Vampire Weekend are a band like no other; infusing Indie Pop with Afrobeat they create a light and energetic sound that is pretty much guaranteed to get a crowd going. After a momentous year following 2013 album ‘Modern Vampires of the City‘, a world tour and a well-deserved Grammy, the New-York band graced the main stage again for the first time in 5 years to play a selection of hits from their vast catalogue.
When it comes to timing, opening for the headliners is a tough slot to pull off – the chosen act has got to be able to entertain and build the energy of the crowd in preparation. This is difficult enough but even more so when you’re a quirky indie band like Vampire Weekend setting the stage for a pop-punk band like Paramore. Naturally doubt arose among crowd members who were less acquainted with the band- and not only from die-hard pop-punk bands. The guys beside me seemed to be critiquing Vampire Weekend before they had even graced the stage, questioning a poor girl nearby continuously until eventually they had a short biography of the band. However, when Ezra Koenig stepped on stage with his mahogany guitar, perfectly combed quiff and leather jacket (looking every bit the Elvis Presley) opinions seemed to change.
From the first ‘baby baby, baby, right on’ of ‘Diane Young’, to the ‘Oooh’s of ‘White Sky’ and familiar riff of ‘A-Punk’- not one person could deny that they were having an incredible time. As always their set was packed full of energy and enough groovy riffs to get your hips involuntarily moving. It was far removed from the heavier riffs of following acts Paramore and Queens Of the Stone Age, however it was a great way to start with the mood lightand fun and Vampire Weekend able to offer something different.
Corrine Corrodus
Corrine Corrodus
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