Chvrches have returned to the stage 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 included Garbage, My Bloody Valentine, and Elbow. During their set, the group introduced a new song titled “Conman,” giving the audience an exclusive preview to material from their forthcoming record. Singer Lauren Mayberry introduced 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 Years Away
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 announced her departure in 2023 to pursue a solo career. Despite this change, the comeback demonstrates that the group’s creative partnership remains strong and appreciated. The intimate nature of the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert provided an perfect venue for such a significant return, allowing the band to reconnect with fans in a renowned London location.
Mayberry’s individual projects have clearly enhanced her artistic perspective and contributed to the band’s new direction. She unveiled 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 demanded a personal voice rather than the group approach of Chvrches. This separation has evidently allowed her to venture into artistic ground that wouldn’t suit within the band’s signature style, 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 released December 2024
- Band confirmed new music in development during summer
Revealing ‘Conman’ to a Trapped Audience
The Moment of Revelation
The unveiling of “Conman” marked a significant turning point for Chvrches, offering devoted fans their initial look of the band’s creative evolution after their lengthy absence. Mayberry’s honest words to the Royal Albert Hall crowd struck a perfect balance between self-deprecation and real anticipation, acknowledging the prolonged interval between studio albums whilst heightening expectation for what was to come. Her assurance that the band had genuinely remained active during their period of absence—rather than merely withdrawing from public visibility—provided reassurance to supporters who had been uncertain about the band’s direction ahead and focus on upcoming work.
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 venue for unveiling fresh material, Chvrches showed their willingness to use their platform for meaningful causes whilst also rewarding the loyal fan community who had stayed committed through years of uncertainty. Mayberry’s modest appeal 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 transcended the grandeur of the historic venue and cultivated genuine rapport between performers and spectators.
The introduction of “Conman” signals that Chvrches’ new release will likely demonstrate the musical evolution and experimentation that Mayberry pursued during her independent work. Though the band has remained characteristically reserved about release timelines and further information about the latest project, the presence of completed tracks indicates that fans may not face an lengthy delay for a full project. The track’s premiere at such a high-profile event indicates the band’s belief in their new direction and their enthusiasm for advancing with this next chapter, blending the unified aesthetic Chvrches have cultivated with the new viewpoints their individual artists have gained during their break from the band.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo career and return
Lauren Mayberry’s move to depart from Chvrches in 2023 represented a significant juncture in her professional journey, one that finally brought about a more profound comprehension of her own creative expression. The Scottish vocalist’s solo album, Vicious Creature, came out in December 2024, offered a honest glimpse into her artistry separate from the group structure of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she travelled extensively in support of the solo project, engaging with audiences on a more intimate, personal level and establishing herself as a powerful solo performer in her own right. This period of independence was creatively crucial, allowing her to explore thematic areas and lyrical spaces that would not have gained authentic voice within Chvrches’ recognised style.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall constituted much more than a simple comeback with the band; it embodied 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 departure or rejection of the group, Mayberry has positioned it as a necessary evolution that has enhanced her awareness of herself as an artist. The experience of creating and delivering Vicious Creature independently seems to have revitalised her methodology 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 points to a more balanced, fulfilled creative partnership in the future.
Discovering Her Own Voice
When discussing her solo work with NME, Mayberry disclosed that certain lyrical concepts and artistic directions could not easily fit within Chvrches’ established framework. She noted 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 artistic development, as it allowed her to explore emotional depth, lived experiences, and subject matter that might have felt at odds with Chvrches’ musical character. The solo album became a necessary outlet for self-expression that went beyond the band’s collective framework.
Mayberry’s articulation of this creative distinction highlights a typical difficulty encountered by participants in successful groups: the conflict between individual artistic vision and shared identity. By accepting that she remains the narrator within Chvrches whilst at the same time needing the opportunity to communicate a wholly personal viewpoint, Mayberry revealed sophisticated self-awareness about her position within the band. Her individual endeavour wasn’t an rebellious gesture but rather a supplementary investigation that eventually enhances her contributions to Chvrches. This development of her musical perspective implies that the new album will gain from the assurance and conviction she has acquired from her time away.
What Lies Ahead for the Scottish Synth-Pop Legends
Whilst Chvrches have offered tantalising glimpses of their new material, the band remains notably tight-lipped about rollout plans and extra tracks. The Royal Albert Hall concert served as a carefully orchestrated reintroduction, communicating to fans and music critics alike that the group’s artistic output remains actively engaged. Lauren Mayberry’s forthright observations to the audience—acknowledging both the nerves surrounding their fresh approach and the authentic enthusiasm of sharing unreleased work—struck a genuinely relatable quality that connected with attendees. The deliberate choice to debut “Conman” at such a esteemed, cause-driven venue underscored the importance of this moment for the band’s trajectory.
The reunion also reflects a broader shift in how Chvrches plans to function moving forward, conceivably introducing a more enduring approach that accommodates individual artistic pursuits alongside collaborative endeavours. Rather than insisting on full involvement from all members, this evolved approach recognizes the productive value of letting members develop solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her involvement with Vicious Creature appears to have given essential perspective and renewed enthusiasm for Chvrches’ distinctive sound. As the group keeps working on their new album, fans can anticipate a project shaped by both the band’s characteristic electronic style and the greater personal understanding each member has developed during their time apart.
- The latest album marks Chvrches’ first full-length project since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo work informed her creative perspective for the band’s upcoming record
- The group has yet to reveal an official release date for their forthcoming release
