Vampire Weekend- BMO Harris Pavillion, 6/4/14

The first time I saw Vampire Weekend, was in April of 2008 at Turner Hall Ballroom.  The show was sold out, or very close, if memory serves, on the heels of a white hot, self-titled debut record from the quartet formed at Columbia University. Aside from the Turner Hall Ballroom being full-to-the-gills, I recall the band being young and somewhat awkward on stage.  Who could blame them?  This was a group of young Ivy League musicians who had played regionally out east and at local colleges just months prior, and now, thanks to the Internet, were thrust upon a national scene with considerable buzz.  I also recall the lead singer/guitarist, Ezra Koenig, not making a ton of eye contact with the crowd, let alone engaging the audience. At the time, this was a band of unexpected musicians.  Little did I, or the band know, what the future would hold.

Fast forward 6 years, and we find Vampire Weekend at the height of their career thus far.  Spurred on by an exceptional release, 2013's Modern Vampires in the City, which earned a coveted spot on many critics' top albums of 2013 lists (including mine), and a Grammy at that, Ezra Koenig and company have soared to new heights as musicians and performers.  Any awkwardness from 2008 is long gone.  A bare-bones house lights show has been replaced with an elaborate visual spectacle that included Greek-style pillars hanging up, a curtain covered with floral designs as a background, a light show that would be comparable to any national arena act, and even the unique touch of a mirror which would project images and make funky effects when the stage lights hit it.  The 2008 fresh from college band has turned into one of the hottest bands in the country.

When we ask ourselves how this happened, the answer is easier to see than one might think.  Often times, Vampire Weekend evokes the spirit of Graceland era Paul Simon.  And, who doesn't love Graceland?  The Afro-beat guitar styling of Koenig and guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij served as a centerpiece of the majority of the band's tunes.  This was most evident on "White Sky," the second tune performed in the set which, in many ways, serves as a microcosm of the band's sound. Any awkwardness must have worn off of bassist/vocalist Chris Baio long ago, as he was the most animated of the group, frequently tuning his back to the audience and shaking his tush not unlike George Michael in the famous '80's "Faith" video.  While this was registered as "unnecessary" and even more-so "comic" by me and my concert companions, the high school girls and college women didn't seem to mind in the least.

Musically, Vampire Weekend played a nice variety off of their three records.  Newer numbers like "Step," "Everlasting Arms," and "Obvious Bicycle" got the crowd bopping and singing along.  Although, when you really think of it, which tune did Vampire Weekend play that was not greeted with a warm audience reception?  The diverse crowd ranged from high school and college students, to men like myself, in their mid thirties, to several folks who were older.  It takes a special band with a neat sound to pull off that kind of an age-range of an audience.  Vampire Weekend's unique blend indie- Afro-beat rock proves they are just the act to do so.

Set list from setlist.com

1. Diane Young 
2. White Sky 
3. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa 
4. Unbelievers 
5. Holiday 
6. Step 
7. Finger Back 
8. Horchata 
9. Everlasting Arms 
10. Cousins 
11. California English 
12. A-Punk 
13. Ya Hey 
14. Campus 
15. Oxford Comma 
16. Giving Up the Gun 
17. Obvious Bicycle 
18. Encore:
18. Hannah Hunt 
19. Walcott