SLCene Suggests: Vampire Weekend at Red Butte Garden

VAMPIRE WEEKEND, RED BUTTE GARDEN, Tuesday, May 21, 7 p.m., Sold Out

Despite the fact that Vampire Weekend’s 2010 sophomore album Contra debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s album-sales charts, it still seemed like the band was perhaps a one-tricky pony, even though that trick was a good one–creating catchy, world beat-influenced pop-rock in excellent three-minute nuggets. On the band’s new release, Modern Vampires of the City, the quartet has taken a significant leap forward, lyrically and musically. While there is still the joyful, jagged edge that is familiar from the band’s first two albums, there’s something darker at work now, and it comes through in some foreboding new songs. It should be a real treat to hear the band explore their new-found diversity at the season opener of Red Butte Garden’s summer concert series. The High Highs open the show.