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March 19, 2009

Vampire Weekend Take "White Sky" To Late Night, "Cousins" To Mexico

thumbnail icon: Vampire Weekend Take "White Sky" To Late Night, "Cousins" To Mexico

Vampire Weekend were minstrels of late night TV in 2008, performing for Conan, Letterman, Kimmel, SNL ... I'm surprised it took Jimmy Fallon over two whole weeks to book them. Last night the band played "White Sky," a live staple we first heard over a year ago. Here's how it sounded with a string section.

Vampire Weekend - "White Sky" (Late Night With Jimmy Fallon) (MP3)

Mixed messages on the dress code there.

VW also got to meet Bayside High principal Mr. Belding, who was invited to appear in a sketch after the monologue and was not just randomly hanging out backstage at Studio 6B. Though dude knows how to party. Pic via Beggars:

In other Vampire news, the band played an even newer song "Cousins" in Guadalajara last week.

Well, that looked like fun. (Thanks Juliana for the tip!)

Posted at 11:43 AM by Scott in ,
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41 Comments

And so it begins...

Posted by: I PEE GOLD profile link at 03/19/09 12:41 PM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

Dearest Friend,

I hope that the beginning you are mentioning is the beginning of another fantastic Vampire Weekend album. Due to my restraining order/stint in prison, I will safely assume that you ARE referring to what I just mentioned.

Posted by: mur profile link  in reply to I PEE GOLD's comment at 03/22/09 9:15 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

Here come the haterzzzz

Posted by: yomomma at 03/19/09 12:55 PM  | Reply
Score = 11 Vote up Vote down

I thought that was great. I mean, it's sort of taken the whole "Graceland" thing a little too far, but oh well. I liked that much more than I've liked past stuff of theirs.

Posted by: Alex at 03/19/09 12:55 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I LIKE IT.

Posted by: SNOW at 03/19/09 1:03 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

I hate it!

Posted by: Hater at 03/19/09 1:09 PM  | Reply
Score = -4 Vote up Vote down

The strings really saved it.

Posted by: Robot Jones profile link at 03/19/09 1:26 PM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

It was okay I suppose, but why is everyone in the orchestra wearing a baja? When was the last time anyone wore a baja?

Posted by: Deezey profile link at 03/19/09 1:28 PM  | Reply
Score = 17 Vote up Vote down

Their songs and any man in purple shoes can always cheer me up.

Posted by: aTreasuryOf.com at 03/19/09 1:43 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

I used to love "White Sky" SO much, but this version, they just sucked the life out of it! so disappointing. they better keep the original for the album.
Cousins was cool though

Posted by: Jonathan at 03/19/09 1:47 PM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

what a great song. finally a decent version of it, i was tired of the shitty youtube-live-videos.

Posted by: SpeechBubble profile link at 03/19/09 1:50 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

ezra looks too american idol nerd kid if he dosn't have a guitar.

Posted by: erik at 03/19/09 2:02 PM  | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

Srsly. Sooo uncomfortable. I would have also accepted "lounge singer".

Posted by: jessica marie.  in reply to erik's comment at 03/19/09 2:58 PM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

How can you argue with this?

Posted by: Quwitter at 03/19/09 2:08 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

i dig it.

Posted by: Kyle profile link at 03/19/09 2:16 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Did everyone like how Warren Sapp disguised himself in dreads & facial hair so that he can try and deny that he played the shekere w/ Vampire Weekend to his buddies?

I won't hate, but now I know what one of my least favorite VW songs sounds like.

Posted by: Chadams at 03/19/09 2:21 PM  | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

Only thing missing was Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Posted by: FrankieLee at 03/19/09 2:39 PM  | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down

this is probably my favorite vw song but waaaaay too slow. i suppose they had to do it that way for the strings but it is MUCH better MUCH faster.

Posted by: genevieve at 03/19/09 3:06 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

That was great but I agree that White Sky was much less energetic than usual

Posted by: Peter K profile link at 03/19/09 3:10 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

'White Sky' is a good classic pop song. But Cousins could use some work.

Posted by: I PEE GOLD profile link at 03/19/09 3:27 PM  | Reply
Score = -5 Vote up Vote down

Cousins could use a little work but White Sky more slower paced and mellow as opposed to the live versions. Both are good either way, but the string section was nice. At least Ezra said they could have a new album out by Fall 09 so I know what I'm waiting for.

Posted by: Mr_Blue_Angel_Dood profile link at 03/19/09 3:52 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

I remember hearing this song when I saw them live last year. it sounded better when I heard it the first time.

Posted by: DiamondGirl at 03/19/09 4:51 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

oh man.
that red sweater is killer!

Posted by: Public Pervert at 03/19/09 4:57 PM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

i really like cousins!

Posted by: genevieve at 03/19/09 6:08 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

yeah great, but can we get a second album finally?

Posted by: grover profile link at 03/19/09 6:28 PM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

nice. really who can honestly hate the music they make. its dumb to hate bc there from an ivy school background

Posted by: YHF1219 profile link at 03/19/09 7:59 PM  | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

Their three shows in Mexico were awesome!

Posted by: Daniel Moad at 03/19/09 10:11 PM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

That red sweater has got to be a Patagonia Marsupial.

Posted by: vrc at 03/19/09 10:57 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

wasn't guadalajara, was in toluca, i saw them

Posted by: emilio at 03/20/09 1:03 AM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

Another crappy indie band with zero originality!

Posted by: jjazznola at 03/20/09 2:08 AM  | Reply
Score = -15 Vote up Vote down

Could have done without all the hoo-ing and ha-ing

Posted by: PatrickBateman profile link at 03/20/09 4:08 AM  | Reply
Score = 8 Vote up Vote down

They're not really into variety, are they?

Posted by: Steve at 03/20/09 5:14 AM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

this is a blatant rip off of crazy love, vol. ii - now beyond "comparisons" to graceland.

Posted by: Ethan at 03/20/09 10:12 AM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

the patagonia sweater is the only good thing in this clip. what choads. really, these guys are as pleasant as a sandpaper HJ. . . .

Posted by: sage at 03/20/09 12:10 PM  | Reply
Score = -5 Vote up Vote down

one trick ponies

Posted by: sean profile link at 03/20/09 1:06 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

Saved by the Bell and Vampire Weekend...together. Two guilty pleasures merge into one.

"HEY HEY HEY WHAT IS GOING ON HERE??!!"

Posted by: zxcvb at 03/20/09 5:35 PM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

hahahaha

Posted by: j 2 tha $ profile link  in reply to zxcvb's comment at 03/21/09 4:24 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

fallon sucks at introducing people. and at life.

Posted by: la la landon profile link at 03/20/09 11:17 PM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

Who was that high school student introducing them and breathlessly asking them about their new album?

Posted by: pat3537 profile link at 03/23/09 1:31 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

I miss the ride cymbal in the chorus.

Posted by: Alex at 03/23/09 4:07 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

If you are embarrassed or guilty to like a certain band or genre of music, then you're a douche bag. Yes, Animal Collective is awesome, but yet so is kenny Loggins.

Posted by: Black Jesus at 03/24/09 7:47 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

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