Chvrches have made their comeback on stage 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 included 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 spoke about 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 Gathering 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 major shifts within the band, particularly 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 offered an perfect venue for such a meaningful comeback, allowing the band to reconnect with fans in a renowned London location.
Mayberry’s individual projects have clearly enriched her artistic perspective and shaped the band’s new direction. She released her first solo record, Vicious Creature, in December 2024, with a comprehensive tour throughout 2025. Speaking to NME about her decision to branch out, she explained that specific songwriting ideas demanded a personal voice rather than the group approach of Chvrches. This separation has clearly enabled her to venture into creative territory that wouldn’t suit within the band’s signature style, in turn strengthening the material she contributes to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence came out in 2021
- Mayberry pursued solo project beginning in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature dropped December 2024
- Band announced new music being worked on during summer
Revealing ‘Conman’ to a Held Audience
The Moment of Revelation
The release of “Conman” represented a pivotal point for Chvrches, offering loyal supporters their first glimpse of the group’s artistic development after their lengthy absence. Mayberry’s candid address to the Royal Albert Hall crowd maintained an excellent balance between self-deprecation and authentic enthusiasm, acknowledging the extended period between recorded releases whilst heightening expectation for the future. Her assurance that the band had genuinely remained active during their period of absence—rather than simply retreating from public life—gave confidence to supporters who had been uncertain about the group’s future trajectory and commitment to new material.
The choice to premiere “Conman” at such a prominent philanthropic event lent considerable gravitas to the moment. By choosing the Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert as the venue for introducing fresh material, Chvrches demonstrated their commitment to use their platform for meaningful causes whilst simultaneously rewarding the dedicated fanbase who had stayed committed through prolonged periods of doubt. Mayberry’s modest appeal for the crowd’s understanding and compassion, given that the band had never performed the track before a paying crowd, fostered an personal ambiance that transcended the grandeur of the historic venue and fostered genuine connection between performers and spectators.
The unveiling of “Conman” suggests that Chvrches’ forthcoming record will likely reflect the artistic growth and experimentation that Mayberry pursued during her solo project. Though the band has stayed notably secretive about launch schedules and other specifics regarding the new album, the existence of finished material suggests that fans won’t encounter an prolonged period for a finished work. The song’s debut at an event of this calibre reflects the band’s belief in their fresh approach and their desire to progress with this upcoming era, blending the shared sound 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 move to depart from Chvrches in 2023 represented a pivotal moment in her creative trajectory, one that finally brought about a greater insight of her own creative voice. The singer from Scotland’s solo album, Vicious Creature, came out in December 2024, delivered a honest glimpse into her artistry beyond the collective framework of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she toured extensively in backing the solo project, reconnecting with audiences on a deeper, more personal basis and positioning herself as a formidable solo artist in her own right. This time of self-direction became artistically vital, letting her delve into subject matter and lyrical ground that would not have gained organic articulation within Chvrches’ established aesthetic.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall represented far more than a simple comeback with the band; it reflected a harmonisation of Mayberry’s individual artistic ambitions and her enduring connection to Chvrches’ unified creative purpose. Rather than regarding her solo venture as a departure or rejection of the group, Mayberry has described it as a essential development that has enhanced her awareness of herself as an artist. The experience of crafting and performing Vicious Creature independently evidently has revitalised her methodology to composition and live delivery, introducing revitalised momentum and perspective 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 moving forward.
Developing Her Unique Voice
When discussing her solo work with NME, Mayberry disclosed that specific lyrical ideas and artistic directions simply could not be accommodated within Chvrches’ existing structure. She explained that some material required a singular narrative voice rather than the shared viewpoint that characterises the band’s output. This distinction proved crucial to her creative growth, as it allowed her to explore vulnerability, personal experiences, and thematic territory that might have felt incongruous with Chvrches’ sonic identity. The solo album became a necessary outlet for self-expression that went beyond the band’s collaborative boundaries.
Mayberry’s explanation of this creative distinction highlights a common challenge faced by participants in successful groups: the balance between personal creative expression and shared identity. By recognising that she remains the voice within Chvrches whilst concurrently requiring space to speak from a deeply individual perspective, Mayberry revealed mature insight about her place within the band. Her individual endeavour was not an defiant move but rather a enriching pursuit that in the end strengthens her contributions to Chvrches. This development of her creative approach suggests that the forthcoming release will gain from the certainty and self-belief she has acquired from her spell away.
What Lies Ahead for the Scottish Synth-Pop Icons
Whilst Chvrches have offered tantalising insights of their new material, the band remains notably tight-lipped about release timelines and extra tracks. The Royal Albert Hall show served as a strategically designed reintroduction, communicating to fans and sector commentators alike that the group’s artistic output remains fully functional. Lauren Mayberry’s candid remarks to the audience—acknowledging both the nerves surrounding their fresh approach and the real anticipation of sharing new songs—struck a genuinely relatable quality that resonated with attendees. The deliberate choice to debut “Conman” at such a esteemed, cause-driven venue underscored the weight of this moment for the band’s direction.
The reunion also signifies a broader change in the way Chvrches plans to function moving forward, conceivably introducing a more sustainable model that supports individual creative endeavours alongside collaborative endeavours. Rather than demanding total commitment from all members, this evolved approach acknowledges the artistic advantages of letting members develop solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her experience with Vicious Creature appears to have offered essential insight and revitalised passion for Chvrches’ signature style. As the group keeps working on their new album, fans can anticipate a project informed by both the band’s characteristic electronic style and the deeper self-knowledge each member has cultivated during their spell away.
- The latest album represents Chvrches’ debut full-length offering since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo work informed her artistic vision for the band’s forthcoming album
- The group has yet to reveal an official release date for their next album
