Chvrches have performed live once again for the first time in nearly three years, marking a significant moment for the Scottish synth-pop trio. The band took to the stage 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 presented the track to the crowd, acknowledging the milestone with humour and sincerity, saying: “I promise I’m not just inside watching telly all the time, we have been making a record.”
A Triumphant Reunion Following Decades Away
The Royal Albert Hall concert 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, especially for frontwoman Lauren Mayberry, who announced her departure in 2023 to pursue a solo career. Despite this change, the comeback demonstrates that the group’s artistic collaboration remains intact and valued. The personal feel of the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert offered an perfect venue for such a significant return, allowing the band to engage with their audience in a renowned London location.
Mayberry’s solo work have clearly enhanced her artistic perspective and shaped the band’s new direction. She unveiled her debut solo album, Vicious Creature, in December 2024, with a comprehensive tour throughout 2025. Speaking to NME about her choice to pursue solo work, she noted that specific songwriting ideas demanded a personal voice rather than the group approach of Chvrches. This distinction has evidently enabled her to explore artistic ground that might not fit within the band’s established sound, ultimately improving the work she brings back 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 confirmed fresh material in development last summer
Revealing ‘Conman’ to a Captive Audience
The Instant of Disclosure
The release of “Conman” marked a watershed moment for Chvrches, giving loyal supporters their first glimpse of the band’s creative evolution after their lengthy absence. Mayberry’s honest words to the Royal Albert Hall audience achieved an ideal equilibrium between modest self-critique and real anticipation, acknowledging the lengthy gap between recorded releases whilst heightening expectation for what lay ahead. Her declaration that the band had genuinely remained active during their time away—rather than just stepping back from public life—offered comfort to fans who had been uncertain about the group’s future trajectory and dedication to fresh releases.
The choice to premiere “Conman” at such a prestigious charitable event lent considerable gravitas to the moment. By choosing the Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert as the venue for unveiling fresh material, Chvrches showed their commitment to use their profile for meaningful causes whilst simultaneously rewarding the dedicated fanbase who had remained loyal through years of uncertainty. Mayberry’s humble request for the audience’s patience and kindness, given that the band had not previously played the track before a paying crowd, created an intimate atmosphere that transcended the grandeur of the historic venue and fostered genuine rapport between performers and spectators.
The release of “Conman” suggests that Chvrches’ forthcoming record will likely demonstrate the creative development and experimentation that Mayberry explored during her solo project. Though the band has remained characteristically tight-lipped about timeline details and further information concerning the latest project, the availability of recorded songs suggests that fans are unlikely to experience an lengthy delay for a complete album. The track’s premiere at such a prestigious occasion indicates the band’s belief in their fresh approach and their desire to progress with this next chapter, blending the shared sound Chvrches have cultivated with the new viewpoints their individual artists have gained during their break from the band.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo career and return
Lauren Mayberry’s choice to leave Chvrches in 2023 marked a significant juncture in her creative trajectory, one that ultimately led to a greater insight of her own artistic identity. The singer from Scotland’s solo album, Vicious Creature, released in December 2024, provided a transparent view into her artistry outside of the collective framework of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she performed widely in support of the solo project, engaging with audiences on a deeper, more personal basis and cementing her status as a accomplished solo musician in her own right. This period of independence proved creatively essential, letting her delve into subject matter and lyrical ground that would not have gained authentic voice within Chvrches’ defined sound.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall signified considerably more than a simple reintegration into the band; it reflected a reconciliation between Mayberry’s personal creative aspirations and her lasting bond to Chvrches’ collective vision. Rather than regarding her solo venture as a turning away 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 solo seems to have revitalised her methodology to songwriting and performance, delivering fresh vitality and insight to the band’s shared projects. Her openness to coming back to Chvrches with this newly acquired self-assurance points to a more balanced, fulfilled creative partnership in the future.
Uncovering Her Own Voice
When discussing her solo work with NME, Mayberry disclosed that specific lyrical ideas and artistic directions could not easily fit within Chvrches’ established framework. She explained that some material required a single storytelling perspective rather than the collective perspective that characterises the band’s output. This distinction 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 served as a vital channel for self-expression that went beyond the band’s collaborative boundaries.
Mayberry’s explanation of this creative distinction underscores a common challenge experienced by participants in successful groups: the balance between individual artistic vision and shared identity. By recognising that she remains the narrator within Chvrches whilst at the same time needing space to speak from a wholly personal viewpoint, Mayberry demonstrated sophisticated self-awareness about her place within the band. Her solo project wasn’t an act of rebellion but rather a enriching pursuit that eventually strengthens her involvement in Chvrches. This maturation in her artistic thinking implies that the forthcoming release will benefit from the assurance and conviction she has developed through her spell away.
What The Future Holds for the Scottish Synth-Pop Icons
Whilst Chvrches have provided tantalising glimpses of their forthcoming record, the band remains notably tight-lipped about rollout plans and extra tracks. The Royal Albert Hall performance served as a meticulously planned reintroduction, indicating to fans and industry observers alike that the group’s creative momentum remains fully functional. Lauren Mayberry’s honest comments to the audience—acknowledging both the anxiety about their new direction and the genuine excitement of sharing unfinished tracks—struck a genuinely relatable quality that resonated with attendees. The deliberate choice to debut “Conman” at such a high-profile, philanthropic venue underscored the importance of this moment for the band’s trajectory.
The reunion also represents a broader change in the way Chvrches plans to function moving forward, possibly creating a more enduring approach that supports individual personal projects alongside joint ventures. Rather than demanding total commitment from all members, this refined method acknowledges the artistic advantages of allowing band members to explore solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her involvement with Vicious Creature appears to have given essential insight and revitalised passion for Chvrches’ characteristic aesthetic. As the group keeps working on their new album, fans can look forward to a project informed by both the band’s signature electronic sensibilities and the greater personal understanding each member has developed during their spell away.
- The new album marks Chvrches’ debut full-length offering since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo work informed her creative perspective for the band’s forthcoming album
- The group has yet to reveal an confirmed launch date for their next album
