As I have written before, I am thoroughly enjoying the few songs I have heard of Vampire Weekend, so of course I was going to make it out to the Troubadour for Vampire Weekend's first show in LA. The LA Weekly this week described their music as an "effortlessly appealing brand of jangly, African-inspired indie pop". Their quick guitar riffs, incredible percussion, high pitch keyboard and rhythmic bass do nothing to negate this comparison.
While often, the buzz out of NYC can be deaffening, often times, they get it right and the Brooklyn hipsters are definitely right. Vampire Weekend's combination of world music, pop music, and ska are a perfect combination and are coming at the perfect time. While bands such as Arcade Fire and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah steal indirectly from early Talking Heads, Vampire Weekend logically continue the trend and steal indirectly from later era Talking Heads. Top that all off with the band's Upper East Side prepster wardrobe of boat shoes and oxford shirts.
As the LA Weekly wrote, they do it effortlessly. In the begin, Vampire Weekend seemed a bit tight and nervous, but as the set continued, the band loosened up and eventually got the youngsters in the front to dance along. Without sounding too much like the hype machine, I expect some big things from these guys and would love to see them again when I actually know the material.
They will be playing in LA again tonight at Silverlake Lounge with Eastern Conference Champions, Faker and French Semester. (NOTE: the Eastern Conference Champions were scheduled to play at Cinespace, but they are now playing Silverlake Lounge). Should be a great line up.
So lucky. So, so lucky.
Posted by: Nikki Bridges | July 18, 2007 at 07:59 PM
I am thinking about catching them when they come here in Toronto though I am unsure how popular they are here.
Anyway I bought their Blue CD-R from them and this "album" is simply amazing. I would suggest you email Vampire Weekend themselves like I did. Or I could host the album for you to download...
Posted by: Allan Cheng | August 06, 2007 at 12:28 AM
i have to say they rare unique but if they want me to listen they need faster music
Posted by: Rebecca | March 04, 2008 at 06:27 PM
I just loved watching it :)
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