The Vamps
23rd September 2017
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Chris Zwaagdyk.
Tonight is the night that first crush dreams come true. The Vamps have arrived in town for their first ever (all ages) show and the predominantly female teenage audience are almost beside themselves with excitement. In many ways the sight of them is quite an uplifting experience; the unadulterated joy and energy they exude being qualities the music world have seen repeated throughout history since ‘Beatlemania’ first occurred.
The Vamps have often been lumped into the ‘boy band’ category genre, and to be fair they are indeed a bunch of boys who sing Pop; but unlike most groups in said genre, The Vamps are not the result of a contrived reality show nor a record companies brain storming session. Hailing from England and forming together through a combination of YouTube/Facebook and mutual friendships; these four lads kick started their career as a band by throwing up cover versions on YouTube. Thanks to the large legion of fans that they gathered through said videos they were soon on their way; their first original debut single ‘Can We Dance’ debuting at Number 2 on the UK singles chart in 2013.
Arriving on stage to screams that could quite possibly have shattered crystal glasses; the band looked surprisingly awake and upbeat for a group that flew in early this morning. Beaming at the crowd they jumped straight into ‘Wake Up’, the opening lines of which were almost inaudible thanks to the crowds enthusiastic singing.
Make no mistake, sure they maybe a pop band, but these boys know how to play; lead vocalist Brad Simpson heading the group and doing most of the talking this evening when he wasn’t impressing everyone with his rather full bodied voice and skills on the keyboards.
Following a rendition of the group’s first ever original song uploaded to YouTube in 2013 entitled ‘Wild Heart’, Simpson took to the mic to address the audience for the first time, that wonderfully charming British accent even getting a few of the Mums around the room to smile.
“Auckland you beautiful bunch of people”, the girls in the front row looking almost hysterical as Simpson aimed his pearly whites at them, “do any of you have any shades, if so put them on!” the band bursting into life again as they played a high energy version of ‘Shades On’ from their latest album Night & Day released in July this year. Interestingly enough this album is cited as a concept album, and marks their third studio album release in as many years.
Maybe it was due to the fact that despite it being a Saturday night, many in the audience still had bedtime curfews, but the band were fair chugging through their set list pausing only to allow Simpson to charm them all with his very English charisma and banter; the only slightly off-putting factor, his ‘wide boy dress style’ of the open shirt with large medallion hanging from a chain.
“New Zealand” Simpson chuckles to himself while once again beaming that well-manicured smile “It’s funny we like New Zealand – I have a question for you” the girls in the front row raise their intensity of the screams by at least three levels “will you be my girlfriend?” At this point, Simpson was in serious danger of losing his hearing with the giant wave of high octave ‘yeses’ that was flowing his way. What followed was a rather pleasant rendition of another song off their latest album, the ballad ‘Same to You’, which had to be restarted after Simpson mucked up the opening lines “We’re jetlagged, give us a break” he laughed; all being forgiven as he once again began to croon into the microphone from his seat behind the keyboards.
The rest of the evening continued in the same vein, Simpson pausing every so often to speak with the audience or to lead the cliché (albeit impressive!) left side of the room vs right sing offs.
The band consisting of Scottish born Connor Ball on a stunning LED highlighted bass, a rather tired and ‘over it’ looking James McVey on lead guitar and the blonde skin wielding Tristan Evans on drums could not be faulted for their playing. These guys are actual musicians, and they perform well; unfortunately one has to wonder if their talents are a little squandered on the generic pop fair that they play. Each song beginning to sound very much like the last as the night wears on.
Finishing their set with ‘Staying Up’ the band bid the crowd goodnight and wandered off stage, an awkward silence hovering over the room. Being the first concert for so many in attendance, they were unsure as to whether it was over or not looking around in panic at each other at the thought that the night had ended so quickly and without one of their biggest singles being played. A smattering of more seasoned concert goers came to the rescue with a few half-hearted attempts at an ‘encore’ chant, the band quickly returning to the stage before things became any more awkward.
‘Can we Dance’ unsurprisingly had one of the biggest sing a longs of the night, Simpson telling the audience that they would “happily stay here forever” but that this was their last song; ‘All Night’ (again from their latest release) closing the evening’s entertainment.
As parents quickly ushered young ones out the door, a group of teenage girls stood before the barrier and sang a beautiful version of the first verse of ‘God of Nations’ in Maori, to an empty stage.
A very Kiwi thank you for making those aforementioned dreams come true.
The Vamps:
Nomad:
Were you there at the Powerstation for this British pop rock performance? Or have you seen The Vamps perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- Intro / Wake Up
- Wild Heart
- Shades On
- Hands
- Somebody To You
- It’s A Lie
- Same To You (Acoustic)
- Sad Song (Acoustic)
- Oh Cecilia
- Middle Of The Night
- Staying Up
- Can We Dance (Encore)
- All Night (Encore)
If you enjoyed this content, please consider donating towards the running of Ambient Light, covering expenses and allowing us to expand the coverage you love by visiting our PressPatron page.