Chvrches have performed live once again for the first instance after nearly three years, marking a significant moment 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 listen to material from their upcoming album. Singer Lauren Mayberry spoke about 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 Joyful Reunion After Decades Apart
The Royal Albert Hall concert marked a triumphant return for Chvrches, whose last album, Screen Violence, was released in 2021. The intervening years saw major shifts within the band, particularly for frontwoman Lauren Mayberry, who announced her departure 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 meaningful comeback, allowing the band to engage with their audience in a renowned London location.
Mayberry’s solo work have clearly enhanced her artistic vision and shaped the band’s new direction. She released her debut solo album, Vicious Creature, in December 2024, followed by a comprehensive tour throughout 2025. Speaking to NME about her decision to branch out, she explained that certain lyrical concepts and themes demanded a individual perspective rather than the collective narrative of Chvrches. This separation has clearly allowed her to venture into creative territory that wouldn’t suit inside the band’s signature style, ultimately strengthening the material she brings back to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence came out in 2021
- Mayberry pursued solo project starting in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature dropped December 2024
- Band confirmed fresh material in development during summer
Exposing ‘Conman’ to a Captive Audience
The Point of Discovery
The introduction of “Conman” represented a pivotal point for Chvrches, giving loyal supporters their first glimpse of the band’s creative evolution after their lengthy absence. Mayberry’s frank remarks to the Royal Albert Hall gathering maintained an excellent balance between self-deprecation and genuine excitement, acknowledging the extended period between recorded releases whilst heightening expectation for what was to come. Her assurance that the band had actually continued working during their period of absence—rather than just stepping back from public life—offered comfort to fans who had wondered about the band’s direction ahead and focus on upcoming work.
The decision 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 venue for unveiling new songs, Chvrches demonstrated their commitment to use their platform for meaningful causes whilst simultaneously honouring the dedicated fanbase 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 never performed the track before a live audience, fostered an personal ambiance that transcended the grandeur of the historic venue and fostered genuine rapport between performers and spectators.
The introduction of “Conman” signals that Chvrches’ forthcoming record will likely demonstrate the musical evolution and creative exploration that Mayberry explored during her solo venture. Though the band has stayed notably reserved about timeline details and further information about the upcoming record, the existence of finished material suggests that fans are unlikely to experience an lengthy delay for a finished work. The song’s debut at an event of this calibre reflects the band’s faith in their evolving sound and their eagerness to move forward with this new phase, merging the collective identity Chvrches have cultivated with the innovative ideas their band members have explored during their break from the band.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo journey and return
Lauren Mayberry’s choice to leave Chvrches in 2023 constituted a turning point in her artistic career, one that eventually resulted in a more profound comprehension of her own artistic identity. The singer from Scotland’s solo album, Vicious Creature, released in December 2024, provided a transparent view into her artistry beyond the collective framework of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she travelled extensively in promotion of the solo project, engaging with audiences on a closer, more individual footing and positioning herself as a accomplished solo musician in her own right. This period of independence was creatively crucial, allowing her to explore subject matter and lyrical ground that might not have found organic articulation within Chvrches’ established aesthetic.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall signified considerably more than a simple comeback with the band; it reflected a harmonisation of Mayberry’s solo artistic goals and her lasting bond to Chvrches’ shared artistic direction. Rather than viewing her solo venture as a abandonment or dismissal of the group, Mayberry has described it as a vital progression that has enhanced her awareness of herself as an artist. The experience of writing and presenting Vicious Creature on her own appears to have revitalised her methodology to musical creation and stage work, bringing renewed energy and insight to the band’s shared projects. Her willingness to return to Chvrches with this newfound confidence points to a greater equilibrium and satisfaction in their artistic collaboration going ahead.
Finding Her Unique Voice
When talking about her solo work with NME, Mayberry revealed that specific lyrical ideas and creative approaches could not easily fit within Chvrches’ established framework. She explained that some material demanded a single storytelling perspective rather than the collective perspective that characterises the band’s output. This distinction proved crucial to her creative growth, as it enabled her to examine vulnerability, personal experiences, and thematic territory that might have felt at odds with Chvrches’ musical character. The solo album became a vital channel for personal creativity that transcended the band’s collective framework.
Mayberry’s expression of this creative distinction illustrates a common challenge experienced by members of successful groups: the balance between personal creative expression and group cohesion. By accepting that she stays the storyteller within Chvrches whilst at the same time requiring the opportunity to speak from a wholly personal viewpoint, Mayberry revealed sophisticated self-awareness about her role within the band. Her individual endeavour was not an rebellious gesture but rather a supplementary investigation that ultimately enhances her contributions to Chvrches. This growth in her musical perspective implies that the new album will gain 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 offered tantalising glimpses of their forthcoming record, the band remains typically tight-lipped about release timelines and supplementary content. The Royal Albert Hall concert served as a strategically designed reintroduction, indicating to fans and industry observers alike that the group’s artistic output remains fully functional. Lauren Mayberry’s honest comments to the audience—acknowledging both the concerns regarding their new direction and the authentic enthusiasm of sharing unreleased work—struck a distinctly personal note that connected 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 evolution.
The reunion also reflects a broader change in the way Chvrches aims to work moving forward, possibly creating a more sustainable model that accommodates individual personal projects alongside collaborative endeavours. Rather than insisting on full involvement from all members, this refined method recognises the creative benefits of allowing band members to explore solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her work on Vicious Creature appears to have offered essential insight and revitalised passion for Chvrches’ signature style. As the group remains focused on their new album, fans can expect 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 marks Chvrches’ first full-length project since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo work shaped her artistic vision for the band’s forthcoming album
- The group has not yet announced an official release date for their next album
