After a long six years, Vampire Weekend returned to Colorado for two late season Red Rocks show this past week. Wednesday’s show was the second chance for fans to catch live versions from this year’s Father of the Bride, which were featured heavily among a total of 34 songs. The new album and their live shows have garnered comparisons to jam bands, which I’m not sure I completely see, but Wednesday was certainly a new Vampire Weekend compared to the band I had seen on previous tours. They stretched portions of songs in new directions and long jams snuck their way into some favorites. Guitarist Brian Robert Jones, a new addition, was a standout performer. He punched up the Afro-Pop guitar melodies with heavier, adventurous lead work as he bounced around the stage.
The band was energetic on stage which I’m assuming was part showmanship, part an attempt to stay warm. The temperature dipped into the 30s and most of the show was spent tucked inside of coat hoods and rain jackets. Despite the cold and moisture, the crowd stayed light; at one point the band even played “A Punk” twice, back-to-back, admitting it was a great song to keep warm with. Wind early in the evening threatened to postpone the show, but ended up dying down just in time, resulting in crystal clear sound, even at the very top.
The song selection was surprisingly different from night one and still managed to check all of the fan boxes. Classics from their self-titled album like “M79,” “Oxford Comma,” and “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” were crowd favorites as were newer additions like “This Life” and “Diane Young.” The night also included an assorted handful of covers. These included a Grateful Dead-esque “Mountain Brews” by singer Ezra Koenig’s friend’s band also named Mountain Brews, the very 80’s Dylan cover “Jokerman,” and Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over.”
The show opened with a hard rocking set from Nashville’s Soccer Mommy. Singer Sophie Allison delivered her sad, downtempo rock through her honest, unassuming voice, backed by heavy drums and distorted guitars.
The evening defied the weather and was a highlight of the 2019 Red Rocks season. Vampire Weekend has crafted a catalog deep enough deliver a flawless, fun, and unpredictable set, and musicians to execute it. Let’s hope it’s just not another six years before they’re back.
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