VAMPIRE WEEKEND @ MANCHESTER APOLLO 8 February 2010

I am conflicted when it comes to Vampire Weekend. Actually I’ll take that back: I’m just downright prejudiced.

Firstly they are hugely popular which means my inner music snob instantly moves them over the divide into the mainstream camp I cannot possibly like. Secondly their much-reported privileged upbringing and education brings out the (middle) class armchair-warrior in me. Thirdly they look like a Tommy Hilfiger catalogue in search of a yacht (see previous prejudice). Fourthly lyrically they either reinforce the aforementioned prejudice (Louis Vuitton and Bennetton references in ‘Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa’) or indulge in meaningless fridge-magnet nonsense (rhyming ‘Horcharta’ with ‘balaclava’?!). And fifthly daughter 1.0 is now a huge fan - so in much the same way as I disdained (some of*) my parents’ music, I feel compelled to disdain my child’s music.

But, but, but. There are moments on both the first record and this year’s ‘Contra’ where I overcome these narrow prejudices and enjoy the music. The top three songs or so on both records have their moments: a catchiness and knack with rhythm that is infectiously and guiltily pleasing. (And hence their popularity?)

Last time I saw them live I was pretty unimpressed by their attempt to replicate the record note for note – what’s the point of being at a gig if it is a pristine reproduction of what you hear at home or in your earphones? I’ve been trying to keep an open mind on this gig but it definitely was an improvement: sticky floor, pint spilt over my arm during ‘A-Punk’, lead singer Ezra Koenig actually breaking a sweat. And musically there were moments too that broke out of the pristine jacket of the record: the drums on ‘Cousins’ were hugely chaotic and exciting.

But it came to me during tonight why on balance Vampire Weekend, live or on record, doesn’t truly work for me. They blend literate US college-rock, which I love, with African highlife guitar music which is unstoppably funky. But somehow with Vampire Weekend the combination of both just lacks spirit. It may be catchy and poppy but it has no emotion or earthiness or grit.

So sorry this was a list of prejudices rather than a review. To compensate those looking for something more the set list follows. And certainly the word-perfect singing crowd at this sold-out show adored the band.

But if you want some American music that brings African rhythms into (lofi) alt-pop with imagination, edge and and truly unhinged abandon, try Tune-Yards. The album Bird-Brains is out now on 4AD and her first UK tour starts tomorrow in Brighton. This might just be my inner music snob at work again (you know me so well) but seriously give this a listen and tell me it ain’t a damn sight more interesting and emotional than preppy and clean-cut songs about grammar.

The Set List:

White Sky
Holiday
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
I Stand Corrected
[something here]
California English
Cousins
Taxi Cab
Run
A-Punk
One (Blake’s Got A New Face)
Diplomat’s Son
Ladies of Cambridge
Giving Up The Gun
Campus
Oxford Comma
----
Horchata
Mansard Roof
Walcott

HOLIDAY
Vampire Weekend
Contra [BUY]

HATARI
Tune-Yards
Bird-brains [BUY]

* I could never disdain The Carpenters. Too much heart-break and sadness for disdain.