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 showcased 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 upcoming album. 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 Joyful Reunion Following Years Apart
The Royal Albert Hall performance marked a successful comeback for Chvrches, whose last album, Screen Violence, was released in 2021. The intervening years saw significant changes 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 intact and valued. The intimate nature 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 shaped the band’s new direction. She unveiled her debut solo album, Vicious Creature, in December 2024, with a full touring schedule across 2025. In an interview with NME about her decision to branch out, 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 artistic ground that might not fit inside the band’s established sound, ultimately strengthening the work she contributes to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence came out in 2021
- Mayberry pursued solo project starting in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature dropped December 2024
- Band announced fresh material being worked on during summer
Revealing ‘Conman’ to a Captive Audience
The Instance of Unveiling
The unveiling of “Conman” marked a significant turning point for Chvrches, giving loyal supporters their initial look of the band’s creative evolution after their lengthy absence. Mayberry’s honest words to the Royal Albert Hall gathering struck a perfect balance between self-deprecation and genuine excitement, recognising the extended period between full-length projects whilst generating excitement for the future. Her assurance that the band had actually continued working during their break from the spotlight—rather than merely withdrawing from public life—offered comfort to supporters who had been uncertain about the band’s direction ahead and dedication to fresh releases.
The decision to premiere “Conman” at such a prominent philanthropic event added significant weight to the moment. By choosing the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert as the platform for introducing new songs, Chvrches showed their willingness to use their platform for meaningful causes whilst simultaneously honouring the loyal fan community who had stayed committed through years of uncertainty. Mayberry’s humble request for the audience’s patience and kindness, given that the band had never performed the track before a live audience, created an intimate atmosphere that went beyond the grandeur of the historic venue and cultivated genuine rapport between performers and spectators.
The unveiling of “Conman” suggests that Chvrches’ new release will probably reflect the artistic growth and creative exploration that Mayberry pursued during her solo project. Though the band has remained characteristically tight-lipped about timeline details and further information concerning the upcoming record, the presence of completed tracks implies that fans won’t encounter an extended wait for a complete album. The song’s debut at such a prestigious occasion indicates the band’s faith in their new direction and their eagerness to move forward with this new phase, merging the collective identity Chvrches have built with the innovative ideas their members have developed during their time apart.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo career and return
Lauren Mayberry’s move to depart from Chvrches in 2023 marked a pivotal moment in her professional journey, one that finally brought about a deeper understanding of her own creative voice. The Scottish singer’s solo album, Vicious Creature, released in December 2024, delivered a candid window into her creative work beyond the group structure of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she performed widely in promotion of the solo project, engaging with audiences on a closer, more individual footing and cementing her status as a powerful solo performer in her own right. This period of independence was creatively crucial, enabling her to investigate subject matter and lyrical ground that would not have gained authentic voice within Chvrches’ defined sound.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall represented far more than a simple return to the band; it symbolised 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 turning away of the group, Mayberry has positioned it as a necessary evolution that has enhanced her awareness of herself as an artist. The experience of writing and presenting Vicious Creature solo seems to have reinvigorated her approach to composition and live delivery, bringing renewed energy and insight to the band’s joint creative work. Her openness to coming back to Chvrches with this newfound confidence points to a improved harmony and contentment in their creative relationship going ahead.
Developing Her Unique Voice
When talking about 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 required a single storytelling perspective rather than the collective perspective that defines the band’s output. This distinction proved crucial 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’ sonic identity. The solo album served as a vital channel for self-expression that transcended the band’s collaborative boundaries.
Mayberry’s explanation of this artistic differentiation highlights a widespread tension faced by participants in thriving collectives: the balance between personal creative expression and shared identity. By recognising that she remains the voice within Chvrches whilst simultaneously requiring the opportunity to express a purely personal viewpoint, Mayberry demonstrated mature insight about her position within the band. Her individual endeavour was not an defiant move but rather a complementary exploration that eventually improves her involvement in Chvrches. This growth in her musical perspective indicates that the upcoming record will benefit from the clarity and confidence she has developed through her time away.
What The Future Holds for the Scottish Synth-Pop Legends
Whilst Chvrches have provided tantalising glimpses of their forthcoming record, the band remains typically tight-lipped about rollout plans and supplementary content. The Royal Albert Hall show served as a meticulously planned reintroduction, communicating to fans and sector commentators alike that the group’s creative engine remains actively engaged. Lauren Mayberry’s honest comments to the audience—acknowledging both the concerns regarding their evolving sound and the genuine excitement of sharing unfinished tracks—struck a notably human tone that struck a chord with attendees. The strategic move to debut “Conman” at such a prestigious, charity-focused venue underscored the significance of this moment for the band’s evolution.
The reunion also represents a broader shift in how Chvrches intends to operate moving forward, potentially establishing a more sustainable model that accommodates individual artistic pursuits alongside collective work. Rather than insisting on full involvement from all members, this developed strategy recognises the artistic advantages of enabling musicians to pursue solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her work on Vicious Creature appears to have provided essential understanding and fresh energy for Chvrches’ signature style. As the group remains focused on their new album, fans can anticipate a project informed by both the band’s signature electronic sensibilities and the greater personal understanding each member has cultivated during their time apart.
- The latest album represents Chvrches’ first full-length project since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo endeavours informed her creative perspective for the band’s upcoming record
- The group has not yet announced an confirmed launch date for their forthcoming release
