Vampire Weekend Tour
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Frequently Asked Questions
What songs will Vampire Weekend play in concert?
Vampire Weekend has three very different albums under their belt, and each one seems to cover a major element of the band’s broad appeal. Vampire Weekend is a folk rock group, but it goes deeper than that. They have major indie credibility, some serious mainstream clout, and critical acclaim, which are all represented across their full discography and in their setlist.
We begin with their debut self titled album which placed the enigmatic group on the map. The group stays rather consistent with their setlist, but a few changes appear sporadically. “Blake’s Got a New Face” from the aforementioned self-titled record is either left off entirely or placed near the end of the set. Other debut hits such as “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” and the bubbly “A-Punk” make an appearance on most setlists. These songs are very poppy and hipster, and it manages to come at the right time providing the group with some mainstream longevity. The group omits the ever popular “Mansard Roof” to the frustration of many.
But it was the group’s bizarre follow-up that provides them that indie credibility. Contra was quite inaccessible compared to the first, and the group plays around with a few songs from that record. Notably, the record’s opening track “Horchata” which has a powerful African tribal feel, known as afrobeat, and it extends throughout the setlist. The album’s other single, “Cousins,” appears on every setlist.
But it was not until the group’s recent Modern Vampires of the City where they gained universal critical acclaim. This recent record is well represented here, and appropriately so. It flexes the greatest musical might and variety the band is currently capable of. Mid-album cut “Diane Young” opens up the set, and “Ya Hey” is played towards the end.
Ultimately, the band has a perfect blend between their three respective records, the first offering a mainstream pop appeal, the second the brush of indie cred, and the third ushering in the critical brilliance.
Diane Young
White Sky
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
Unbelievers
Holiday
Step
Finger Back
I Stand Corrected
Horchata
Everlasting Arms
Cousins
California English
A-Punk
Ya Hey
Campus
Oxford Comma
Giving Up the Gun
Obvious Bicycle
Hannah Hunt
One (Blake’s Got a New Face)
Walcott
Will I hear any new material or covers?
Back in 2008, Vampire Weekend had only a single record of about 35 minutes in length, so they had a few covers come out to pad out the set. But the group plays no covers in their 2014 live show, though they recently recorded a version of Bruce Springsteen’s, “I’m Goin Down.” They also do not play any new material beyond 2013’s Modern Vampires of the City. There are rumors the group will go back to recording after this last tour in support of that 2013 release.
How long is a Vampire Weekend concert?
Despite having more material to work with in 2014 compared to 2008 and 2009, the group still plays a rather prompt and strict 90 minute set.
Who is Vampire Weekend’s publicist and press contact?
The group leaves everything open and transparent on their official website. Their management company is the oddly titled Monotone, Inc, who also works with the White Stripes alum Jack White. They do not have a public email, weirdly enough, but they can be contacted through 323-308-1818.
US press can be sent through Sonya Kolowrat of XL Recordings. This is the group’s current label and Kolowat is their current label contact. She can be reached at sonyakolowat@xlrecording.com. The main label head is Kris Chen who can subsequently be reached at krischen@xlrecordings.com.
The group even provides a direct contact link for reaching the band. This is vampireweekend@gmail.com, but I would not expect much of a response.
How do I get access to presale tickets for Vampire Weekend’s tour?
Vampire Weekend provides some excellent presale resources through their official website. All dates are listed for presale, but they need to be obtained early and the window of opportunity is slim.
You can try a more conventional means, such as Presale Passwords Info. The online resource accumulates public and private presales for use, but you need an account with them as well as TicketMaster to obtain the tickets.
Local affiliates, such as CBS, provide exclusive presales for the community, so stay close to the venue and affiliates of the city of your choice.
Concert Reviews
“Step” went over especially well, as does any predictable anthemic rock song based off of “Pachelbel’s Canon” tends to do. The audience acted like they were at a Skrillex show, unanimously doing that one rhythmic finger-pointing move while lead singer Ezra Koenig looked bored to death. “Diane Young” came next — and never has there been more of a Buddy Holly rip-off — but it’s catchy nonetheless and moves more into classic rock territory than the Afrobeat of VW’s previous releases.” – Eric Manning of Consequence of Sound
“Though the frontman was asked to do much of the heavy lifting on past tours, these days the band’s concerts rely far more on the musical interplay between the four mates: Koenig, bassist Chris Baio, drummer Chris Tomson and multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij. Tomson, in particular, was a constant revelation, whether he was pounding nails on “A-Punk” or pulling back for “Everlasting Arms,” a twinkling hymn of a song that built to a near-symphonic close.” – Andy Downing of Columbus Live
“The rest of the band were impressive to watch as they constructed the intricate, unorthodox soundbeds for songs such as White Sky and Hannah Hunt. Rostam Batmanglij was the busiest, playing guitar, keys and singing, while Chris Tomson did smart work on both electronic and conventional drums.” –David Smyth of the London Evening Standard
Tour Archive
Modern Vampires of the City 2013
Tour Opening Acts: Chvrches, Arctic Monkeys
Started June 26, 2013 in Pilton, England| Ended November 21, 2013 in Paris, France
Vampire Weekend: Touring with Contra
Tour Opening Acts: Beach House, Dum Dum Girls
Started January 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California | April 19, 2010 in Oakland, California
Vampire Weekend Tour 2008
Tour Opening Acts: Straylight Run
Started April 11, 2008 in Providence, Rhode Island | Ended July 27, 2008 in Vancouver, British Columbia