It’s been almost twenty years since Vampire Weekend first sprung to life, with the time since seeing them grow and develop their signature indie-pop sound into the richer, almost orchestral arrangements heard on their latest record, Only God Was Above Us.

Tonight, the band starts the show as the three remaining original members, opening with a handful of their earliest songs, set against a plain backdrop bearing only their name. This stripped-back start quickly bursts into a fuller, seven-piece setup, as the band’s sound widens to accommodate the greater breadth of their new music.

The nearly two-and-a-half-hour set encompasses every aspect of Vampire Weekend’s career, taking in hits such as Oxford Comma and newer offerings like the blistering Gen-X Cops. At no point does this massive performance risk becoming drawn-out, moving with a flow and structure reminiscent of a stage show, forming a narrative that keeps the audience dying to hear what comes next.

As Vampire Weekend brings the show to an end with album closer Hope, each member withdraws from the stage one by one until it lies empty. After such a stunning set, few could be left wanting more, and yet that’s exactly what Vampire Weekend comes back to give. Returning to the stage, frontman Ezra Koenig proclaims, “The show’s over; we’re just hanging out now,” as the band proceeds to take audience requests for covers. In this final portion of the evening, the band covers tunes such as Hey Jude, Hungry Heart, and an unexpected yet impressively executed Chop Suey.

Throughout the evening, Vampire Weekend exudes a certain confident ease, with an evident love for the music they’ve created and the fans who’ve made it all possible. Never arrogant, the band is clearly sure of its own abilities and tonight comes across as one ready and willing to take on the weight of its own legacy.

Article: Elliot Hetherton