speed of dark

Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig--snazzy shorts!

The last time Vampire Weekend came through the Los Angeles area, I missed them because I was still in my denial phase that they were a band that could not possibly live up to the hype surrounding them. Then I learned the error of my ways and bought their debut self-titled CD which may likely appear on my favorites list this year. So I was glad to catch them Tuesday night at the Glasshouse, a small, all-ages venue.

I think Alt-gramma was less enthused than I to see this band, since she hadn't heard the whole album and hadn't really gotten into their island-influenced music. However, I think she left the show quite a bit more impressed than before the show. In a stark comparison to the two opening bands, Vampire Weekend really knew how to put on a show, especially lead singer Ezra Koenig, engaging the audience in a sing-along and generally entertaining the audience, which I feel is an important part of a concert and too many young bands, especially, fail to do.

Vampire Weekend played every track from their debut album, and a few new songs which were as yet unnamed (or at least, no names were given). Koenig told the audience that they were looking forward to writing a few more new songs. Check out a few of our favorites and Alt-gramma's photos from the show.


Click to enlarge

Left, Koenig; right, Koenig with bassist Chris Baio

Left, Rostam Batmanglij on keys; right, Koenig

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Setlist:
1 Mansard Roof
2 Campus
3 Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
4 M79
5 (new song)
6 Bryn
7 (new song - lyrics included a refrain of "can't take it")
8 A-Punk
9 One (Blake's Got A New Face)
10 I Stand Corrected
11 The Kids Don't Stand A Chance
12 (new song - lyrics included "80% still agree")
13 Oxford Comma

Encore
14 Walcott

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