Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend was formed by singer/guitarist Ezra Koenig, keyboardist/guitarist Rostam Batmanglij, bassist Chris Baio, and drummer Christopher Tomson in 2006, while all four were attending Columbia University. In fact, the first time the quartet ever performed live was in a battle of the bands event at their school. Vampire Weekend released their first single, the infectious, polyrhythmic "Mansard Roof," the following year, and their blend of modern indie rock with African grooves and '80s influences caught on quickly. By the time they released their self-titled debut album in 2008, they were the toast of the indie scene. It was a time when alternative bands like Dirty Projectors and Animal Collective were gaining more attention than ever for opening themselves up to a broad array of influences, and Vampire Weekend's sound fit right into that musical landscape. The group's follow-up album, 2011's Contra, became an even bigger success than its predecessor, making it all the way to No. 1 on the U.S. album charts. Every critical darling experiences the inevitable backlash, and around this time, complaints surfaced about Vampire Weekend being a too-clever, dilettantish band of Ivy Leaguers appropriating influences from other cultures, but this wave of ill will didn't have much staying power. By the time the band released its third album, Modern Vampires of the City, having made the rounds of festivals all over the world in support of Contra, the naysayers were drowned out, as the record found Vampire Weekend rising to the top spot on the album charts once again. In 2016, Batmanglij, whose playing had always been a key element of the band's sound, announced that he was leaving Vampire Weekend. But fans' concerns were alleviated somewhat when word came that the new album the band was working on would still include input from Batmanglij.