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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News
New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Vampire Weekend Plays Surprise WSP Set

The Grammy-winning indie rock group played an acoustic set in Washington Square Park earlier today, the same day they released their first album in six years.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor
May 3, 2019
Katie Peurrung
Left to right: guitarist Brian Robert Jones, Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio and touring guitarist Greta Morgan, of Vampire Weekend. The band played an impromptu acoustic show in Washington Square Park on the release day of their new album “Father of the Bride.” (Staff photo by Katie Peurrung)

Indie rock royalty Vampire Weekend played an impromptu acoustic set this afternoon in Washington Square Park to a small, hushed crowd.

The band played a mix of classics and material from their new album, “Father of the Bride,” which was released today. Lead singer Ezra Koenig and bassist Chris Baio were joined by touring guitarists Greta Morgan and Brian Robert Jones on the stage on the east side of the park, with Bobst Library rising in the background.

Taking requests from the audience, the band played songs including “White Sky” and “Diplomat’s Son” off of their 2010 album “Contra,” as well as a handful of singles from the new album, including “Hold You Now” and “Sunflower.”

“I literally dropped everything and ran down the stairs to where they were playing,” GLS first-year Ann Fulton said in a text. “It was super good. They sound awesome live, and even songs that are hard to play acoustic, they still killed it.”

It was difficult for much of the crowd to hear the music or vocals, but the audience stood at quiet, rapt attention, humming along to “Sunflower’s” intricate guitar licks and the lyrics of old standbys like “Step,” off of 2013’s “Modern Vampires of the City.”

“Unamplified ballad!” Koenig joked before the band kicked off “Hannah Hunt,” also from “Modern Vampires.”

Koenig and company closed out the show with “A-Punk,” the breakout song from the band’s 2008 eponymous debut, as the crowd shouted along to the repeated “Hey, hey hey!”

“Father of the Bride” is the band’s first album since “Modern Vampires,” which won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album. The new release, representing a major evolution in the band’s sound, has already generated a frenzy of acclaim, with Vulture’s Craig Jenkins calling it the “frontrunner for best album of 2019.”

The band is playing a sold-out show Sunday at the newly reopened Webster Hall, and is touring around the world through the summer and fall (including a return to New York City on Sept. 6).

Email Alex Cullina at [email protected]. Mansee Khurana contributed reporting.

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About the Contributors
Alex Cullina
Alex Cullina, Theatre & Books Editor
Alex Cullina is the Theatre & Books Editor for WSN. A native Clevelander, he is a junior studying English and History in CAS. Growing up in Ohio before coming to New York, he's very defensive of the Midwest, despite its many (many) flaws. Beside keeping up with the best in new film and TV, you can often find him curled up with a good book or the latest issue of The New Yorker.
Katie Peurrung
Katie Peurrung, Under the Arch Multimedia Editor
Katie Peurrung is a Gallatin sophomore concentrating in Photo Politics. In addition to working at WSN, she photographs for various roasters in the New York coffee scene and also interns for a sustainability start-up called Seastraws. She is originally from Washington state, but has been enjoying living the East Coast life for the last two years. Beyond photography, her interests include zero-waste living, gardening and her dog, Deena. You can find her on Instagram @katie.rose.peurrung, and on Twitter @photosalad.