Vampire Weekend; 21st November 2009, Oxford Art Factory

Over the past two weeks I’ve been lucky enough to be apart of the “Vampire Weekend PR Package”. That is: listen to the new album Contra (out January, review under embargo), interview drummer Chris Thomson (interview under embargo) and see the band at one of only two gigs they’ll play in Sydney during their promotional tour (not under embargo).

I’ve heard mixed reviews about their live show, but I have to say it was surprisingly great (much like Britney before it). Considering my biggest complaint I’ve ever had with Vampire Weekend has been their habit of hawking off world music traditions in ways only pretty frat boys can do, they handle that fact quite well live. Most of the attention is placed on Ezra, the signature “prettiest face” and leader of the group, and his knack for pulling out “sweet solos” on his Epiphone.

Some would argue that they should be a but more inventive live, but I think their white boy stylings are becoming almost counter-culture: people pay upwards of $80 to see boring dudes in cardigans play with ProTools live on-stage. At least these guys have a dress sense and are a bit groovy with the average rock set-up.

On the topic of groove, the new stuff sounds great. New songs Cousins practically is an Ivete Sangalo song, though. All the originals became huge singalongs. I doubt they’ll play venues this small next time. Hordern, here they come.