Chvrches have performed live once again for the first time in nearly three years, marking a important occasion 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 premiered an original piece 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 Successful Reunion 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 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 change, the reunion 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 significant return, allowing the band to reconnect with fans in a prestigious London venue.
Mayberry’s solo work have clearly enhanced her artistic vision and contributed to the band’s new direction. She released her first solo record, Vicious Creature, in December 2024, followed by a comprehensive tour across 2025. Speaking to NME about her choice to pursue solo work, she explained that specific songwriting ideas demanded a personal voice rather than the group approach of Chvrches. This separation has clearly allowed her to explore artistic ground that wouldn’t suit inside the band’s signature style, ultimately improving the work she brings back to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence released in 2021
- Mayberry launched solo project starting in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature dropped December 2024
- Band confirmed new music being worked on during summer
Revealing ‘Conman’ to a Captive Audience
The Point of Discovery
The release of “Conman” represented a watershed moment for Chvrches, offering devoted fans their first glimpse of the group’s artistic development since their extended hiatus. Mayberry’s honest words to the Royal Albert Hall gathering achieved an ideal equilibrium between self-deprecation and real anticipation, addressing the lengthy gap between full-length projects whilst building anticipation for what was to come. Her declaration that the band had indeed been productive during their break from the spotlight—rather than simply retreating from public visibility—provided reassurance to devotees who had been uncertain about the band’s direction ahead and focus on upcoming work.
The choice 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 unveiling new songs, Chvrches showed their commitment to use their platform for meaningful causes whilst simultaneously rewarding the loyal fan community who had remained loyal through prolonged periods of doubt. Mayberry’s modest appeal for the crowd’s understanding and compassion, given that the band had not previously played the track before a live audience, created an intimate atmosphere that transcended the grandeur of the historic venue and fostered genuine rapport between performers and spectators.
The unveiling of “Conman” signals that Chvrches’ new release will likely reflect the artistic growth and creative exploration that Mayberry pursued during her independent work. Though the band has remained characteristically secretive about timeline details and further information regarding the latest project, the presence of completed tracks suggests that fans won’t encounter an extended wait for a finished work. The track’s premiere at an event of this calibre reflects the band’s confidence in their evolving sound and their desire to progress with this new phase, combining the unified aesthetic Chvrches have developed with the fresh perspectives their individual artists have gained during their break from the band.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo journey and comeback
Lauren Mayberry’s move to depart from Chvrches in 2023 represented a pivotal moment in her creative trajectory, one that finally brought about a more profound comprehension of her own creative expression. The singer from Scotland’s solo album, Vicious Creature, released in December 2024, offered a honest glimpse into her artistic output beyond the collective framework of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she toured extensively in support of the solo project, rebuilding relationships with audiences on a deeper, more personal basis and positioning herself as a powerful solo performer in her own right. This period of independence became artistically vital, letting her delve into themes and lyrical territories that would not have gained authentic voice within Chvrches’ established aesthetic.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall constituted much more than a simple return to the band; it reflected a harmonisation of Mayberry’s individual artistic ambitions and her sustained commitment to Chvrches’ collective vision. Rather than viewing her solo venture as a abandonment or dismissal of the group, Mayberry has positioned it as a vital progression that has enriched her understanding of herself as an artist. The experience of writing and presenting Vicious Creature independently appears to have reinvigorated her approach to composition and live delivery, delivering fresh vitality and vision to the band’s joint creative work. Her willingness to return to Chvrches with this newly acquired self-assurance indicates a greater equilibrium and satisfaction in their artistic collaboration moving forward.
Developing Her Unique Voice
When talking about her solo work with NME, Mayberry revealed that specific lyrical ideas and artistic directions simply could not be accommodated within Chvrches’ existing structure. She explained that some material demanded a singular narrative voice rather than the collective perspective that defines the band’s output. This difference proved crucial to her artistic development, as it enabled her to examine vulnerability, personal experiences, and thematic territory that might have felt incongruous with Chvrches’ musical character. The solo album became a vital channel for self-expression that transcended the band’s collaborative boundaries.
Mayberry’s articulation of this creative distinction highlights a widespread tension encountered by participants in thriving collectives: the balance between individual artistic vision and collective identity. By recognising that she continues as the voice within Chvrches whilst at the same time requiring room to communicate a deeply individual perspective, Mayberry displayed nuanced understanding about her position within the band. Her solo project was not an act of rebellion but rather a complementary exploration that ultimately enhances her contributions to Chvrches. This maturation in her artistic thinking suggests that the new album will benefit from the certainty and self-belief she has developed through her time away.
What The Future Holds for the Scottish Synth-Pop Icons
Whilst Chvrches have shared tantalising previews of their upcoming album, the band remains notably tight-lipped about launch schedules and supplementary content. The Royal Albert Hall show served as a meticulously planned reintroduction, indicating to fans and music critics alike that the group’s creative engine remains actively engaged. Lauren Mayberry’s candid remarks to the audience—acknowledging both the concerns regarding their evolving sound and the genuine excitement of sharing unreleased work—struck a genuinely relatable quality that struck a chord with attendees. The deliberate choice to debut “Conman” at such a high-profile, philanthropic venue underscored the weight of this moment for the band’s direction.
The reunion also signifies a broader shift in how Chvrches intends to operate moving forward, potentially establishing a more viable framework that allows for individual creative endeavours alongside collective work. Rather than demanding total commitment from all members, this refined method acknowledges the productive value of letting members develop solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her work on Vicious Creature appears to have offered essential perspective and renewed enthusiasm for Chvrches’ characteristic aesthetic. As the group continues developing their new album, fans can anticipate a project influenced by both the band’s characteristic electronic style and the greater personal understanding each member has developed during their spell away.
- The new 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 yet to reveal an official release date for their forthcoming release
