
Vampire Weekend performing during the Only God Was Above Us Tour at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on October 17, 2024, with Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio, and Chris Tomson. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
With a unique fusion of indie rock, Afro-pop, ska, hip-hop, '80s pop, and more, Vampire Weekend has been a defining force in indie music since the 2000s. Their lively, literate style, first showcased on their self-titled debut quickly propelled them from music blog darlings to chart-toppers. They were the first indie group to have two consecutive albums, Contra and Modern Vampires of the City, enter the Billboard 200 at number one.
Each album has seen Vampire Weekend expand their sound while maintaining their signature style. The band's members, vocalist/guitarist Ezra Koenig, drummer Chris Baio, multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij, and bassist Chris Tomson, met while studying at Columbia University. They formed Vampire Weekend in 2006, starting out by playing gigs at university events.
Their early releases, including the EP Vampire Weekend and singles like "Mansard Roof" and "A-Punk/Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa," caught the attention of music blogs and led to a record deal with XL Recordings. Batmanglij left the band, but he continued to collaborate with them. Their latest album, "Only God Was Above Us", is a noisy, experimental pop record that evokes the atmosphere of New York City in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Fan reviews:Setlist for the show at the Moody Center
Vampire Weekend was incredible! Set list selection, overall stage esthetics and sound were totally incredible and I’m so glad I finally got to experience them live. I feel like this is the mature and grown up version of the band that sweats the details and knows how to put on a successful show for their fans that have come to value in-person experiences.
The show exceeded expectations. I would see it again if I had the chance.
Vampire Weekend was everything I hoped they would be live! Would highly recommend anyone who likes Vampire Weekend to see them live!
Amazing! They blew my mind! Such a kind band and they put on a great show. Was not expecting them too sound so good live! Also, Cults was fantastic! Their performance was so beautiful.
Better than I imagined! Vampire Weekend was amazing, Already booking tickets to my next show and suggesting it to everyone else I know.
Amazing musicians and sound. Vampire Weekend proved that they are a real band who cannot only play their instruments, but are showmen as well. One of my top concerts.
They sound amazing live! Awesome show. Great venue. The band sounded so good live. They played old and new music. Loved every part of it. One of the best concerts I’ve attended!
- Cousins
- Holiday
- One (Blake's Got a New Face)
- Ice Cream Piano
- Classical
- Connect
- White Sky
- Unbelievers
- This Life
- Sunflower
- Sympathy
- New Dorp. New York
- Pravda
- Campus
- Oxford Comma
- Capricorn
- Gen-X Cops
- Diane Young
- A-Punk
- Prep-School Gangsters
- Mary Boone
- Harmony Hall
- Hope
- Man of Constant Sorrow
- Ramblin' Man
- I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
- Seinfeld Theme
- All Star
- Wonderful Christmastime
- Kokomo
- Many Men (Wish Death)
- Take On Me
- Sunday Morning
- Vienna
- My Way
- Walcott
Vampire Weekend was the main act at the Moody Center with guests Cults. They continue across the United States and Europe with the last stop at the AFAS Live in Amsterdam, Netherlands on December 15, 2024.
Vampire Weekend
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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