Vampire Weekend Lights Up The Anthem washington dc

Oct 1

Written By Tim Kubasik

Photos & Review by Tim Kubasik

Opening for Vampire Weekend, Cults delivered an unforgettable opening set at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. showcasing their cinematic sound that feels like each song belongs in its own movie scene. Performing tracks from their newest album To the Ghosts (which I highly recommend checking out if you haven't already) they captivated the crowd with their moody instrumentals and haunting vocals. Transitioning into some of their classic hits like "Always Forever" and "Bad Things"—famously sampled in J. Cole's "She Knows"—Cults' music oozes emotion and atmosphere. Their performance perfectly set the stage for Vampire Weekend, leaving a lasting impression on the audience and hopefully some new fans.

Vampire Weekend delivered an electrifying show at The Anthem in Washington, D.C., following an impressive opening by Cults. The trio—Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio, and Chris Tomson—started with a minimalist setup, playing hits like “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa,” “Holiday,” and “I Stand Corrected” with the classic black and white Vampire Weekend backdrop. Every fan was singing along to every word, giving the venue an almost cult-like atmosphere.

The energy truly surged during “Ice Cream Piano” from their latest album Only God Was Above Us, when the backdrop fell to the floor, revealing a subway tunnel set filled with stagehands in yellow vests. The band then launched into a lively, jam-packed set that included “Classical,” with a stagehand dancing during a saxophone solo, and crowd favorites like “This Life” and “Oxford Comma.”

Highlights included extended versions of “Sunflower” and “Sympathy,” along with rarities like “Run” and “Campus,” which brought nostalgic sing-alongs. I was especially excited to hear my personal favorite, “Capricorn.” Though slower, the fans who knew it—including myself—went crazy for it. After an intense version of “Gen-X Cops” and the high-energy “Diane Young,” the crowd erupted for “A-Punk.” Koenig teased the audience, asking, “One more time for D.C.?” and the band played it again, closing the night in style.

Set List