The future of the Vampire Weekend that fans know and love was in uncertain territory with the departure of key member Rostam Batmanglij after the release of their most recent album ‘Modern Vampires of the City’.

With such a huge influence on the band’s sound and songwriting, many wonder what kind of direction the band will take in the future. News of a new album having been recently completed and their first live appearances in the years since Batmanglij departed got fans excited to hear new material and have their first taste of the ‘new’ Vampire Weekend. But would we finally be able to hear new songs from the band?

Their live set on the Green stage on Sunday, as well as other 2018 summer appearances definitely entertained and kept fans happy as the Vampire Weekend everyone knows and loves stuck to their trademark sound, but at the same time, there was no preview of any new material whatsoever.

With their usual energetic demeanor, plus the addition of a few new members, the band pulled from gems all throughout their large catalog, spicing it up with a few smart covers along the way.

Bringing out Haim sister, Danielle, at the end, the band made sure that nobody went home empty-handed, though it seemed that the set ran short on surprises, without a trace of any new material to be heard.

I guess fans have to wait for the new album and it’s supporting tour to decide whether Vampire Weekend’s long hiatus and member changes live up to the anticipation.

SETLIST

Diane Young
Holiday
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (into “Here Comes the Sun”)
Oxford Comma
White Sky
Horchata
New Dorp. New York (SBTRKT cover)
Step
Unbelievers
Cousins
A-Punk
Worship You
Ya Hey
Empty Line
The Boys Are Back in Town (with Danielle Haim)
Obvious Bicycle (with Danielle Haim)
Son of a Preacher (with Danielle Haim)