They're big in Japan

Vampire Weekend last played Fuji Rock just three years ago in 2010, so there may have been a touch less anticipation this time, though there was still plenty of excitement. And there was of course the new album, Modern Vampires of the City, which is only two months old. Lead vocalist and guitarist Ezra Koenig, wearing a two-tone shirt that made it look almost like he had a sweater tied around his neck, was more than eager to tell the crowd of about 20,000 at Fuji Rock’s Green Stage that, “We are going to play a few new ones tonight.” So even though they opened with “Cousins” and closed the set out with “Walcott”, they also gave Japan a first live listen of new hits like “Ya Hey” and “Diane Young.” Their status also has taken a step up on the Fuji Rock scale. In 2010 they played the same stage, but it was early afternoon. This time around they effectively opened for The Cure, with a 7:20pm start and were on of the festivals half-dozen top headliners. But they still didn’t get an encore. For that, they may have to wait till next time.