Birth of a Big Band: Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend
@ Music Hall of Williamsburg
New York, NY - September 8, 2007

Where the heck did these kids come from? Were they even in an existence as a band a year ago? They don't even have an LP out yet (it comes out next January). Just a couple months ago, they were opening for the Thermals at Maxwell's. Yet here they are, Vampire Weekend, headlining a sold out show at the brand spanking new Music Hall of Williamsburg (so brand spanking new that the wood isn't polished yet). And not only was the place packed, but the several hundred in attendance were singing along with almost every song and pretty active towards the front and even on the sides. One would have no idea how relatively new this band is and would therefore be flummoxed by the rapidity with which they are climbing. In fact, this writer does have an idea and he's still flummoxed.
As for the music itself - if you like the Police, you'll like Vampire Weekend. But if you can only take so much Police, you will only be able to take so much Vampire Weekend (how poetic is it that this band busts out in the year that the Police reunite...well maybe not poetic, but something...). My favorite tune of theirs, "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" (video below), is more Paul Simon Graceland and mid-late Talking Heads than the Police, but a few twists and turns aside, this is a pleasant, white original ska affair.
And the funniest part of all...they only played for 45 minutes. They don't even know enough songs to play for an hour!
Photos here


Apologies to the Harlem Shakes and Yeasayer for missing them. The former have been toiling around for years and I've never had a chance to see them. Yeasayer is another rising band and if these trends continue, next week they'll be headlining the Music Hall while Vampire Weekend plays Giants Stadium.

Quick note on the video: It's terribly shot. I know. Believe me. I know. But still, in case you weren't there: