Chvrches have performed live once again for the first time in nearly three years, marking a notable milestone 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 unveiled a brand new track titled “Conman,” giving the audience an exclusive preview to material from their forthcoming record. Singer Lauren Mayberry presented the track 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 Homecoming After Years Apart
The Royal Albert Hall show marked a triumphant return for Chvrches, whose last album, Screen Violence, was came out 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 change, the reunion demonstrates that the group’s creative partnership remains intact and valued. The personal feel of the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert offered an perfect venue for such a meaningful comeback, allowing the band to engage with their audience 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, followed by a full touring schedule throughout 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 enabled her to explore creative territory that might not fit inside the band’s signature style, in turn improving the material she contributes to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence released in 2021
- Mayberry launched solo project starting in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature released December 2024
- Band announced new music in development last summer
Uncovering ‘Conman’ to a Captive Audience
The Moment of Revelation
The release of “Conman” marked a significant turning point for Chvrches, offering dedicated listeners their opening view of the ensemble’s creative progression since their extended hiatus. Mayberry’s frank remarks to the Royal Albert Hall gathering achieved an ideal equilibrium between modest self-critique and authentic enthusiasm, recognising the extended period between recorded releases whilst building anticipation for the future. Her declaration that the band had indeed been productive during their break from the spotlight—rather than just stepping back from public visibility—gave confidence to supporters who had wondered about the group’s future trajectory and commitment to new material.
The choice to premiere “Conman” at such a prestigious charitable event added significant weight to the moment. By choosing the Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert as the platform for unveiling new songs, Chvrches demonstrated their commitment to use their platform for meaningful causes whilst simultaneously honouring the dedicated fanbase who had remained loyal through years of uncertainty. Mayberry’s humble request for the crowd’s understanding and compassion, given that the band had never performed the track before a live audience, created an personal ambiance that transcended the grandeur of the historic venue and cultivated genuine rapport between performers and spectators.
The introduction of “Conman” indicates that Chvrches’ upcoming album will probably showcase the musical evolution and creative exploration that Mayberry pursued during her independent work. Though the band has stayed notably secretive about launch schedules and further information regarding the new album, the existence of finished material indicates that fans may not face an prolonged period for a complete album. The song’s debut at such a prestigious occasion reflects the band’s confidence in their fresh approach and their desire to progress with this next chapter, combining the unified aesthetic Chvrches have cultivated with the new viewpoints their members have developed during their period of separation.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo career and return
Lauren Mayberry’s decision to step away from Chvrches in 2023 constituted a significant juncture in her professional journey, one that finally brought about a deeper understanding of her own creative expression. The Scottish vocalist’s solo album, Vicious Creature, came out in December 2024, delivered a candid window into her artistic output outside of the collective framework of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she toured extensively in backing the solo project, rebuilding relationships with audiences on a deeper, more personal basis and cementing her status as a accomplished solo musician in her own right. This period of independence proved creatively essential, allowing her to explore thematic areas and lyrical spaces that might not have found organic articulation within Chvrches’ recognised style.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall represented far more than a simple reintegration into the band; it symbolised a resolution of tensions between Mayberry’s personal creative aspirations and her enduring connection to Chvrches’ unified creative purpose. Rather than regarding her solo venture as a turning away of the group, Mayberry has described it as a essential development that has deepened her comprehension of herself as an artist. The experience of writing and presenting Vicious Creature independently seems to have reinvigorated her approach to songwriting and performance, bringing renewed energy and insight to the band’s shared projects. Her willingness to return to Chvrches with this newfound confidence points to a more balanced, fulfilled creative partnership going ahead.
Discovering Her Own Voice
When discussing her solo work with NME, Mayberry revealed that specific lyrical ideas and creative approaches simply could not be accommodated within Chvrches’ existing structure. She explained that some material demanded a singular narrative voice rather than the shared viewpoint that characterises the band’s output. This difference was essential to her artistic development, as it enabled her to examine 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 explanation of this creative distinction underscores a common challenge faced by members of thriving collectives: the conflict between personal creative expression and collective identity. By recognising that she continues as the narrator within Chvrches whilst simultaneously requiring space to communicate a deeply individual viewpoint, Mayberry displayed sophisticated self-awareness about her position within the band. Her individual endeavour was not an act of rebellion but rather a complementary exploration that in the end strengthens her contributions to Chvrches. This maturation in her musical perspective implies that the new album will profit from the assurance and conviction she has acquired from her period apart.
What The Future Holds for the Scottish Synth-Pop Icons
Whilst Chvrches have shared tantalising glimpses of their upcoming album, the band remains notably tight-lipped about release timelines and extra tracks. The Royal Albert Hall concert served as a carefully orchestrated reintroduction, indicating to fans and sector commentators alike that the group’s artistic output remains actively engaged. Lauren Mayberry’s candid remarks to the audience—acknowledging both the nerves surrounding their new direction and the genuine excitement of sharing unfinished tracks—struck a notably human tone that resonated with attendees. The deliberate choice to debut “Conman” at such a prestigious, charity-focused venue underscored the weight of this moment for the band’s direction.
The reunion also represents a broader shift in how Chvrches aims to work moving forward, conceivably introducing a more enduring approach that supports individual artistic pursuits alongside collaborative endeavours. Rather than requiring complete dedication 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 provided 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 influenced by both the band’s distinctive sonic approach and the enhanced self-awareness each member has gained during their time apart.
- The new album represents Chvrches’ debut full-length offering since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo endeavours informed her artistic vision for the band’s upcoming record
- The group has not yet announced an official release date for their forthcoming release
