Vampire Weekend played Bowery (pics), #1 on Billboard chart

January 20, 2010

New York band Vampire Weekend sees its sophomore set “Contra” debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 124,000 copies sold according to Nielsen SoundScan. The set is only the 12th independently distributed album to top the Billboard 200 chart since SoundScan began powering the list in May of 1991.
Vampire Weekend not only celebrates its first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, but the New York band also notches its best sales week yet. The quartet’s previous best sales frame was earned when its self-titled first album opened with 28,000 copies in its opening week. That set debuted and peaked at No. 17 on the chart and has since sold 498,000.

“Contra” also is the second independently-distributed album to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in the past year. It is distributed by Alternative Distribution Alliance and marks the first indie set to top the tally since Pearl Jam’s self-released “Backspacer” debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated Oct. 10, 2009. [Billboard]

They knew there was a chance, but Vampire Weekend got the definitive news last night (Tuesday, 1/19) at Bowery Ballroom where they were to play their hometown of NYC for the third night in a row. Sunday was at United Palace. Monday was at Webster Hall. More pictures from Tuesday below…