Vampire Weekend is an American indie rock band hailing from New York City, formed in 2006. The band's core members include Ezra Koenig (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Baio (bass), and former members Rostam Batmanglij (keyboards, production, backing vocals) who departed in 2016, and Chris Tomson (drums). Initially bonding over a shared love of punk and African music, the quartet met while attending Columbia University. They quickly gained attention with their unique blend of indie pop imbued with baroque and world-beat flourishes. Vampire Weekend's eponymous debut album was released in 2008 to critical acclaim and was followed by their equally successful sophomore record, "Contra," in 2010.

Over the years, Vampire Weekend has established their reputation with a distinct sound characterized by sophisticated and whimsical lyricism, complemented by an eclectic mix of musical influences ranging from Western classical music to African rhythms. This artful weaving of styles was displayed masterfully on their 2013 album, "Modern Vampires of the City," which earned them a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album. Following a lengthy hiatus, the band returned in 2019 with their fourth album, "Father of the Bride," which expanded on their sonic palette and featured contributions from artists like Steve Lacy and Danielle Haim. "Father of the Bride" received widespread acclaim and secured the band another Grammy for the same category, reinforcing Vampire Weekend's status as a leading force in the indie rock scene.

Genres

Baroque Pop

Chamber Pop

Garage Rock

Indie Rock

Indietronica

Modern Rock

Related Artists

Foals

Phoenix

The Strokes

MGMT

alt-J

The Shins

Fleet Foxes

Grizzly Bear

Tame Impala

Foster The People

The National

Arcade Fire

Latest Release

Prep-School Gangsters (Spotify OUTSIDE Version) - Live from Queens, NY

Vampire Weekend

Single - Released May 31, 2024