Chvrches have performed live once again for the first instance after nearly three years, marking a important occasion for the Scottish synth-pop trio. The band played at 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 preview to material from their forthcoming record. 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 Triumphant Reunion After Years Apart
The Royal Albert Hall show marked a successful comeback for Chvrches, whose last album, Screen Violence, was came out in 2021. The years in between saw significant changes within the band, particularly for frontwoman Lauren Mayberry, who revealed she was leaving in 2023 to pursue a solo career. Despite this change, the reunion demonstrates that the group’s creative partnership remains intact and valued. The intimate nature of the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert provided an perfect venue for such a significant return, allowing the band to engage with their audience in a prestigious London venue.
Mayberry’s solo work have clearly enhanced her artistic perspective and shaped the band’s evolving sound. She released her debut solo album, Vicious Creature, in December 2024, with a comprehensive tour across 2025. Speaking to NME about her choice to pursue solo work, she explained that specific songwriting ideas demanded a individual perspective rather than the group approach of Chvrches. This separation has clearly enabled her to explore creative territory that might not fit inside the band’s signature style, in turn strengthening the work she contributes to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence released in 2021
- Mayberry pursued solo project beginning in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature released December 2024
- Band confirmed new music in development last summer
Revealing ‘Conman’ to a Held Audience
The Moment of Revelation
The introduction of “Conman” marked a pivotal point for Chvrches, giving dedicated listeners their opening view 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 self-deprecation and genuine excitement, recognising the prolonged interval between studio albums whilst generating excitement for the future. Her declaration that the band had indeed been productive during their time away—rather than simply retreating from public visibility—gave confidence to fans who had questioned about the group’s future trajectory and focus on upcoming work.
The decision to premiere “Conman” at such a prestigious charitable event added significant weight to the moment. By selecting the Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert as the platform for unveiling new songs, Chvrches demonstrated their willingness to use their platform for important charitable work whilst simultaneously honouring the loyal fan community who had remained loyal 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 went beyond the grandeur of the historic venue and cultivated genuine rapport between performers and spectators.
The unveiling of “Conman” indicates that Chvrches’ new release will likely reflect the creative development and experimentation that Mayberry investigated during her solo venture. Though the band has stayed notably secretive about release timelines and additional details regarding the upcoming record, the presence of completed tracks suggests that fans won’t encounter an extended wait for a finished work. The single’s launch at such a high-profile event demonstrates the band’s confidence in their new direction and their eagerness to move forward with this next chapter, merging the unified aesthetic Chvrches have cultivated with the new viewpoints their band members have explored during their period of separation.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo career and comeback
Lauren Mayberry’s move to depart from Chvrches in 2023 marked a significant juncture in her professional journey, one that eventually resulted in a deeper understanding of her own creative expression. The singer from Scotland’s solo album, Vicious Creature, came out in December 2024, offered a candid window into her artistry outside of the collective framework of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she toured extensively in support of the solo project, reconnecting with audiences on a deeper, more personal basis and cementing her status as a formidable solo artist in her own right. This time of self-direction was creatively crucial, allowing her to explore themes and lyrical territories that might not have found organic articulation within Chvrches’ recognised style.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall signified considerably more than a simple return to the band; it reflected a resolution of tensions between Mayberry’s solo artistic goals and her lasting bond to Chvrches’ shared artistic direction. Rather than considering her solo venture as a departure or rejection of the group, Mayberry has positioned it as a essential development that has enriched her understanding of herself as an artist. The experience of writing and presenting Vicious Creature independently evidently has revitalised her methodology to songwriting and performance, introducing revitalised momentum and perspective to the band’s collaborative efforts. Her willingness to return to Chvrches with this recently developed certainty points to a improved harmony and contentment in their creative relationship in the future.
Uncovering Her Own Voice
When talking about her solo work with NME, Mayberry disclosed that specific lyrical ideas and artistic directions simply could not be accommodated within Chvrches’ established framework. She explained that some material demanded a singular narrative voice rather than the shared viewpoint that defines the band’s output. This difference 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’ sonic identity. The solo album became a necessary outlet for self-expression that transcended the band’s collaborative boundaries.
Mayberry’s expression of this artistic differentiation 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 concurrently requiring space to express a purely personal standpoint, Mayberry revealed sophisticated self-awareness about her role within the band. Her individual endeavour wasn’t an act of rebellion but rather a supplementary investigation that eventually improves her contributions to Chvrches. This development of her artistic thinking implies that the new album will profit from the clarity and confidence she has gained through her time away.
What Lies Ahead for the Scottish Synth-Pop Icons
Whilst Chvrches have shared tantalising previews of their upcoming album, the band remains typically tight-lipped about rollout plans and additional material. The Royal Albert Hall show served as a meticulously planned reintroduction, signalling to fans and sector commentators alike that the group’s creative momentum remains fully functional. Lauren Mayberry’s candid remarks to the audience—acknowledging both the nerves surrounding their fresh approach and the authentic enthusiasm of sharing unfinished tracks—struck a distinctly personal note that struck a chord with attendees. The intentional decision to debut “Conman” at such a prestigious, charity-focused venue underscored the importance of this moment for the band’s direction.
The reunion also represents a broader shift in how Chvrches intends to operate moving forward, possibly creating a more enduring approach that supports individual artistic pursuits alongside collective work. Rather than insisting on full involvement from all members, this evolved approach recognizes the artistic advantages of allowing band members to explore solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her work on Vicious Creature appears to have given essential understanding and fresh energy for Chvrches’ signature style. As the group continues developing their new album, fans can expect a project shaped by both the band’s distinctive sonic approach and the deeper self-knowledge each member has cultivated during their time apart.
- The latest album marks 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 confirmed launch date for their next album
