WORDS AND IMAGES DESH KAPUR
Vampire Weekend at Manchester’s O2 Apollo was a blend of nostalgia and fresh music, it showcased their unique ability to merge indie-rock classics with the dynamic soundscapes of their latest album, Only God Was Above Us. Opening with a minimalist setup, just the trio of Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio, and Chris Tomson took the stage, guitars and drums in hand. The backdrop, a simple banner displaying the band’s name, set a raw, intimate tone as they launched into “Holiday” and “Kwassa,”
However, the show took a dramatic turn with the fourth song, “Ice Cream Piano.” As Koenig’s solo performance began, the backdrop fell to reveal an expanded band setup, including additional percussion, woodwinds, and strings. This sudden reveal transformed the atmosphere, bringing a lush, fuller sound to both their new material and reenergizing older tracks with fresh arrangements
Throughout the 27-song set, Koenig’s vocals shone brightly, hitting the challenging highs of fan favorites like “Hannah Hunt” and “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa.” The presence of a second drummer and multi-instrumentalists added layers of complexity, enriching the live experience with string and percussion textures. Koenig’s engagement with the audience, even spotlighting his fellow musicians during standout moments, further personalized the show
The setlist was a satisfying journey through their discography, including hits like “Oxford Coma” and “A-Punk,” along with surprises like inventive covers of Talking Heads and The Velvet Underground songs. The balance of old and new, alongside unexpected twists, kept the night vibrant and unpredictable
The encore was a celebration of diverse musical influences, with the band delivering a series of brief, energetic covers. They kicked off with a snippet of The Cardigans’ “Lovefool,” quickly transitioning into a double homage to The Velvet Underground with snippets of “Sweet Jane” and “Rock & Roll.” Their love for indie rock was also apparent in their take on The Strokes’ “Last Nite,” . The surprises continued with a heartfelt cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” followed by a rendition of Talking Heads’ “Road to Nowhere” that fit perfectly with the bands quirky, upbeat style. The energy soared when they threw in Cyndi Lauper’s 80s classic “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,”.
The setlist also featured some more unexpected moments: a snippet of Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!” brought a fresh, modern pop vibe, while their cover of Pulp’s “Common People” paid tribute to Britain’s own indie legends. The night reached another peak with their take on Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf,” which had fans singing along to every word. The encore came to a close with a brief but powerful snippet of “Theme From ‘New York, New York,'” ending the evening on a theatrical note. This wide-ranging selection of covers added a fun, spontaneous element to the night, reflecting Vampire Weekend’s playful approach and their ability to seamlessly jump between genres and eras
In the end, Vampire Weekend’s Manchester gig exemplified their enduring relevance. The evolution from their stripped-back opening to the grand reveal of a fuller band setup highlighted how they have matured as performers while staying true to the indie-rock spirit that first captivated fans
Set List
1/ Holiday
2/ Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
3/ I Stand Corrected
4/ Ice Cream Piano
5/ Classical
6/ Connect
7/ Unbelievers
8/ Step
9/ This Life
10/ Sunflower
(extended, with Super Mario Bros. Underground Theme)
11/ Sympathy
(extended)
12/ Pravda
13/ Horchata
14/ Campus
15/ Oxford Comma
16/ Capricorn
17/ Gen-X Cops
18/ Diane Young
19/ Cousins
20/ A-Punk
21/ Married in a Gold Rush / All the Gold in California / Sin City / Cumberland Blues / Possum
(“Cocaine Cowboys” medley)
22/ Mary Boone
23/ Hannah Hunt
24/ Harmony Hall
25/ Hope
Encore
16/ Lovefool
(The Cardigans cover) (snippet)
17/ Sweet Jane
(The Velvet Underground cover) (snippet)
18/ Rock & Roll
(The Velvet Underground cover) (snippet)
19/ Last Nite
(The Strokes cover) (snippet)
20/ Have You Ever Seen the Rain?
(Creedence Clearwater Revival cover) (snippet)
21/ Road to Nowhere
(Talking Heads cover) (snippet)
22/ Girls Just Want to Have Fun
(Cyndi Lauper cover) (snippet)
23/ HOT TO GO!
(Chappell Roan cover) (snippet)
24/ Common People
(Pulp cover) (snippet)
25/ Hungry Like the Wolf
(Duran Duran cover) (snippet)
26/ Walcott
27/ Theme From “New York, New York”
(Liza Minnelli song) (Frank Sinatra version, snippet)
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My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
