Vampire Weekend Covers a Twiddle Song

Vampire Weekend has solidified its standing within the jam band community with a notable performance that took place on May 27, 2025, in Essex Junction, Vermont, during their Only God Was Above Us Tour. This concert was characterized by a distinctive approach to classic jam band dynamics, as they incorporated fan-requested cover songs into their encore. This segment was an innovative one, allowing the band to respond to a wide array of musical requests from its audience. Among these was a brief, albeit unscripted, rendition of Twiddle's piece “Jamflowman,” particularly significant given the regional popularity of Twiddle in Vermont.

Frontman Ezra Koenig has a history of engaging deeply with this song, having analyzed it in 2019 during his Time Crisis radio show. He noted that the straightforward earnestness of “Jamflowman” might irk jam purists, despite its reflection on typical jam band culture. This theoretical stance was illustrated when Vampire Weekend, during the concert, attempted to cover the song, only to acknowledge, “We should work on that. That would be a sick cover,” providing a shoutout to Twiddle’s guitarist Mihali Savoulidis. Their attempt linked back to Vampire Weekend’s ongoing narrative with Twiddle, as the band nearly collaborated on the Father Of The Bride Tour before the pandemic scrapped those plans.

The jam band's influence in Vampire Weekend's performance is evident as the band nimbly navigated through a medley of requests. The audience was taken on a musical exploration that skipped between different eras and styles. From tapping into the Paul Simon classics like “Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes” morphing into “You Can Call Me Al,” to Fun.'s youthful anthem “We Are Young,” the concert was a testament to Vampire Weekend's adaptive and far-reaching musical prowess. Slipping into System of a Down’s “Chop Suey!,” Talking Heads’ classic “Psycho Killer,” as well as venturing through the dramatic soundscapes of Evanescence's “Bring Me to Life,” provided a delightful blend of unexpected song choices, further enriched by Twiddle’s “Jamflowman.”

Moreover, the setlist further emphasized their jam band affinities, showcasing tunes like the Grateful Dead’s “Fire On The Mountain,” and sending waves through the crowd with the nostalgic beats of AC/DC's “Thunderstruck” along with The Police’s rhythmic “Walking on the Moon.” Closing this eclectic musical odyssey with the cowboy narrative of Marty Robbins’ “El Paso” alongside their original track “Walcott,” Vampire Weekend clearly celebrated its versatility and reverence for the rich spectrum of music.

This performance was more than just a concert—it was a window into Vampire Weekend's evolving narrative within the indie and jam band scene. The band has melded aspects of homage and innovation by integrating longstanding hits from various genres, propelling their music through new and diverse lenses. Their acknowledgment and attempt at songs like Twiddle's “Jamflowman” during this concert further cement their open-minded approach and newfound connection with the broader jam community.

Vampire Weekend's inclination towards collaboration with notable acts within the jam scene was no accident. In addition to their proclivity for impromptu renditions and collaborations, they are no strangers to jam traditions, as evidenced by past endeavors that teamed them up with Mike Gordon of Phish and allowed joint stage time with Goose. Such connections amplify their musical identity, integrating more freedom, improvisation, and longevity typical of jam bands.

From Vermont, Vampire Weekend’s Only God Was Above Us Tour continues, a journey through the northeastern U.S. that will see their resonant anthems linger until the end of September. This tour, with its embrace of spontaneous jam and cover sessions, marks a new chapter for the band, as they incorporate broader jam culture influences into their ever-evolving tapestry of sound. As fans eagerly await the surprises waiting at each stop, Vampire Weekend remains at the forefront of meshing diverse musical worlds into thrilling live performances.