Cover Photo by Chiaki Nozu/WireImage
What is Vampire Weekend up to? That is what fans have been asking themselves for four years now. Since 2014 the band has not performed on stage together. Their last album, Modern Vampires of the City, came out in 2013. Since then, they have not put out any new music as a band. Since then founding member, Rostam Batmanglij, parted ways with the group stating in a tweet that “my identity as a songwriter + producer, I realized needs to stand on its own.”
The departure has not stopped the group from making music. The lead singer, Ezra Koenig indicted to fans on Twitter that a new album was nearly done. He further gave details to Zane Lowe revealing that the body of work is tentatively called Mitsubishi Macchiato.
“The last album was kind of our darker one. A little more somber, a lot of death and kind of sadness. And unfortunately I can’t fully shake that. There’s always going to be an element of that. But I liked the name Mitsubishi Macchiato because it reminded me to wake up a little bit too and maybe get back to some other vibes. It’s going to be a mix. That last album felt very kind of autumnal, wintry, and I wanted to do something that at least has elements of springtime. Because life has to keep going. So you know, macchiato wakes you up, Mitsubishi makes you happy.”
Earlier this year they announced that they would return in the summer at End of the Road Festival in the UK on the first of September. Since the first announcement they added a few more events to the lineup. Those in the US were thrilled to see them on the Lollapalooza lineup.
In preparation for these major events they have done a few surprise performances. The first was in April on “Running Late”, an event held in LA by HQ Trivia host Scott Rogowsky. From this performance it is unclear what the bands lineup will be. A percussionist, keyboard player, and lead guitarist reportedly joined band members Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio, and Chris Tomson, but there is no confirmation if any of them are permanent fixtures. They also did pop up shows in Ojai, California, at the Observatory in Santa Anna, and at the Novo in LA. They were even nice enough to post their setlist from their Santa Anna show on their Facebook. Koenig has also shared with fans how excited he was to wear his favorite fleece for the first seven songs in Ojai.
Then just this week the festival organizers announced a surprise show. The event, which sold out in minutes, will be held at the Metro on Sunday August 8th. Those lucky enough to snag a ticket will be the only ones to know what goes on at the show as the show has a strict no phone policy; that’s right you, will see no videos no audio nothing. While nothing is confirmed, this rule could serve as a potential indication that some new music could be in store for those fortunate few (and the rest of us once they decide to release it).
While a lot is still wrapped in mystery about the return of Vampire Weekend, one can only hope that we receive answers in the form of music the first weekend of August in Chicago.