Live music review: Vampire Weekend wows ACL TV audience
On a late August evening, that provided little cloud coverage and ample dry heat, the sparse rain drops and grey clouds that came served relief to the many adoring fans waiting in the stand-by line outside of ACL Live to witness NYC-based Vampire Weekend record their second Austin City Limits television taping as part of the PBS series’ 45th season. The relief from the exhausting Central-Texas sun was an auspicious start to the evening. This was the third consecutive night Vampire Weekend would grace the Moody Theater stage.
From the moment they were introduced, the band set an energetic and upbeat tone with “Sympathy,” the echoing, synth laden, psych-influenced track from their latest double LP, Father of the Bride. This was followed up with instantly recognizable “Unbelievers,” a classic Vampire Weekend song from their acclaimed 2013 Modern Vampires of the City.
“How many of you were here the past two nights?” band leader Ezra Koenig asked the exuberant crowd, referring to the concerts they’d put on the previous two nights. The show continued with “Kwassa” and a memorable extended rendition of “Stoneflower,” in which the band’s newly-added guitarist, Brian Robert Jones erupted into passionate riffs that prompted the audience to respond by going into a frenzy, adding a fitting and rich degree of intensity to this Vampire Weekend performance.
The New Yorkers continued to mesh vintage classics with fresh material during a set that displayed plain-to-see growth in a band that already comes off warmly familiar. Cuts like ‘White Sky,” the catchy 2010 hit “Cousins,” and their most-recognizable tune “A-Punk” were seamlessly intertwined with the VW’s more recent tracks, the likes of “Bambina,” ”2021,” and “Harmony Hall.”
The harmonious integration of several new band members seems to have injected new life and perspective into Vampire Weekend. Perhaps this is indicative of Koenig’s growth as a musician and songwriter? Extended live versions of their studio recordings opened fans to one new layer after another of song direction from the band. Their creative expansion is plainly evident.
The set was finished with a poignant, ballad-like delivery of “Jerusalem, New York, Berlin,” that accompanied with Will Canzoneri’s emotive keyboard musings captivated the crowd.
A four-song encore followed that began with a nostalgic-yet-timely cover of Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over.” Vampire Weekend finished big with “Walcott,” from their 2008 self-titled debut LP to wrap up a momentous ACL TV taping.
All photos Scott Newton courtesy of ACL TV
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