Chvrches have made their comeback on stage for the first time in nearly three years, marking a notable milestone 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 preview 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 Homecoming Following Decades Apart
The Royal Albert Hall performance marked a triumphant return for Chvrches, whose last album, Screen Violence, was released in 2021. The years in between 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 reunion demonstrates that the group’s creative partnership remains strong and appreciated. The personal feel of the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert provided an ideal setting for such a meaningful comeback, allowing the band to engage with their audience in a renowned London location.
Mayberry’s individual projects have clearly enriched her artistic perspective and contributed to the band’s evolving sound. She released her first solo record, 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 required a individual perspective rather than the collective narrative of Chvrches. This distinction has evidently enabled her to venture into creative territory that wouldn’t suit within the band’s established sound, ultimately strengthening the material she contributes to the group.
- Last album Screen Violence released in 2021
- Mayberry pursued solo career beginning in 2023
- Solo LP Vicious Creature released December 2024
- Band announced fresh material being worked on during summer
Uncovering ‘Conman’ to a Trapped Audience
The Moment of Revelation
The unveiling of “Conman” marked a pivotal point for Chvrches, offering loyal supporters their opening view of the band’s creative evolution following their prolonged break. Mayberry’s candid address to the Royal Albert Hall crowd achieved an ideal equilibrium between self-deprecation and authentic enthusiasm, acknowledging the prolonged interval between full-length projects whilst building anticipation for the future. Her declaration that the band had indeed been productive during their time away—rather than simply retreating from the public eye—offered comfort to supporters who had questioned about the group’s future trajectory and commitment to new material.
The decision to premiere “Conman” at such a prestigious charitable event lent considerable gravitas to the moment. By choosing the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert as the platform for unveiling fresh material, Chvrches showed their commitment to use their profile for important charitable work whilst simultaneously rewarding the dedicated fanbase who had stayed committed through years of uncertainty. Mayberry’s modest appeal for the audience’s patience and kindness, given that the band had not previously played the track before a live audience, created an personal ambiance 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 probably demonstrate the artistic growth and creative exploration that Mayberry investigated during her solo project. Though the band has remained characteristically secretive about timeline details and other specifics about the latest project, the availability of recorded songs suggests that fans are unlikely to experience an prolonged period for a full project. The song’s debut at such a high-profile event reflects the band’s confidence in their fresh approach and their desire to progress with this new phase, merging the collective identity Chvrches have developed with the new viewpoints their members have developed during their period of separation.
Lauren Mayberry’s solo journey and return
Lauren Mayberry’s decision to step away from Chvrches in 2023 constituted a turning point in her creative trajectory, one that ultimately led to a deeper understanding of her own artistic identity. The singer from Scotland’s solo album, Vicious Creature, launched in December 2024, offered a candid window into her artistry separate from the band format of the synth-pop group. Throughout 2025, she travelled extensively in promotion of the solo project, reconnecting with audiences on a more intimate, personal level and positioning herself as a formidable solo artist in her own right. This time of self-direction became artistically vital, enabling her to investigate themes and lyrical territories that would not have gained natural expression within Chvrches’ established aesthetic.
The reunion at the Royal Albert Hall signified considerably more than a simple reintegration into the band; it symbolised a resolution of tensions between Mayberry’s solo artistic goals and her enduring connection to Chvrches’ collective vision. Rather than viewing her solo venture as a departure or rejection of the group, Mayberry has framed it as a necessary evolution that has deepened her comprehension of herself as an artist. The experience of creating and delivering Vicious Creature solo evidently has reinvigorated her approach 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 indicates a more balanced, fulfilled creative partnership moving forward.
Discovering Her Own Voice
When talking about her solo work with NME, Mayberry revealed that specific lyrical ideas and creative approaches simply could not be accommodated within Chvrches’ existing structure. She explained that some material demanded a single storytelling perspective rather than the shared viewpoint that defines the band’s output. This difference proved crucial to her artistic development, 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 articulation of this artistic differentiation underscores a typical difficulty experienced by members of thriving collectives: the tension between personal creative expression and shared identity. By accepting that she continues as the voice within Chvrches whilst at the same time requiring the opportunity to communicate a deeply individual standpoint, Mayberry displayed nuanced understanding about her role within the band. Her independent work wasn’t an act of rebellion but rather a enriching pursuit that ultimately enhances her involvement in Chvrches. This growth in her artistic thinking indicates that the new album will profit from the clarity and confidence she has developed through her period apart.
What The Future Holds for the Scottish Synth-Pop Icons
Whilst Chvrches have shared tantalising previews of their forthcoming record, the band remains notably tight-lipped about rollout plans and extra tracks. The Royal Albert Hall performance served as a carefully orchestrated reintroduction, indicating to fans and industry observers alike that the group’s creative momentum remains actively engaged. Lauren Mayberry’s honest comments to the audience—acknowledging both the concerns regarding their fresh approach and the real anticipation 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 weight of this moment for the band’s trajectory.
The reunion also represents a broader shift in how Chvrches intends to operate moving forward, potentially establishing a more sustainable model that supports individual personal projects alongside joint ventures. Rather than insisting on full involvement from all members, this developed strategy recognises the artistic advantages of allowing band members to explore solo projects. For Mayberry specifically, her involvement with Vicious Creature appears to have offered essential understanding and fresh energy for Chvrches’ characteristic aesthetic. As the group continues developing their new album, fans can anticipate a project informed by both the band’s distinctive sonic approach and the deeper self-knowledge each member has cultivated during their spell away.
- The latest album marks Chvrches’ first full-length project since 2021’s Screen Violence
- Lauren Mayberry’s solo endeavours informed her creative perspective for the band’s forthcoming album
- The group has not yet announced an official release date for their next album
