Some bands treat a festival slot like a sprint. Vampire Weekend turned theirs into a marathon victory lap. At Outside Lands in San Francisco, Ezra Koenig and company pulled off the rare feat of playing two full sets in one day — first with a surprise morning performance that felt like a gift to diehards, and later as the Twin Peaks stage headliners in front of a roaring, densely packed crowd that stretched as far as the eye could see.

The early set was a warm, sunlit appetizer, with the band leaning heavily on the shimmering melodies and clever turns of phrase that have made them indie rock darlings for over a decade. But it was their headlining performance that cemented the day as one for the festival history books. Coming onstage with an effortless swagger, Vampire Weekend dove into the rich, textured cuts from their latest record, Only God Was Above Us. Live, the new material felt both immediate and expansive — songs that kept the faithful singing while drawing in fresh ears with inventive arrangements and a rhythmic punch.

The showmanship was undeniable. Koenig, ever the cool and wry frontman, led the group through a career-spanning set that touched every era, from early jangly anthems to their more recent, groove-heavy compositions. Then came the curveball: a gorgeous, unexpected cover of Coldplay’s “Yellow.” Stripped of its original stadium-rock sheen, Vampire Weekend’s version was airy, intricate, and intimate — a moment where the crowd swayed in collective awe before erupting in cheers.

Visually, the set was just as engaging. Vibrant projections and tasteful lighting changes played in conversation with the music, enhancing but never overshadowing the band’s performance. The sound mix was pristine, the bass lines warm and enveloping, the guitar tones sharp but never harsh. You could feel every snare crack in your chest and every vocal harmony float above the throng.

By the time they closed with their biggest hits, the audience was a living, breathing choir, their voices carrying across the fog-kissed festival grounds. It was a masterclass in pacing — new tracks given room to breathe, fan favorites delivered with joy, and enough surprises to keep the energy electric from start to finish.

Vampire Weekend didn’t just headline Outside Lands — they owned it, twice over. For anyone lucky enough to catch both sets, it was a rare glimpse of a band at full creative power, able to make a massive field feel like the most intimate show in town.

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Vampire Weekend’s Double Dose of Brilliance at Outside Lands