It's a cold and damp night in Somerset House, where hundreds of fans cram themselves around the vast ice rink, expectantly waiting for Vampire Weekend. The setting is spectacular. Surrounded by Sir William Chambers Neoclassical architecture, ice skaters glide round the rink while others on the outside hop from foot to foot, a mix of excitement and necessity to keep warm.
Shortly after 6pm, the band take to their elevated stage: The balcony above Seamen's Hall. Although impressive, and beautiful to look at, the current set up doesn't really lend itself well to it's current role as a stage. Most of the band are obscured by the tall columns or the near chest height wall, and makes the whole thing feel a little like an audience with The Pope. Being down the front for this one definitely isn't for the best. Singer Ezra Koenig greets the crowd below and the band launch into their first song 'White Sky' from their new album 'Contra', which seems to contain traces of Paul Simon. The crowd, although somewhat detached from the action, seem to be warmly receiving the new material such as 'Holiday', 'Cousins' and 'California English' warmly, but it's the tracks from the bands debut that really bring them to life. Koenig blows into his cupped hands to try and summon up some dexterity from his chilled digits for the start of the faster, fingery 'A-Punk'. This gets the huddle of a hundred so people down the front singing and dancing around with gusto. Again, as I start to lose feeling in my own fingers, I do wonder if it is a measure to keep from freezing. The snow may have left South London, but the chill in the air serves as a reminder that Spring is still a way off. Either way, the huge cheer at the end goes to show that they're having a good time.
The band begin to wrap things up with another new song which Koenig describes as "A real winter song", and gives the crowd their backing vocal instructions. 'Horchata' begins well, but as the stewards start clearing people off the ice rink, and the resurfacers shoot off the PA gives up and cuts out. The band, oblivious to the technical hitch play on, contained in their own pillared bubble. There follows some confusion as the problem is rectified and soon they're back with us. "Ah fuck" Koenig declares. "It's just like a High School Talent show, where the Principle has cut the power coz we used some foul language". Indeed, it's not the most professional move. However, the guys rally valiantly to finish off with 'Walcotton', another bouncy, sing along track from their self titled album. The crowd are left buzzing as the band wave their goodbyes and, despite the chants of "ONE MORE SONG!", the road crew start packing up.
This is my first live experience of Vampire Weekend, and it was a good one. It's clear that here are a band who are enjoying what they're doing, and clearly a lot of fun is being had - both by the band and the audience. Nothing world changing, but definitely upbeat. I can't help but feel that their particular style of music is lost in such a vast space (technical problems aside). I'd definitely recommend checking them out, but if you're going to see them, make sure it's somewhere intimate. You'll thank me in the long run.
