Chvrches have made their comeback on stage for the first instance after 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 featured Garbage, My Bloody Valentine, and Elbow. During their set, the group unveiled a brand new track titled “Conman,” giving the audience an exclusive first listen to material from their upcoming album. Singer Lauren Mayberry introduced the song to the crowd, acknowledging the milestone with wit and honesty, saying: “I promise I’m not just inside watching telly all the time, we have been making a record.”
A Successful Reunion Following Decades Apart
The Royal Albert Hall concert marked a triumphant return for Chvrches, whose last album, Screen Violence, was released in 2021. The years in between saw significant changes within the band, particularly for frontwoman Lauren Mayberry, who revealed she was leaving in 2023 to focus on solo work. Despite this development, the reunion demonstrates that the group’s artistic collaboration remains strong and appreciated. The personal feel 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 perspective and contributed to the band’s new direction. She unveiled her first solo record, 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 explained that specific songwriting ideas required a individual perspective rather than the collective narrative of Chvrches. This separation has clearly allowed her to venture into artistic ground that might not fit within the band’s signature style, in turn improving the work she contributes to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence came out in 2021
- Mayberry launched solo career starting in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature released December 2024
- Band confirmed new music being worked on last summer
Exposing ‘Conman’ to a Trapped Audience
The Point of Discovery
The introduction of “Conman” constituted a pivotal point for Chvrches, giving dedicated listeners their opening view of the ensemble’s creative progression after their lengthy absence. Mayberry’s candid address to the Royal Albert Hall gathering struck a perfect balance between self-deprecation and real anticipation, acknowledging the prolonged interval 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 just stepping back from public visibility—gave confidence to fans who had wondered about the group’s future trajectory and commitment to new material.
The decision 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 platform for introducing new songs, Chvrches demonstrated their commitment to use their platform for meaningful causes whilst simultaneously rewarding the dedicated fanbase who had remained loyal through prolonged periods of doubt. Mayberry’s modest appeal for the audience’s patience and kindness, 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” suggests that Chvrches’ new release will likely reflect the creative development and experimentation that Mayberry investigated during her independent work. Though the band has remained characteristically secretive about launch schedules and further information about the latest project, the presence of completed tracks indicates that fans may not face an prolonged period for a finished work. The track’s premiere at such a prestigious occasion demonstrates the band’s faith in their evolving sound and their desire to progress with this upcoming era, combining the collective identity Chvrches have built with the innovative ideas their band members have explored during their break from the band.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo journey and return
Lauren Mayberry’s move to depart from Chvrches in 2023 represented a turning point in her professional journey, one that finally brought about a more profound comprehension of her own artistic identity. The Scottish singer’s solo album, Vicious Creature, came out in December 2024, delivered a candid window into her artistry separate from the group structure of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she performed widely in backing the solo project, rebuilding relationships with audiences on a closer, more individual footing and positioning herself as a accomplished solo musician in her own right. This stretch of autonomy proved creatively essential, enabling her to investigate themes and lyrical territories that could not have achieved natural expression within Chvrches’ recognised style.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall signified considerably more than a simple return to the band; it reflected a resolution of tensions between Mayberry’s solo artistic goals and her lasting bond to Chvrches’ collective vision. Rather than regarding her solo venture as a departure or rejection of the group, Mayberry has framed it as a necessary evolution that has enriched her understanding of herself as an artist. The experience of creating and delivering Vicious Creature on her own seems to have revitalised her methodology to songwriting and performance, bringing renewed energy and perspective to the band’s joint creative work. Her openness to coming back to Chvrches with this newly acquired self-assurance suggests a greater equilibrium and satisfaction in their artistic collaboration in the future.
Uncovering Her Own Voice
When discussing her solo work with NME, Mayberry disclosed that specific lyrical ideas and creative approaches could not easily fit within Chvrches’ existing structure. She explained that some material required a singular narrative voice rather than the shared viewpoint that defines the band’s output. This difference proved crucial to her creative growth, as it enabled her to examine emotional depth, lived experiences, and subject matter that might have felt at odds with Chvrches’ sonic identity. The solo album served as a necessary outlet for personal creativity that went beyond the band’s collective framework.
Mayberry’s explanation of this creative distinction highlights a common challenge encountered by participants in accomplished ensembles: the conflict between individual artistic vision and collective identity. By acknowledging that she remains the storyteller within Chvrches whilst concurrently requiring room to communicate a deeply individual viewpoint, Mayberry demonstrated mature insight about her place within the band. Her individual endeavour wasn’t an act of rebellion but rather a complementary exploration that eventually strengthens her contributions to Chvrches. This maturation in her musical perspective suggests that the upcoming record will gain from the assurance and conviction she has developed through her spell away.
What Lies Ahead for the Scottish Synth-Pop Icons
Whilst Chvrches have provided tantalising insights of their upcoming album, the band remains typically tight-lipped about release timelines and additional material. The Royal Albert Hall performance served as a meticulously planned reintroduction, communicating to fans and sector commentators alike that the group’s creative engine remains fully functional. Lauren Mayberry’s candid remarks to the audience—acknowledging both the anxiety about their fresh approach and the authentic enthusiasm of sharing unfinished tracks—struck a distinctly personal note that connected with attendees. The intentional decision to debut “Conman” at such a high-profile, philanthropic venue underscored the weight of this moment for the band’s evolution.
The reunion also reflects a broader change in the way Chvrches aims to work moving forward, possibly creating a more sustainable model that accommodates individual artistic pursuits alongside joint ventures. Rather than demanding total commitment from all members, this developed strategy recognises the creative benefits of enabling musicians to pursue solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her involvement with Vicious Creature appears to have provided essential perspective and renewed enthusiasm for Chvrches’ signature style. As the group keeps working on 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 cultivated during their period separated.
- The latest album represents Chvrches’ debut full-length offering since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo work shaped her artistic vision for the band’s upcoming record
- The group has not yet announced an official release date for their forthcoming release
