Chvrches have returned to the stage for the first instance after nearly three years, marking a important occasion 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 included Garbage, My Bloody Valentine, and Elbow. During their set, the group unveiled a brand new track titled “Conman,” giving the audience an exclusive first hearing 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 Joyful Reunion Following Decades Apart
The Royal Albert Hall show marked a successful comeback 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 revealed she was leaving in 2023 to pursue a solo career. Despite this development, the reunion demonstrates that the group’s creative partnership remains strong and appreciated. The intimate nature of the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert provided an perfect venue for such a meaningful comeback, allowing the band to engage with their audience in a prestigious London venue.
Mayberry’s solo work have clearly enriched her artistic vision and shaped the band’s new direction. She released her debut solo album, Vicious Creature, in December 2024, followed by a full touring schedule across 2025. In an interview with NME about her choice to pursue solo work, she noted that specific songwriting ideas required a individual perspective rather than the group approach of Chvrches. This separation has clearly enabled her to explore creative territory that wouldn’t suit inside the band’s established sound, ultimately improving the work she brings back to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence came out in 2021
- Mayberry launched solo project starting in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature released December 2024
- Band confirmed new music in development last summer
Uncovering ‘Conman’ to a Captive Audience
The Moment of Revelation
The unveiling of “Conman” represented a watershed moment for Chvrches, offering dedicated listeners their opening view of the ensemble’s creative progression after their lengthy absence. Mayberry’s honest words to the Royal Albert Hall crowd maintained an excellent balance between self-deprecation and real anticipation, acknowledging the extended period between recorded releases whilst building anticipation for what lay ahead. Her assurance that the band had indeed been productive during their time away—rather than merely withdrawing from public life—offered comfort to devotees who had questioned about the group’s future trajectory and dedication to fresh releases.
The decision to premiere “Conman” at such a prominent philanthropic event added significant weight to the moment. By selecting the Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert as the venue for unveiling fresh material, Chvrches showed their commitment to use their platform for meaningful causes whilst also rewarding the dedicated fanbase who had remained loyal through prolonged periods of doubt. Mayberry’s humble request for the crowd’s understanding and compassion, given that the band had not previously played the track before a paying crowd, created an personal ambiance that went beyond the grandeur of the historic venue and fostered genuine connection between performers and spectators.
The release of “Conman” indicates that Chvrches’ new release will likely showcase the musical evolution and experimentation that Mayberry pursued during her solo project. Though the band has stayed notably reserved about release timelines and additional details about the new album, the presence of completed tracks indicates that fans are unlikely to experience an lengthy delay for a full project. The single’s launch at an event of this calibre indicates the band’s faith in their fresh approach and their desire to progress with this new phase, blending the shared sound Chvrches have developed with the innovative ideas their individual artists have gained during their time apart.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo journey and comeback
Lauren Mayberry’s choice to leave Chvrches in 2023 represented a turning point in her artistic career, one that eventually resulted in a more profound comprehension of her own creative expression. The Scottish singer’s solo album, Vicious Creature, came out in December 2024, delivered a transparent view into her artistic output outside of the group structure of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she performed widely in support of the solo project, engaging with audiences on a more intimate, personal level and cementing her status as a accomplished solo musician in her own right. This time of self-direction proved creatively essential, allowing her to explore themes and lyrical territories that could not have achieved organic articulation within Chvrches’ established aesthetic.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall signified considerably more than a simple reintegration into the band; it reflected a resolution of tensions between Mayberry’s personal creative aspirations and her sustained commitment to Chvrches’ unified creative purpose. Rather than viewing her solo venture as a departure or rejection of the group, Mayberry has described it as a necessary evolution that has deepened her comprehension of herself as an artist. The experience of writing and presenting Vicious Creature solo evidently has refreshed her method to musical creation and stage work, delivering fresh vitality and vision to the band’s collaborative efforts. Her willingness to return to Chvrches with this newfound confidence points to a more balanced, fulfilled creative partnership going ahead.
Discovering Her Own Voice
When discussing her solo work with NME, Mayberry revealed that specific lyrical ideas and creative approaches could not easily fit within Chvrches’ established framework. She explained that some material required a singular narrative voice rather than the collective perspective that defines the band’s output. This distinction proved crucial to her artistic development, as it allowed her to explore emotional depth, lived experiences, and subject matter that might have felt incongruous with Chvrches’ musical character. The solo album served as a necessary outlet for self-expression that transcended the band’s collective framework.
Mayberry’s expression of this artistic differentiation highlights a typical difficulty experienced by participants in accomplished ensembles: the conflict between individual artistic vision and collective identity. By accepting that she remains the storyteller within Chvrches whilst simultaneously requiring space to speak from a purely personal viewpoint, Mayberry demonstrated mature insight about her role within the band. Her solo project was not an defiant move but rather a enriching pursuit that ultimately improves her work with Chvrches. This growth in her musical perspective implies that the new album will gain from the certainty and self-belief she has developed through her period apart.
What Lies Ahead for the Scottish Synth-Pop Icons
Whilst Chvrches have shared tantalising previews of their forthcoming record, the band remains characteristically tight-lipped about rollout plans and extra tracks. The Royal Albert Hall performance served as a strategically designed reintroduction, signalling to fans and music critics alike that the group’s creative momentum remains very much operational. Lauren Mayberry’s honest comments to the audience—acknowledging both the nerves surrounding their evolving sound and the authentic enthusiasm of sharing unfinished tracks—struck a distinctly personal note that resonated with attendees. The intentional decision to debut “Conman” at such a esteemed, cause-driven venue underscored the weight of this moment for the band’s trajectory.
The reunion also reflects a broader shift in how Chvrches aims to work moving forward, potentially establishing a more enduring approach that supports individual personal projects alongside joint ventures. Rather than demanding total commitment from all members, this refined method recognises the creative benefits of enabling musicians to pursue solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her involvement with Vicious Creature appears to have provided essential understanding and fresh energy for Chvrches’ signature style. As the group continues developing their new album, fans can anticipate a project shaped by both the band’s characteristic electronic style and the deeper self-knowledge each member has developed during their period separated.
- The new album represents Chvrches’ first full-length project since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo work shaped her artistic vision for the band’s upcoming record
- The group has yet to reveal an official release date for their forthcoming release
