The indie-rocker quartet VAMPIRE WEEKEND played two secret shows this past Halloween weekend in Los Angeles. Saturday’s Halloween show was held at the former Madame Wong’s in Chinatown and Sundays was at Hollenbeck Rec Center’s band shell in Boyle Heights.

For a band that attracts hipster buzz and who can easily sell-out a 3,000 capacity venue these intimate settings were definitely a rare Halloween treat.

The crowd arrived to a band shell full of equipment, curious neighbors and vendors who sold shaved ice, pork grinds and push cart ice cream. The vendors added to the atmosphere that the band seemed to be trying to cultivate for their forthcoming album CONTRA (Jan. 12, 2010).

Coming in at a svelte 55 minutes VAMPIRE WEEKEND was able to deliver all their hits as well as a few new tunes from their forthcoming album including the first single HORCHATA (available for free on the bands website) which received the strongest response but overall the new material seemed catchy and alluring.

I have seen VAMPIRE WEEKEND a few times and this was the first show that they performed without complaining about their equipment and it was a pleasant change.

Anyone who loved the first album will most likely fall in love again with the new material. This final warm up date before the California tour was the perfect end to the festive Halloween weekend.

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For more information visit VAMPIRE WEEKEND