Chvrches have performed live once again for the first occasion in nearly three years, marking a significant moment for the Scottish synth-pop trio. The band performed on Friday night at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of Robert Smith’s Teenage Cancer Trust concert series, which also included Garbage, My Bloody Valentine, and Elbow. During their set, the group introduced a new song titled “Conman,” giving the audience an exclusive first listen to material from their next release. Singer Lauren Mayberry introduced the song to the crowd, acknowledging the milestone with wit and honesty, saying: “I promise I’m not just inside watching telly all the time, we have been making a record.”
A Triumphant Gathering After Decades Apart
The Royal Albert Hall concert marked a successful comeback for Chvrches, whose last album, Screen Violence, was released in 2021. The intervening years saw significant changes within the band, particularly 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 artistic collaboration remains strong and appreciated. The intimate nature of the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert offered an ideal setting for such a significant return, allowing the band to engage with their audience in a renowned London location.
Mayberry’s solo work have clearly enriched her artistic perspective and contributed to the band’s new direction. She unveiled her first solo record, Vicious Creature, in December 2024, followed by a full touring schedule throughout 2025. Speaking to NME about her choice to pursue solo work, she noted that certain lyrical concepts and themes required a individual perspective rather than the collective narrative of Chvrches. This separation has evidently allowed her to explore creative territory that might not fit inside the band’s established sound, ultimately strengthening the material she contributes to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence came out in 2021
- Mayberry launched solo project starting in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature dropped December 2024
- Band confirmed new music being worked on during summer
Exposing ‘Conman’ to a Held Audience
The Moment of Revelation
The release of “Conman” represented a significant turning point for Chvrches, providing loyal supporters their initial look of the ensemble’s creative progression after their lengthy absence. Mayberry’s honest words to the Royal Albert Hall crowd maintained an excellent balance between self-deprecating humour and authentic enthusiasm, recognising the prolonged interval between studio albums whilst generating excitement for what was to come. Her confirmation that the band had actually continued working during their break from the spotlight—rather than simply retreating from the public eye—gave confidence to supporters who had been uncertain about the band’s direction ahead and focus on upcoming work.
The choice to premiere “Conman” at such a prominent philanthropic event added significant weight to the moment. By selecting the Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert as the platform for introducing fresh material, Chvrches demonstrated their commitment to use their platform for meaningful causes whilst simultaneously honouring the dedicated fanbase who had stayed committed through years of uncertainty. Mayberry’s humble request for the audience’s patience and kindness, given that the band had never performed the track before a paying crowd, fostered an intimate atmosphere that went beyond the grandeur of the historic venue and cultivated genuine connection between performers and spectators.
The release of “Conman” signals that Chvrches’ upcoming album will probably reflect the creative development and experimentation that Mayberry explored during her independent work. Though the band has remained characteristically reserved about launch schedules and other specifics concerning the latest project, the existence of finished material implies that fans won’t encounter an lengthy delay for a full project. The single’s launch at such a high-profile event reflects the band’s faith in their new direction and their desire to progress with this new phase, merging the shared sound Chvrches have cultivated with the new viewpoints their individual artists have gained during their time apart.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo career and return
Lauren Mayberry’s choice to leave Chvrches in 2023 represented a pivotal moment in her creative trajectory, one that eventually resulted in a deeper understanding of her own creative expression. The singer from Scotland’s solo album, Vicious Creature, came out in December 2024, offered a honest glimpse into her artistic output separate from the collective framework of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she travelled extensively in support of the solo project, rebuilding relationships with audiences on a more intimate, personal level and establishing herself as a formidable solo artist in her own right. This time of self-direction became artistically vital, enabling her to investigate themes and lyrical territories that could not have achieved natural expression within Chvrches’ established aesthetic.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall represented far more than a simple comeback with the band; it embodied a resolution of tensions between Mayberry’s personal creative aspirations and her lasting bond to Chvrches’ unified creative purpose. Rather than viewing her solo venture as a departure or rejection of the group, Mayberry has described it as a essential development that has enhanced her awareness of herself as an artist. The experience of crafting and performing Vicious Creature solo seems to have reinvigorated her approach to musical creation and stage work, delivering fresh vitality and insight to the band’s shared projects. Her openness to coming back to Chvrches with this newfound confidence indicates a more balanced, fulfilled creative partnership moving forward.
Finding Her Unique Voice
When discussing her solo work with NME, Mayberry revealed that certain lyrical concepts and creative approaches simply could not be accommodated within Chvrches’ existing structure. She noted that some material demanded a single storytelling perspective rather than the collective perspective that defines the band’s output. This distinction proved crucial to her artistic development, as it enabled her to examine vulnerability, personal experiences, and thematic territory that might have felt incongruous with Chvrches’ musical character. The solo album served as a vital channel for self-expression that went beyond the band’s collaborative boundaries.
Mayberry’s explanation of this creative distinction illustrates a common challenge faced by members of thriving collectives: the conflict between individual artistic vision and collective identity. By recognising that she remains the voice within Chvrches whilst concurrently requiring room to speak from a purely personal standpoint, Mayberry demonstrated nuanced understanding about her position within the band. Her solo project was not an rebellious gesture but rather a complementary exploration that in the end strengthens her work with Chvrches. This growth in her artistic thinking suggests that the new album will benefit from the certainty and self-belief she has acquired from her period apart.
What Lies Ahead for the Scottish Synth-Pop Icons
Whilst Chvrches have provided tantalising insights of their upcoming album, the band remains notably tight-lipped about launch schedules and supplementary content. The Royal Albert Hall performance served as a meticulously planned reintroduction, signalling to fans and sector commentators alike that the group’s creative engine remains very much operational. Lauren Mayberry’s candid remarks to the audience—acknowledging both the nerves surrounding their fresh approach and the genuine excitement of sharing unfinished tracks—struck a genuinely relatable quality that struck a chord with attendees. The deliberate choice to debut “Conman” at such a prestigious, charity-focused venue underscored the importance of this moment for the band’s trajectory.
The reunion also reflects a broader change in the way Chvrches intends to operate moving forward, potentially establishing a more enduring approach that accommodates individual creative endeavours alongside collective work. Rather than demanding total commitment from all members, this refined method acknowledges the creative benefits of enabling musicians to pursue solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her involvement with Vicious Creature appears to have offered essential understanding and fresh energy for Chvrches’ signature style. As the group keeps working on their new album, fans can look forward to a project shaped by both the band’s distinctive sonic approach and the enhanced self-awareness each member has cultivated during their spell away.
- The new album represents Chvrches’ debut full-length offering since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo endeavours informed her creative perspective for the band’s upcoming record
- The group has yet to reveal an confirmed launch date for their next album