Music
Review
Vampire Weekend at O2 Academy Brixton, 10/12/24
In the midst of their ‘Only God Was Above Us’ victory lap, the NYC indie darlings return to Brixton’s hallowed ground after 14 years
After storming west London’s Eventim Apollo last Wednesday and Thursday, Vampire Weekend resumed their four-night, two-part London residency at O2 Academy Brixton. “Was anyone here in 2010?” asked frontman Ezra Koenig on stage, reflecting on the NYC indie legends’ previous visit to this rite of passage on the London gig ladder.
Nearing two decades since their breakout period, Vampire Weekend still remain just as relevant and creatively invigorated, only now showcasing their added touch of class. Shifting approximately 20,000 tickets for this UK toud in London alone, their enduring fanbase – which comprises first-time gig-goers as well as older indieheads – stands as living proof of this longevity.
Following a customary few years of inactivity, Koenig and co. appeared out of the woodshed in April with their fifth album ‘Only God Was Above Us’. Expansive, twinkly and somewhat wintery, nine cuts received outings in the setlist, with the pulsating ‘Gen-X Cops’ proving a notable highlight.
Although ‘Capricorn’ did lose some of its delicacy in the live room, the happy-go-lucky ‘Prep-School Gangsters’ slotted straight in like a classic. The drawn-out ‘Hope’ sealed its place as a glorious main set closer, each member departing the stage one at a time as the cacophony of noise faded out to solely bass.
When it came to the greatest hits, ‘A-Punk’ and ‘Diane Young’ retained their youthful exuberance, while the intricate ‘Harmony Hall’ and uber-catchy ‘This Life’ persisted from the ‘Father Of The Bride’ era. Despite playing for nearly two hours, the now-customary run of mystery cover requests fleshed out the show towards marathon territory.
Not that their musicianship was ever in any doubt, but impromptu renditions of the likes of ‘Sultans Of Swing’, ‘Twist And Shout’ and the poignant ‘Guns Of Brixton’ reinforced Vampire Weekend’s ability to conjure magic out of thin air, which added an aura of unpredictability to the night and rewarded fans – many of whom came armed with signs – down the front.
Their signature, cosy indie twang has served them well. But the element of surprise – with each record, tour and individual live show – ensures Vampire Weekend’s relevance prevails, refusing to simply rest on the laurels of their early success. Let’s hope it’s not another five-year wait until the next time…
Vampire Weekend finish their UK tour tonight at O2 Academy Brixton – find tickets here
