Indie rockers Vampire Weekend will be performing a series of headline shows across Australia and New Zealand in April/May in addition to their Groovin’ The Moo performances.
The band initially made their mark on the music scene through their immense online success at a time when the term ‘internet sensation’ was relatively unheard of. After dominating online audiences, they released their hotly anticipated self-titled debut in 2008, cementing their arrival to indie rock. Their sharp, witty lyrics intermingled with African inspired beats guided them toward the forefront of the genre and the band quickly escalated to global fame.
After a top-secret fan club show in Sydney last year and a special Triple J performance, 2010 sees Vampire Weekend touring more extensively in support of their latest album Contra released just last month. The album has thus far been received positively by music lovers and critics alike. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and has been in the ARIA Top Ten Albums for the past three weeks.
“Where much of the first album's charm was conceptual…here the band has put on some muscle. The drums are bigger, the guitars are faster, and the songs are outfitted with synth beats and hip-hop, reggae and electro accents.” – Rolling Stone
“It's an exciting record Contra…it expands on the Vampire Weekend universe by introducing a heightened production noise, a wider palette of sounds and some almost crazy deviations into house, '80s arena dance and new shades of melancholia…While still retaining everything that made them so attractive in the first place.” – The Vine
Tickets will no doubt be in high demand so get yours quick to avoid disappointment.
General on-sale tickets available from Monday 22 February, 9am local time from Ticketek.
Tour dates are:
Tuesday 4 May: Palace Theatre – Melbourne (18+) Thuesday 6 May: Entertainment Centre – Adelaide (ALL AGES) Tuesday 11 May: The Tivoli – Brisbane (ALL AGES) Wednesday 12 May: Enmore Theatre – Sydney (ALL AGES) Sunday 16 May: Metro City – Perth (18+)
Womadelaide 2010 The Armada, Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, Ethiopiques, Babylon Circus and Ojos de Brujo live @ Botanic Park, Adelaide, SA (5-8 March 2010)
Future Music Festival 2010 Empire of the Sun, Franz Ferdinard, Prodigy, Way Out West and more live @ Sydney, NSW (March 2010)
Adelaide Big Day Out. We were staying in the same hotel as other artists and I came downstaris to go to the after party and a big crowd was surrounding Aracde Fire and Bjork at the grand piano in the restaurant of the hotel. They were doing old show tunes and everyone was singing along. The lead singer of Arcade Fire was playing piano and everyone was singing along. I recall Buddy Holly's 'Everyday It's Getting Closer', a couple of ABBA songs and some John Lennon, it was very cool. Favourite festivals moments though are just when it's a good show with good reactions, where you don't have to think too much on stage and lose yourself.
Ideal Lineup? I'd have bands that would never be seen on the same stage because they've long since broken up or died, I'd have Blur opening the festival followed by the Smiths who would reform for my music festival, and At The Drive In would finish the day just when I was drunk enough to dance like they can.
Fave artist you've seen at a Music Festival? Rage Against The Machine. Also, Brand New who are a vastly under rated band from New York that played at Big Day Out. I saw them pretty much without fail at every Big Day Out and they were astounding, and to use the the cliche, quite inspiring. I've ripped off many of their moves since then!
Tips for attending Music Festivals Don't break your neck. Don't worry too much about getting to the front for every band you want to see. It's probably better to pick 4 or so that you can really absorb as opposed to having cursory glances at every one. It's like any 'day out' it's best to pace yourself, don't go mental and try to see everything, relax and take it all in.
My Festival Experience
