Chvrches have performed live once again for the first time 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 showcased Garbage, My Bloody Valentine, and Elbow. During their set, the group premiered an original piece titled “Conman,” giving the audience an exclusive first hearing to material from their forthcoming record. 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 Successful Gathering Following Decades Away
The Royal Albert Hall performance marked a successful comeback 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 revealed she was leaving in 2023 to focus on solo work. Despite this change, the comeback demonstrates that the group’s artistic collaboration remains intact and valued. The personal feel of the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert offered an ideal setting for such a meaningful comeback, allowing the band to reconnect with fans in a renowned London location.
Mayberry’s solo work have clearly enriched her artistic vision and contributed to the band’s evolving sound. She unveiled her first solo record, Vicious Creature, in December 2024, with a full touring schedule across 2025. Speaking to NME about her choice to pursue solo work, she explained that specific songwriting ideas required a personal voice rather than the collective narrative of Chvrches. This separation has clearly allowed her to explore creative territory that wouldn’t suit within the band’s established sound, in turn strengthening the material she contributes to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence released in 2021
- Mayberry pursued solo project starting in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature dropped December 2024
- Band confirmed new music in development during summer
Revealing ‘Conman’ to a Captive Audience
The Instance of Unveiling
The release of “Conman” constituted a significant turning point for Chvrches, providing devoted fans their first glimpse of the ensemble’s creative progression following their prolonged break. Mayberry’s frank remarks to the Royal Albert Hall audience maintained an excellent balance between modest self-critique and authentic enthusiasm, recognising the lengthy gap between recorded releases whilst building anticipation for what lay ahead. Her assurance that the band had actually continued working during their time away—rather than just stepping back from public life—gave confidence to fans who had wondered about the ensemble’s path forward and dedication to fresh releases.
The decision to premiere “Conman” at such a prominent philanthropic event added significant weight to the moment. By selecting the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert as the platform for introducing new songs, Chvrches showed their commitment to use their platform for important charitable work whilst also honouring the dedicated fanbase who had remained loyal 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 cultivated genuine connection between performers and spectators.
The release of “Conman” indicates that Chvrches’ forthcoming record will likely showcase the musical evolution and experimentation that Mayberry explored during her solo project. Though the band has stayed notably reserved about timeline details and further information regarding the latest project, the availability of recorded songs suggests that fans may not face an lengthy delay for a full project. The single’s launch at such a prestigious occasion indicates the band’s faith in their new direction and their desire to progress with this upcoming era, merging the unified aesthetic Chvrches have built with the innovative ideas their members have developed during their period of separation.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo journey and return
Lauren Mayberry’s choice to leave Chvrches in 2023 constituted a pivotal moment in her professional journey, one that finally brought about a greater insight of her own creative voice. The Scottish vocalist’s solo album, Vicious Creature, came out in December 2024, delivered a honest glimpse into her artistic output separate from the band format of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she performed widely in promotion of the solo project, reconnecting with audiences on a closer, more individual footing and establishing herself as a formidable solo artist in her own right. This stretch of autonomy proved creatively essential, allowing her to explore thematic areas and lyrical spaces 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 reflected a resolution of tensions between Mayberry’s personal creative aspirations and her sustained commitment to Chvrches’ collective vision. Rather than considering her solo venture as a abandonment or dismissal of the group, Mayberry has framed it as a necessary evolution that has enhanced her awareness of herself as an artist. The experience of crafting and performing Vicious Creature solo appears to have revitalised her methodology to songwriting and performance, bringing renewed energy and vision to the band’s joint creative work. Her willingness to return to Chvrches with this newly acquired self-assurance indicates a more balanced, fulfilled creative partnership moving forward.
Finding Her Unique Voice
When talking about her solo work with NME, Mayberry disclosed that specific lyrical ideas and creative approaches could not easily fit 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 distinction was essential 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 became a vital channel for self-expression that transcended the band’s collective framework.
Mayberry’s expression of this artistic differentiation highlights a common challenge encountered by participants in accomplished ensembles: the balance between individual artistic vision and group cohesion. By recognising that she continues as the narrator within Chvrches whilst at the same time needing the opportunity to express a deeply individual viewpoint, Mayberry revealed sophisticated self-awareness about her role within the band. Her independent work was not an rebellious gesture but rather a enriching pursuit that ultimately enhances her work with Chvrches. This development of her artistic thinking implies that the new album will gain from the clarity and confidence she has developed through her time away.
What The Future Holds for the Scottish Synth-Pop Icons
Whilst Chvrches have shared tantalising glimpses of their forthcoming record, the band remains notably tight-lipped about rollout plans and additional material. The Royal Albert Hall show served as a strategically designed reintroduction, indicating to fans and sector commentators alike that the group’s creative engine remains fully functional. Lauren Mayberry’s honest comments to the audience—acknowledging both the concerns regarding their fresh approach and the real anticipation of sharing new songs—struck a distinctly personal note that resonated 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 represents a broader change in the way Chvrches aims to work moving forward, potentially establishing a more enduring approach that supports individual artistic pursuits alongside collective work. Rather than requiring complete dedication from all members, this developed strategy recognizes the creative benefits of allowing band members to explore solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her experience with Vicious Creature appears to have offered essential insight and revitalised passion for Chvrches’ characteristic aesthetic. As the group remains focused on their new album, fans can look forward to a project informed by both the band’s distinctive sonic approach and the greater personal understanding each member has cultivated during their spell away.
- The new album represents Chvrches’ first full-length project since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo work shaped her artistic vision for the band’s upcoming record
- The group has yet to reveal an confirmed launch date for their next album
