Chvrches have performed live once again for the first occasion 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 showcased 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 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 Triumphant Homecoming After Decades Away
The Royal Albert Hall show marked a successful comeback for Chvrches, whose last album, Screen Violence, was released in 2021. The years in between 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 comeback 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 reconnect with fans in a prestigious London venue.
Mayberry’s individual projects have clearly enriched her artistic perspective and shaped the band’s new direction. She released her debut solo album, Vicious Creature, in December 2024, followed by a full touring schedule throughout 2025. In an interview with NME about her decision to branch out, she noted that specific songwriting ideas required a individual perspective rather than the group approach of Chvrches. This distinction has evidently enabled her to venture into artistic ground that might not fit within the band’s signature style, in turn improving the work she brings back to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence came out in 2021
- Mayberry pursued solo career starting in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature released December 2024
- Band announced new music in development last summer
Exposing ‘Conman’ to a Captive Audience
The Point of Discovery
The introduction of “Conman” constituted a significant turning point for Chvrches, giving loyal supporters their opening view of the ensemble’s creative progression after their lengthy absence. Mayberry’s honest words to the Royal Albert Hall gathering struck a perfect balance between self-deprecation and real anticipation, addressing the lengthy gap between recorded releases whilst building anticipation for the future. Her declaration that the band had genuinely remained active during their break from the spotlight—rather than simply retreating from the public eye—gave confidence to supporters who had been uncertain about the group’s future trajectory and focus on upcoming work.
The choice to premiere “Conman” at such a prestigious charitable event added significant weight to the moment. By selecting the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert as the platform for unveiling new songs, Chvrches demonstrated their commitment to use their profile for important charitable work whilst also honouring the loyal fan community who had stayed committed through years of uncertainty. Mayberry’s modest appeal for the crowd’s understanding and compassion, given that the band had never performed the track before a paying crowd, created an personal ambiance that transcended the grandeur of the historic venue and fostered genuine rapport between performers and spectators.
The release of “Conman” signals that Chvrches’ new release will likely reflect the creative development and creative exploration that Mayberry pursued during her solo venture. Though the band has remained characteristically tight-lipped about release timelines and other specifics concerning the new album, the presence of completed tracks indicates that fans are unlikely to experience an extended wait for a full project. The song’s debut at such a high-profile event demonstrates the band’s confidence in their new direction and their enthusiasm for advancing with this next chapter, blending the shared sound Chvrches have developed with the new viewpoints their band members have explored during their break from the band.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo career and comeback
Lauren Mayberry’s choice to leave Chvrches in 2023 constituted a pivotal moment in her artistic career, one that finally brought about a deeper understanding of her own artistic identity. The Scottish vocalist’s solo album, Vicious Creature, released in December 2024, provided a honest glimpse into her artistry beyond the band format of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she performed widely in promotion of the solo project, engaging with audiences on a more intimate, personal level and cementing her status as a accomplished solo musician in her own right. This time of self-direction proved creatively essential, letting her delve into thematic areas and lyrical spaces that would not have gained authentic voice within Chvrches’ recognised style.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall represented far more than a simple comeback with the band; it reflected a reconciliation between Mayberry’s solo artistic goals and her sustained commitment to Chvrches’ unified creative purpose. Rather than regarding 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 writing and presenting Vicious Creature solo evidently has refreshed her method to composition and live delivery, bringing renewed energy and vision to the band’s collaborative efforts. Her readiness to rejoin to Chvrches with this recently developed certainty points to a more balanced, fulfilled creative partnership in the future.
Discovering Her Own Voice
When discussing her solo work with NME, Mayberry revealed that certain lyrical concepts and creative approaches could not easily fit within Chvrches’ existing structure. She noted that some material demanded a single storytelling perspective rather than the collective perspective 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 served as a necessary outlet for self-expression that went beyond the band’s collective framework.
Mayberry’s explanation of this creative distinction underscores a typical difficulty experienced by participants in thriving collectives: the balance between individual artistic vision and shared identity. By acknowledging that she stays the narrator within Chvrches whilst concurrently requiring room to communicate a purely personal standpoint, Mayberry revealed mature insight about her place within the band. Her independent work was not an rebellious gesture but rather a enriching pursuit that ultimately enhances her involvement in Chvrches. This maturation in her musical perspective suggests that the forthcoming release will gain from the assurance and conviction she has developed through her spell away.
What The Future Holds for the Scottish Synth-Pop Legends
Whilst Chvrches have shared tantalising insights of their new material, the band remains typically tight-lipped about release timelines and additional material. The Royal Albert Hall performance served as a meticulously planned reintroduction, indicating to fans and music critics alike that the group’s creative momentum remains actively engaged. Lauren Mayberry’s candid remarks to the audience—acknowledging both the anxiety about their new direction and the authentic enthusiasm of sharing new songs—struck a notably human tone that connected with attendees. The intentional decision to debut “Conman” at such a prestigious, charity-focused venue underscored the weight 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 sustainable model that accommodates individual creative endeavours alongside collective work. Rather than demanding total commitment from all members, this evolved approach recognises the artistic advantages of enabling musicians to pursue solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her work on Vicious Creature appears to have given essential insight and revitalised passion for Chvrches’ characteristic aesthetic. As the group remains focused on their new album, fans can anticipate a project influenced by both the band’s characteristic electronic style and the enhanced self-awareness each member has cultivated during their spell away.
- The latest album represents Chvrches’ debut full-length offering since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo work informed her creative perspective for the band’s forthcoming album
- The group has yet to reveal an official release date for their next album
