Vampire Weekend Comes Home

Some call it an obsession...I prefer mild stalking.

On Wednesday night, September 16th, I went to my fifth Vampire Weekend concert in a year. I saw them for the first time in January, as they celebrated the release of their number one album "Contra." That show ranks as the best concert I have ever been to, and I could try and explain why with words, but I'll let this picture I snapped on my old phone do the talking:

Vampire Weekend at Webster Hall, January 2010.

Fast forward through several months and three of their concerts (in Nashville, California, and Washington DC, respectively), and its time for a vampire homecoming at Radio City Music Hall. Talk about a reality check: the New York-based band sold out three consecutive nights at one of their city's largest venues. That's quite an impressive feat, and the crowd on Wednesday night was more than happy to welcome the band back home. They brought two opening bands with them, Dum Dum Girls, and Beach House. Beach House in particular really took advantage of their opportunity, bringing down the house with an impressive set. Glowing pyramids flashed underneath a faux-starry sky, as lead singer Victoria Legrand serenaded the crowd. One friend I was with boldly proclaimed there was no way Vampire Weekend could top their opener...I told her to just wait.

Vampire Weekend entered with DJ Khaled's "All I Do is Win," which served as a shot of caffine for the crowd, who immediately errupted with energy. The band began yet another incredible set with smiles and hellos. I got a special treat in hearing "I Think Ur A Contra," one of my favorite Vampire Weekend songs played live. Though my seats weren't as awesome as the first time I saw them, it didn't even matter: their energy from stage had the whole venue bouncing to the 'upper west side-soweto' of "Giving Up the Gun," "A-Punk," and "Walcott," among others. They even covered Bruce Springstien to the delight of many New Jersey residents in the crowd. It was even more fun for me, since I went to the concert with my best friend, and two other friends who hadn't seen them live before. Needless to say, they were more than impressed. They finally understood why I basically follow the band around the country...

Lead singer Ezra Koenig thanked the crowd for their devotion, and encouraged

some sing-alongs for a few of their more catchy songs. In case you haven't realized it

yet, this band puts on a show like no other: true crowd pleasers who sound BETTER live, a

s you watch them truly enjoy being on stage, and have fun with the crowd. By the end of the show, the four of us all admitted to being speechless, so impressed by the show (and a little hoarse from singing along). I recorded two of their songs, "M79" and "Horchata" on my phone, which you can watch below. Hopefully it will give you an idea of just how good they are live...but it really is something you have to see to believe!

"M79"

"Horchata"

In my last blog, I mentioned a video I took of the Scissor Sisters performing "Take Your Mama" live at their show...but forgot to include it! So here's the link now (the quality really improves once they start to sing):

"Take Your Mama"

My next concert adventure? Stars at Terminal 5...