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 introduced a new song titled “Conman,” giving the audience an exclusive first hearing 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 Joyful Homecoming After Years Away
The Royal Albert Hall concert 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, especially for frontwoman Lauren Mayberry, who revealed she was leaving in 2023 to pursue a solo career. Despite this change, the comeback 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 reconnect with fans in a prestigious London venue.
Mayberry’s solo work have clearly enriched her artistic vision and shaped the band’s new direction. 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 noted 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 wouldn’t suit within the band’s signature style, ultimately strengthening the work she contributes to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence released in 2021
- Mayberry pursued solo project starting in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature dropped December 2024
- Band confirmed fresh material being worked on during summer
Revealing ‘Conman’ to a Held Audience
The Moment of Revelation
The unveiling of “Conman” marked a watershed moment for Chvrches, offering devoted fans their initial look of the band’s creative evolution following their prolonged break. Mayberry’s frank remarks to the Royal Albert Hall gathering struck a perfect balance between self-deprecation and real anticipation, acknowledging the lengthy gap between full-length projects whilst building anticipation for the future. Her confirmation that the band had genuinely remained active during their period of absence—rather than just stepping back from public life—provided reassurance to supporters who had wondered about the group’s future trajectory and dedication to fresh releases.
The decision to premiere “Conman” at such a prominent philanthropic event lent considerable gravitas to the moment. By selecting the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert as the platform for unveiling new songs, Chvrches showed their commitment to use their platform for important charitable work whilst simultaneously honouring the dedicated fanbase 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 live audience, created an intimate atmosphere that transcended the grandeur of the historic venue and cultivated genuine rapport between performers and spectators.
The unveiling of “Conman” signals that Chvrches’ new release will likely demonstrate the artistic growth and experimentation that Mayberry pursued during her solo venture. Though the band has remained characteristically reserved about launch schedules and additional details concerning the latest project, the presence of completed tracks indicates that fans won’t encounter an extended wait for a complete album. The track’s premiere at such a high-profile event demonstrates the band’s faith in their new direction and their eagerness to move forward with this new phase, merging the collective identity Chvrches have cultivated with the innovative ideas their band members have explored during their time apart.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo career and return
Lauren Mayberry’s decision to step away from Chvrches in 2023 marked a significant juncture in her artistic career, one that eventually resulted in a greater insight of her own creative voice. The Scottish singer’s solo album, Vicious Creature, launched in December 2024, provided a transparent view into her artistry separate from the group structure of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she travelled extensively in support of the solo project, rebuilding relationships with audiences on a deeper, more personal basis and positioning herself as a accomplished solo musician 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 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 harmonisation of Mayberry’s individual artistic ambitions and her lasting bond to Chvrches’ collective vision. Rather than regarding 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 solo seems to have revitalised her methodology 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 indicates a improved harmony and contentment in their creative relationship moving forward.
Finding Her Unique Voice
When discussing her solo work with NME, Mayberry disclosed that certain lyrical concepts and creative approaches simply could not be accommodated within Chvrches’ established framework. She noted that some material demanded a singular narrative voice rather than the collective perspective that defines the band’s output. This difference was essential 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 necessary outlet for personal creativity that went beyond the band’s collective framework.
Mayberry’s explanation of this artistic differentiation illustrates a widespread tension experienced by members of successful groups: the tension between personal creative expression and collective identity. By acknowledging that she stays the storyteller within Chvrches whilst at the same time needing room to communicate a purely personal viewpoint, Mayberry demonstrated nuanced understanding about her role within the band. Her solo project wasn’t an defiant move but rather a complementary exploration that ultimately improves her work with Chvrches. This development of her creative approach suggests that the upcoming record will profit from the clarity and confidence she has gained through her time away.
What The Future Holds for the Scottish Synth-Pop Legends
Whilst Chvrches have provided tantalising insights of their forthcoming record, the band remains notably tight-lipped about launch schedules and supplementary content. The Royal Albert Hall show served as a carefully orchestrated reintroduction, communicating to fans and sector commentators alike that the group’s artistic output remains actively engaged. Lauren Mayberry’s forthright observations to the audience—acknowledging both the concerns regarding their evolving sound and the real anticipation of sharing new songs—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 evolution.
The reunion also reflects a broader shift in how Chvrches aims to work moving forward, possibly creating a more viable framework that supports individual creative endeavours alongside collaborative endeavours. Rather than insisting on full involvement from all members, this evolved approach recognises the creative benefits of allowing band members to explore solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her experience with Vicious Creature appears to have given essential insight and revitalised passion for Chvrches’ characteristic aesthetic. As the group remains focused on their new album, fans can expect a project shaped by both the band’s signature electronic sensibilities and the deeper self-knowledge each member has gained during their period separated.
- The new album represents Chvrches’ debut full-length offering since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo work shaped her creative perspective for the band’s forthcoming album
- The group has yet to reveal an confirmed launch date for their next album
