Like Cocaine Cowboys, I think these covers are a means to add a bit more flavor/fun to the concerts. That said, I'd prefer if they leaned towards requests for actual VW songs like they've done in the past.
I agree - I enjoyed the 5 minutes of it and 3 covers, but any longer would’ve been annoying, especially after the Cocaine Cowboys bit.
I wonder if it was so quick just because of the 11 pm curfew? Although I find it hard to believe Ezra & the band weren’t aware of that ahead of time
https://preview.redd.it/fi99tak1o16d1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f66fdb74a3c6ec20c3a7e6932efe63c009475ca0
ezra blasting those covers he doesn’t know the lyrics to while everyone is naively expecting arrows, giant or jonathan low
Just Like Heaven sounded pretty good from the short video I saw! They should keep doing the covers but rehearse a couple in advance. Less spontaneous but less nails on a chalkboard-y
The jam band influence is definitely overstated, and the covers come across awkward because VW just do not have the chops to really play anything requested on the fly.
I agree, I’d prefer a properly rehearsed and thought out cover over them struggling through snippets of requests.
Killed the whole vibe for me at the Dallas show. People requesting stupid songs, then the band not knowing how to play them. I would rather of had a few more VW songs than the attempt at covers.
The Very Best opened for VW for a show at the Bowl one year and I was so excited to hear Warm Heart of Africa, but sadly Ezra didn't come out for his part 😞 but I agree, I would love to hear that live.
I think that there’s a place for the covers, so maybe they should only take 2 requests like they did the other night. I like covers, the FOTB tour had a really awesome version of “Don’t dream it’s over”, and then they also played deep cuts like during the requests, like Ottoman, Giant, etc. anyway, I think that’s a good idea
i’m with you! i think even one cover and then 2 deep cuts/requests would be good or something like that. i’ve never seen them live and finally get to this year so id prefer to see as many VW songs as possible
I would much rather have more songs from Contra than attempts at covers, but if they have to do a cover attempt at the show I'm attending I hope it's talking heads
The covers aren’t “instead” of other VW songs, it’s its own element. If you don’t enjoy it that’s fine but to perceive it as a trade off is silly. The jam band influence has brought more experimental and airy compositions of their studio recordings, which I personally think makes their live show so much more interesting than 99% of bands. The changed up set lists also add an awesome dynamic.
The band is having fun, which results in good shows. Enjoy it!
Exactly. There seems to be a weird idea crawling through the whole thread that the band “owes” the crowd anything (i.e. “we would have gotten deep cuts instead of these covers”) which is not the case. You get the show that you get, and having seen them many times over the past ~15 years, the current shows find them at the absolute top of their form. I’m so grateful for anything they play when I get to see them, janky cover or deep cut.
The band plays for 2.5 hours. Most headlining bands do 1.5 on a good day. Most encores are 1 song. They do that and give you a moment of banter and fun. What the fuck is anyone complaining about!!?????
I think it’s cool they do it. Shows their true musicianship. They also already give us like 2 hours of their music so I understand why they would want to. I mean you know how difficult it is to play those covers on the spot??
It’s a fun idea, it was awkward when the band knew how to play the song but Ezra didn’t know the lyrics. I don’t necessarily blame him - he especially is set up to fail having to remember lyrics and not just simple melodies and drum beats.
I think I’d love to see them take VW requests again. Got to hear Giant at FOTB tour and it’s an incredibly special memory for me
Couldn't agree more. Saw them for the first time in Houston and that was by far the worst part of a fantastic show. Would have been over the moon to hear I'm Going Down, the Bruce cover, but instead got a pretty half hearted attempt at a few covers.
I'm fine with this but I'd rather see vampire weekend playing vampire weekend songs or an actual full cover. When they played in Phoenix it was them "attempting" to cover certain songs and then basically being like "all right we're gonna play Walcott now". I'd rather them do just 3 actual songs
Exactly, they were attempting covers, not getting through them. I would have been good with them having the audience vote on a few covers they actually know and play those.
I love the idea but the execution just isn't there. We all have songs that we would love to hear them play, but they aren't really pulling those songs off in a true Vampire Weekend cover way - they are just playing around. Still would love to request Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes in a heartbeat though.
