou’ Leila sings in Arabic. So I understand none of the lyrics. I do understand something about why its sexy, soulful, defiantly joyful music is a bit like air to its fans.

Tonight, they seem to be inhaling it with all their senses, as though right now, right here, this is what they need, to just be themselves.