In 2014, The Vamps released their first full-length album Meet The Vamps. Immediately, the British pop band’s song “Somebody to You,” began charting worldwide alongside several other singles that were charting in the U.K. Since then, the band has released five studio albums, headlined multiple tours around the world and created their own record label, Steady Records.
Originally formed in 2012, The Vamps is fronted by lead vocalist and rhythmic guitarist Bradley Simpson, James Brittain-McVey (lead guitar), Connor Ball (bass guitar) and Tristan Evans (drums). The group first went number one on the U.K. albums chart in 2017 with their third studio album Night & Day (Night Edition). Their first two records, 2014’s Meet The Vamps and 2015’s Wake Up, both became certified gold in the U.K. Amidst such success, The Vamps even became the first band to headline London’s famed O2 Arena five years in a row.
Throughout 2022 and 2023, The Vamps performed across the globe for their “Greatest Hits Tour.” Now, they’re getting ready to head back on the road in the U.K. this September for their “Meet The Vamps Anniversary Tour.” As 2024 marks the ten year celebration of their first album, the tour will be a reflection of that, with the setlist including the entirety of Meet The Vamps and complemented by some fan favorites throughout. Gearing up for the new tour is proving to be an exciting time for the group, and they’re thinking about how this tour will differ from their others.
“The last tour was more of a 10-year celebration as a band, covering our entire journey,” Evans says. “This time, we’re focusing specifically on our first album, Meet The Vamps. We’re playing it from start to finish, including the deluxe tracks. It’s a way to honor the album that means so much to us and our fans.”
This tour and their celebration of their debut record is a means of excitement for the band, and they’re looking forward to revisiting many of their songs as they make their long-awaited live performance debuts. “A lot of the songs from the first album we’ve never played live before, so it will be really exciting to see how we do them now,” Simpson says. “The whole tour’s going to be fun and they’re the first shows that we’ve done in a year and a half at this point, so it’s going to be nice to get back on the road.”
After a decade of massive success and evolution as a band, reflection and nostalgia are strong sentiments felt among the group. The band recently re-recorded — or rather, “reVamped” — their hit single “Somebody To You,” to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the original release. Throughout the process of revisiting old material, they’ve described it as a “wave of nostalgia.” “That album, for us, was such a big moment in all of our lives, just in terms of the band and kickstarting our career, but also as just mates and all of the experiences that we went through together,” Simpson says. “All of that kind of comes flooding back to you when you start recording it.”
As they revisit the soundtrack to their early years — and the album that launched them into boyband pop stardom — The Vamps express nothing but gratitude when it comes to their relationships, their music and those who have supported them through the entire ride. “We’re very aware how insane it is that we’re still about,” Simpson says.“The fact that we still can play shows and release music and fans are still with us after 10 years – we’re aware of how insane that is and how lucky we are and we’re very grateful.”
Follow The Vamps: Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // YouTube // Spotify
If you want to read more from our August issue, read the full issue online.
Or you can purchase your physical copy, while supplies last.