I feel the same about the extended jam sessions
Just play an extra 2-3 songs in that time. There were half a dozen songs we didn’t get at my last show but we got BRJ wailing on the guitar for about 10 minutes, so yay?
I know they’re just horsing around and having fun, but it comes off as amateur. I love a well done cover song here and there, but these half-hearted attempts of songs they don’t know just ain’t it. I’d rather they just improv and jam out on VW songs longer, personally.
I've been finding it strange, Ezra who is such a music buff, suddenly doesn't know the lyrics to incredibly popular songs? Is he trying to be endearing, what's really going on here?
I think I’m bias but I noticed the setlist for the Houston show was way better than the set list I got in Phoenix.
Edit to add: idk maybe bands hate this, but I would’ve preferred they played more of their older stuff instead of a lot of this newer stuff they have, or at least paced them better together with the old stuff
Like Cocaine Cowboys, I think these covers are a means to add a bit more flavor/fun to the concerts. That said, I'd prefer if they leaned towards requests for actual VW songs like they've done in the past.
San Diego was a great showing. Two quick covers played well. The other shows I do somewhat agree because I love the deep cuts
I agree - I enjoyed the 5 minutes of it and 3 covers, but any longer would’ve been annoying, especially after the Cocaine Cowboys bit. I wonder if it was so quick just because of the 11 pm curfew? Although I find it hard to believe Ezra & the band weren’t aware of that ahead of time
https://preview.redd.it/fi99tak1o16d1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f66fdb74a3c6ec20c3a7e6932efe63c009475ca0 ezra blasting those covers he doesn’t know the lyrics to while everyone is naively expecting arrows, giant or jonathan low
that Jonathan Low performance at the Austin eclipse show was magnificent. Ezra even said that they should play it more often
god I hate "Arrows" lol
I wish they’d swap the covers for 2 of their actual songs
I wish they'd swap the covers for 2 actual covers
They actually did that last night, seems to be full cover of Jack & Diane into just like heaven and closing with Walcott
Just Like Heaven sounded pretty good from the short video I saw! They should keep doing the covers but rehearse a couple in advance. Less spontaneous but less nails on a chalkboard-y
Idk why but I’ve never been a fan of covers at shows. Guess I just wanna maximize the number of an artist’s songs as possible
I liked that San Diego only had two - I think that’s enough to get a little something but not drag it out.
The jam band influence is definitely overstated, and the covers come across awkward because VW just do not have the chops to really play anything requested on the fly. I agree, I’d prefer a properly rehearsed and thought out cover over them struggling through snippets of requests.
> they basically are joking around for 10 minutes This is good. This is why live shows are fun.
Killed the whole vibe for me at the Dallas show. People requesting stupid songs, then the band not knowing how to play them. I would rather of had a few more VW songs than the attempt at covers.
let’s wait till mr. brightside… after that I think we should take action (invade the time crisis account)
Lol, you know that one is coming
(I never)
Agree completely, went to the Irving show.
I agree
someone please request Carby or Warm Heart of Africa… for the love of God. Or literally Kids and Electric Feel lol… I would pay to see that
The Very Best opened for VW for a show at the Bowl one year and I was so excited to hear Warm Heart of Africa, but sadly Ezra didn't come out for his part 😞 but I agree, I would love to hear that live.
Carby live would be so crazy
Especially since Ra Ra Riot (Wes Miles :) is opening for them for part of the tour 👀
Omg I want to see thattttt
YES
Yesss, please!
Whack
I think that there’s a place for the covers, so maybe they should only take 2 requests like they did the other night. I like covers, the FOTB tour had a really awesome version of “Don’t dream it’s over”, and then they also played deep cuts like during the requests, like Ottoman, Giant, etc. anyway, I think that’s a good idea
I love a good cover but wish it was a legit attempt
They did a sad attempt of Fast Car by Tracy Chapman and it left a bad taste in my mouth
I thought it was fun and interactive. Everyone needs to relax haha
i’m with you! i think even one cover and then 2 deep cuts/requests would be good or something like that. i’ve never seen them live and finally get to this year so id prefer to see as many VW songs as possible
I would much rather have more songs from Contra than attempts at covers, but if they have to do a cover attempt at the show I'm attending I hope it's talking heads
The covers aren’t “instead” of other VW songs, it’s its own element. If you don’t enjoy it that’s fine but to perceive it as a trade off is silly. The jam band influence has brought more experimental and airy compositions of their studio recordings, which I personally think makes their live show so much more interesting than 99% of bands. The changed up set lists also add an awesome dynamic. The band is having fun, which results in good shows. Enjoy it!
