Vampire Gaga

Last night at the [Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre], Sara Schaefer celebrated the one year anniversary of her sketch and music video show, [Video Gaga](http://video-gaga.blogspot.com/). The program featured a slew of humorous musical performers, but the night’s scene-stealer was [Vampire Weekend](http://www.vampireweekend.com/), a Brooklyn-based quartet of clean-cut dudes. The guys play punchy, melodic tunes with a sharp, staccato style, not unlike a cleaner version of 1970s New York punk, but with world music-y drums. And boat shoes. And button-down shirts.

Lead singer/guitarist Ezra Koenig injects a bit of prep into the hipster step, and his capabilities as a vocalist are as refreshing as his wardrobe. Koenig’s vocal holds up in the live setting, and he doesn’t even flinch when jumping to higher ranges. There’s a lot of precision in Vampire Weekend’s playing, and there has to be, since the amount of space in the music makes each instrument come through loud and clear. But it’s not precise and anal; it’s just precise in a “We actually practice” sort of way.

The crowd seemed to appreciate the group’s efforts. The ladies especially: All of the female performers in the show made some flirtatious comment toward the group, and even the rowdy troupe of moms in the front row visiting from one of the Carolinas shot them some eyes. “Now you can tell all your families down south that you saw an indie band,” Schaefer said to the moms. “You’re all cool now.”

Photo courtesy of [subinev].