The Vampire Lestat Project

The Vampire Lestat

Lestat turns autobiography, music, and performance into a deliberate public experiment that challenges the hidden vampire world.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Band’s Rehearsal A Band’s Rehearsal from "The Vampire Lestat". A Band’s Rehearsal Lestat hears Satan’s Night Out practicing near his burial place and is captivated by the band’s sound.

A Band’s Rehearsal from "The Vampire Lestat". A Band’s Rehearsal Lestat hears Satan’s Night Out practicing near his burial place and is captivated by the band’s sound.

A Band’s Rehearsal Lestat hears Satan’s Night Out practicing near his burial place and is captivated by the band’s sound. Their theatrical energy seems to offer a modern form for his own restless imagination. Recruitment He reveals himself as a vampire, though the musicians assume he is adopting a stage persona. He promises success and begins organizing a professional project. Significance The band gives Lestat a human collaboration through which he can reenter public life.

The Autobiography Plan The Autobiography Plan from "The Vampire Lestat". The Autobiography Plan When the musicians show Lestat Interview with the Vampire, he discovers that Louis has publicly narrated vampire history.

The Autobiography Plan from "The Vampire Lestat". The Autobiography Plan When the musicians show Lestat Interview with the Vampire, he discovers that Louis has publicly narrated vampire history.

The Autobiography Plan When the musicians show Lestat Interview with the Vampire, he discovers that Louis has publicly narrated vampire history. The book makes Lestat feel exposed, misrepresented, and newly compelled to answer. A Deliberate Counterstory He hires directors and producers and plans linked songs, videos, and an autobiography. Rather than simply rebut Louis, he intends to draw other immortals into the open. Significance The project turns private grievance into a public challenge with consequences for both mortals and vampires.

Warnings by Telephone Warnings by Telephone from "The Vampire Lestat". Warnings by Telephone As the project approaches release, unknown vampires obtain the band’s unlisted number and leave threats.

Warnings by Telephone from "The Vampire Lestat". Warnings by Telephone As the project approaches release, unknown vampires obtain the band’s unlisted number and leave threats.

Warnings by Telephone As the project approaches release, unknown vampires obtain the band’s unlisted number and leave threats. Their messages warn Lestat to stop and demand that he reveal himself. Concealment Under Pressure Lestat moves the musicians to a guarded house in Carmel Valley and limits knowledge of their location. The warnings confirm that the campaign has reached vampire society. Significance The threats make the artistic project a real confrontation, but increase Lestat’s resolve to perform.

The Cow Palace Concert The Cow Palace Concert from "The Vampire Lestat". The Cow Palace Concert Lestat takes the stage before a vast, feverish crowd.

The Cow Palace Concert Lestat takes the stage before a vast, feverish crowd. The performance fuses rock spectacle with the imagery of vampires, turning his old theatrical ambition into a mass event. A Dangerous Revelation He openly calls himself a vampire and invites the audience to imagine the truth behind the performance. Mortals read the spectacle as art, while real vampires watch from the crowd. Significance The concert fulfills Lestat’s desire for visibility and makes the danger to his companions immediate.

The Attack and Escape The Attack and Escape from "The Vampire Lestat". The Attack and Escape Immortal assailants converge on the vehicles outside the concert venue, turning the aftermath into a physical assault.

The Attack and Escape from "The Vampire Lestat". The Attack and Escape Immortal assailants converge on the vehicles outside the concert venue, turning the aftermath into a physical assault.

The Attack and Escape Immortal assailants converge on the vehicles outside the concert venue, turning the aftermath into a physical assault. Lestat, Louis, and Gabrielle struggle to escape amid panicked mortals. A Mysterious Intervention Several attackers suddenly burn, though neither Lestat nor Louis caused it. Gabrielle drives them away as the surviving enemies withdraw. Significance The attack proves that Lestat’s publicity has provoked a dangerous response and hints that Akasha has awakened.

1984, shortly after Lestat rises

After Lestat reads Interview with the Vampire

The week before the album’s release

1985, the night of the San Francisco show

Immediately after the Cow Palace concert