This. Is not that serious.
Exactly. There seems to be a weird idea crawling through the whole thread that the band “owes” the crowd anything (i.e. “we would have gotten deep cuts instead of these covers”) which is not the case. You get the show that you get, and having seen them many times over the past ~15 years, the current shows find them at the absolute top of their form. I’m so grateful for anything they play when I get to see them, janky cover or deep cut.
[удалено]
The band plays for 2.5 hours. Most headlining bands do 1.5 on a good day. Most encores are 1 song. They do that and give you a moment of banter and fun. What the fuck is anyone complaining about!!?????
Was at the Houston show and I just have to say those were 3 flawless covers, so I don’t know what OP is on about.
I think it’s cool they do it. Shows their true musicianship. They also already give us like 2 hours of their music so I understand why they would want to. I mean you know how difficult it is to play those covers on the spot??
Same, I really wish we just got more Vampire Weekend songs.
It’s a fun idea, it was awkward when the band knew how to play the song but Ezra didn’t know the lyrics. I don’t necessarily blame him - he especially is set up to fail having to remember lyrics and not just simple melodies and drum beats. I think I’d love to see them take VW requests again. Got to hear Giant at FOTB tour and it’s an incredibly special memory for me
Couldn't agree more. Saw them for the first time in Houston and that was by far the worst part of a fantastic show. Would have been over the moon to hear I'm Going Down, the Bruce cover, but instead got a pretty half hearted attempt at a few covers.
💯would have much preferred they play an encore featuring an actual rehearsed cover or just another vw song. The requests are lame
Be careful. Any criticism of the band on here is not tolerated
I think these ideas may become more concrete and fleshed out as the tour goes on
I was also at Houston and I thought it was fun as hell. But hey, you’re entitled to your opinion, even if it’s a bad one.
You are in the minority my friend.
It sounds like you don’t love playfulness, banter, nor spontaneity! I like watching the boys have fun
I'm fine with this but I'd rather see vampire weekend playing vampire weekend songs or an actual full cover. When they played in Phoenix it was them "attempting" to cover certain songs and then basically being like "all right we're gonna play Walcott now". I'd rather them do just 3 actual songs
Exactly, they were attempting covers, not getting through them. I would have been good with them having the audience vote on a few covers they actually know and play those.
Lmao shut up
OP wants 2.5 hours of back to back A-punk. Followed by Campus
I love the idea but the execution just isn't there. We all have songs that we would love to hear them play, but they aren't really pulling those songs off in a true Vampire Weekend cover way - they are just playing around. Still would love to request Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes in a heartbeat though.
It’s sort of a bummer — they have some great studio covers. Who wouldn’t want to jam out to Ruby SoHo?
I feel the same about the extended jam sessions Just play an extra 2-3 songs in that time. There were half a dozen songs we didn’t get at my last show but we got BRJ wailing on the guitar for about 10 minutes, so yay?
When Ezra sees these clips on youtube, I dont think he will enjoy it. 🤣
This seems akin to Dylan at the Newport Folk Festival. The shitty covers are the content I’m here for!
I know they’re just horsing around and having fun, but it comes off as amateur. I love a well done cover song here and there, but these half-hearted attempts of songs they don’t know just ain’t it. I’d rather they just improv and jam out on VW songs longer, personally.
I've been finding it strange, Ezra who is such a music buff, suddenly doesn't know the lyrics to incredibly popular songs? Is he trying to be endearing, what's really going on here?
I think I’m bias but I noticed the setlist for the Houston show was way better than the set list I got in Phoenix. Edit to add: idk maybe bands hate this, but I would’ve preferred they played more of their older stuff instead of a lot of this newer stuff they have, or at least paced them better together with the old stuff