Who

: Vampire Weekend at Outdoor Theatre.
In 3 Or Fewer Words: Preppy pop unleashed.
I’ll Remember This Forever Because: The last time I saw Vampire Weekend, they were playing a free show opening for rap duo the Clipse in 2007 at a freshman welcome week event at their alma mater, Columbia University. Things have certainly changed: the New York Afro-pop-influenced quartet now has a No. 1 album to their credit and, more importantly, have learned to play their instruments. Though the gaudy chandeliers that adorned the stage were an unnecessary bit of fuel for the fire of often silly critical controversy that surrounds them (Acknowledgement of class, money and entitlement! Combined with rock ‘n’ roll! Unacceptable, clearly.), the band played an otherwise frill-free, exuberant set that the adoring crowd ate up.
What I’d Tell My Friend Who Was at Imogen Heap: “You and your cousins” beats “Mmm whatcha say” in the hook department, O.C. or no O.C.
–David Greenwald (Rawkblog). Photo: Scott Dudelson.