The Vamps are one of those rare pop-rock bands where, even after several years of attending gigs, you always get something new.
Upon entering the cherry blossom-covered O2 Academy Bournemouth, I was instantly transfixed on the work that had been put into the theming of the show. While not going overboard with the aesthetic quality, there was enough to intrigue you into the atmosphere that was yet to come.
The supporting acts, while less intriguing than the main act themselves, were energetic enough to keep the audience on their feet. First performer Lauran Hibberd set the tone for the evening with a feminine yet punky set, complete with a peppy tone similar to that of American songstress Mars Argo.
Second act JC Stewart got the crowd singing along with his acoustic driven performance, almost as the Northern Irish co-writer of Lewis Capaldi’s debut album "Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent" sang of love and loss. A cover of Cyndi Lauper’s hit “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” worked a treat with the audience.
Then the time came. Opening number “Married in Vegas” transcended the emotion of euphoria I first felt when hearing the song last year, with The Vamps' lead singer Bradley Will Simpson’s raspy vocals complementing the guitar-led track wonderfully well.
A highlight of the night was the return of single “Cheater”, from the often overlooked second album “Wake Up” – for me, their magnum opus – which was met with enthusiastic cheers from the audience. Similarly, whilst the electronic-sounding harmonies may sound better recorded, memorable B-side “Part of Me” offered a mellow break from the alternative tunes.
As The Vamps break away from former label EMI Records, only time will tell what the future holds for them. But even if it’s a while until we see the results, at least we have the past to look back on.
Rating: 4/5
Click here to listen to “Would You”, from the “Cherry Blossom” album (Source - The Vamps YouTube channel):
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