CityLife

Must see: Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend

MADE by the Blogosphere, Vampire Weekend swept the live scene in 2008 like a band of Pied Pipers sucking in spotty, influential youngsters wherever they went.

They’ve rapidly become one of those ‘must see before you die’ bands thanks to their profoundly uncool approach and far out aesthetic.

A curious mix of African rhythms (for a less obscure reference, think Paul Simon’s Graceland) and sparky indie songwriting, the band became a major name when their debut album crashed into the Top 15 two years ago.

In all honesty, we can hardly believe they’re only playing the Apollo at this stage, or that there are still tickets to be had. Because if there were more of you out there that had heard A-Punk or Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, we feel sure you’d have battered down the box office doors.

New album, Contra, throws the same world-influenced shapes but is never afraid to almost fall apart; take recent single Cousins – a track with more than a small debt to Elvis Costello – or free download Horchata as prime examples.

Our one point of concern? Their persistently preppy image.

If boating shoes and wooly jumpers tied casually around your shoulders are your idea of cool couture, though, you can buy into the whole Vampire Weekend schtick with pride.

Apollo - February 8, 2010 - £15.50.