The Vaccines
My first gig back after a brief interlude on my behalf and what a welcome back to the Norwich music scene. The Vaccines. Indie rock royalty from West London who returned to Norwich nine years after their debut in the LCR. I started my evening with high hopes from a band so well integrated into the indie scene and so, pint in hand, I joined other fans on the sticky floors of the packed LCR to settle in for a night of great tunes.
The band sauntered onto stage to the sound of ‘Live and let die’, a bold move and clearly the marker of a band who back their stage presence. Twinges of a bittersweet, unfulfilled American Dream taint the melodies of the band’s newest album, Pick Up Full of Pink Carnations. The album name, reminiscent of the wistful lyricism of Don McLean’s American Pie, seems reflective of the departure of their original guitarist. Perhaps it’s this elimination that’s shed new light on the band’s musical tone. Enriched with nostalgia and longing, the album explores the familiar feeling of trawling through past relationships and interactions with others, in an attempt to find a nuanced perspective that perhaps wasn’t before obvious.
Justin Young. As cool as he’s always been, a timeless performer whose ability to connect with the crowd was palpable. Dressed up to the nines in his double denim attire, with shades that offered an effortless air of cool, to his charismatic confidence and magnetic demeanor, Young proved yet again that he is a natural born frontman. Few possess the easy performative allure that Young oozes, reminding us why the Vaccine’s remain such an ageless indie band.
It’s not like The Vaccines particularly offer anything new or profound to the indie rock landscape, yet perhaps this has been the key to their success all along. Well versed in the art of careless indie music, the band have stuck to what they know and delivered yet another great night of indie fun. Perhaps reflective of the intimate venue, but this performance felt personal, the marker of a successful gig in my opinion. If fans are able to leave feeling connected to the band, as though each song performed was directed to them, then the artist has succeeded in their aim. Young breezed around the stage with body language evocative of a lead singer who knows their ability to transmit infectious enthusiasm, transforming each song into a shared experience.
The Vaccines traversed their extensive discography with ease, giving a taste of their many years of catchy songs. From their poppier tunes from the new album, to firm fan favourites like ‘Post Break Up Sex’, it was clear that Norwich still loves The Vaccines. Another sold out gig to boast and onto many more, be sure to get your dose of The Vaccines.
