Pitchfork

Photos by Ahmed Klink

Two-thousand eight has in some ways been the year of the weekend-- the Vampire Weekend, that is. Last night, however, found the breakout band giving back, taking the stage at NYC's Roseland Ballroom for the "Focus for Change" benefit for human rights advocates WITNESS. And not just Vampire Weekend: WITNESS co-founder Peter Gabriel, too, who acted as host and emcee yesterday evening. Alas, VW and PG didn't team for any "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" action-- a missed opportunity if there ever was one-- but at least significant funds were raised for a very worthy cause.

Vampire Weekend have a short tour lined up for December and a speaking engagement of sorts circled on their recently-acquired 2009 "Prep School Hottiez" calendar for January 10. Speaking of prep school hottiez, don't forget: the Vamp Weekend boys play "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" tonight (November 21), and their "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance" single is due physically on December 9.

Vampire Weekend














Peter Gabriel






Vampire Weekend:

12-01 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club *
12-02 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club *
12-03 New York, NY - Terminal 5 *
12-04 New York, NY - Terminal 5 ^
12-06 New York, NY - Terminal 5 $
12-07 Boston, MA - Orpheum Theater %
12-08 Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre #
12-10 San Francisco, CA - Mezzanine
12-12 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom

* with the Teenagers
^ with Telepathe
$ with Air Bombay, Fiasco
% with Black Kids
# with Ra Ra Riot