Chvrches have performed live once again for the first time in nearly three years, marking a notable milestone for the Scottish synth-pop trio. The band took to the stage Friday night at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of Robert Smith’s Teenage Cancer Trust concert series, which also featured Garbage, My Bloody Valentine, and Elbow. During their set, the group unveiled a brand new track titled “Conman,” giving the audience an exclusive first hearing to material from their upcoming album. Singer Lauren Mayberry spoke about the song to the crowd, acknowledging the milestone with humour and candour, saying: “I promise I’m not just inside watching telly all the time, we have been making a record.”
A Joyful Gathering After Years Apart
The Royal Albert Hall concert marked a successful comeback for Chvrches, whose last album, Screen Violence, was came out in 2021. The intervening years saw major shifts within the band, especially for frontwoman Lauren Mayberry, who revealed she was leaving in 2023 to focus on solo work. Despite this development, the reunion demonstrates that the group’s creative partnership remains intact and valued. The intimate nature of the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert offered an perfect venue for such a meaningful comeback, allowing the band to engage with their audience in a prestigious London venue.
Mayberry’s individual projects have clearly enhanced her artistic perspective and contributed to the band’s evolving sound. She released her first solo record, Vicious Creature, in December 2024, with a full touring schedule throughout 2025. Speaking to NME about her choice to pursue solo work, she explained that certain lyrical concepts and themes required a individual perspective rather than the collective narrative of Chvrches. This separation has evidently enabled her to venture into artistic ground that might not fit inside the band’s established sound, ultimately strengthening the material she contributes to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence released in 2021
- Mayberry launched solo project beginning in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature dropped December 2024
- Band confirmed new music being worked on last summer
Uncovering ‘Conman’ to a Captive Audience
The Moment of Revelation
The unveiling of “Conman” represented a significant turning point for Chvrches, giving devoted fans their opening view of the ensemble’s creative progression since their extended hiatus. Mayberry’s honest words to the Royal Albert Hall gathering maintained an excellent balance between self-deprecation and real anticipation, addressing the extended period between studio albums whilst building anticipation for what was to come. Her confirmation that the band had actually continued working during their time away—rather than merely withdrawing from public life—offered comfort to supporters who had been uncertain about the group’s future trajectory and dedication to fresh releases.
The choice to premiere “Conman” at such a prominent philanthropic event lent considerable gravitas to the moment. By selecting the Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert as the platform for unveiling new songs, Chvrches showed their willingness to use their platform for important charitable work whilst simultaneously rewarding the loyal fan community who had stayed committed through prolonged periods of doubt. Mayberry’s humble request for the crowd’s understanding and compassion, given that the band had not previously played the track before a live audience, created an personal ambiance that transcended the grandeur of the historic venue and fostered genuine connection between performers and spectators.
The introduction of “Conman” signals that Chvrches’ new release will likely demonstrate the musical evolution and creative exploration that Mayberry pursued during her solo venture. Though the band has remained characteristically secretive about release timelines and additional details regarding the latest project, the existence of finished material suggests that fans won’t encounter an extended wait for a complete album. The song’s debut at an event of this calibre reflects the band’s confidence in their fresh approach and their eagerness to move forward with this new phase, blending the unified aesthetic Chvrches have developed with the innovative ideas their individual artists have gained during their period of separation.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo journey and comeback
Lauren Mayberry’s choice to leave Chvrches in 2023 marked a turning point in her artistic career, one that eventually resulted in a greater insight of her own creative voice. The singer from Scotland’s solo album, Vicious Creature, launched in December 2024, delivered a transparent view into her artistry outside of the collective framework of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she performed widely in promotion of the solo project, engaging with audiences on a closer, more individual footing and cementing her status as a formidable solo artist in her own right. This time of self-direction proved creatively essential, enabling her to investigate subject matter and lyrical ground that might not have found organic articulation within Chvrches’ recognised style.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall signified considerably more than a simple comeback with the band; it reflected a reconciliation between Mayberry’s individual artistic ambitions and her enduring connection to Chvrches’ shared artistic direction. Rather than viewing her solo venture as a departure or rejection of the group, Mayberry has described it as a essential development that has enriched her understanding of herself as an artist. The experience of crafting and performing Vicious Creature solo seems to have reinvigorated her approach to composition and live delivery, introducing revitalised momentum and insight to the band’s joint creative work. Her openness to coming back to Chvrches with this recently developed certainty suggests a improved harmony and contentment in their creative relationship going ahead.
Uncovering Her Own Voice
When discussing her solo work with NME, Mayberry disclosed that specific lyrical ideas and artistic directions simply could not be accommodated within Chvrches’ existing structure. She noted that some material demanded a single storytelling perspective rather than the shared viewpoint that characterises the band’s output. This difference proved crucial to her creative growth, as it enabled her to examine emotional depth, lived experiences, and subject matter that might have felt at odds with Chvrches’ sonic identity. The solo album became a necessary outlet for self-expression that went beyond the band’s collaborative boundaries.
Mayberry’s explanation of this creative distinction highlights a common challenge experienced by members of successful groups: the conflict between personal creative expression and shared identity. By accepting that she remains the storyteller within Chvrches whilst concurrently needing room to speak from a wholly personal standpoint, Mayberry demonstrated sophisticated self-awareness about her position within the band. Her individual endeavour wasn’t an act of rebellion but rather a supplementary investigation that in the end improves her contributions to Chvrches. This growth in her musical perspective implies that the forthcoming release will profit from the certainty and self-belief she has developed through her spell away.
What The Future Holds for the Scottish Synth-Pop Legends
Whilst Chvrches have offered tantalising previews of their new material, the band remains typically tight-lipped about release timelines and supplementary content. The Royal Albert Hall show served as a carefully orchestrated reintroduction, indicating to fans and industry observers alike that the group’s creative momentum remains very much operational. Lauren Mayberry’s honest comments to the audience—acknowledging both the nerves surrounding their new direction and the authentic enthusiasm of sharing unreleased work—struck a distinctly personal note that struck a chord with attendees. The intentional decision to debut “Conman” at such a high-profile, philanthropic venue underscored the significance of this moment for the band’s direction.
The reunion also reflects a broader shift in how Chvrches intends to operate moving forward, potentially establishing a more enduring approach that supports individual creative endeavours alongside joint ventures. Rather than requiring complete dedication from all members, this developed strategy recognizes the productive value of letting members develop solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her experience with Vicious Creature appears to have provided essential perspective and renewed enthusiasm for Chvrches’ signature style. As the group remains focused on their new album, fans can anticipate a project shaped by both the band’s distinctive sonic approach and the greater personal understanding each member has gained during their spell away.
- The new album represents Chvrches’ first full-length project since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo endeavours informed her artistic vision for the band’s forthcoming album
- The group has yet to reveal an confirmed launch date for their next album
