The Vaccines

When I walked in to see The Vaccines at Ally Pally in May 2012, I walked amongst well-to-do 20-somethings and 30-somethings and a few skinny jean, band-shirt youngsters. But as soon as the Ramones inspired riff of "No Hope" reverberates through the crowd and Justin Young chimes in with "I could bore you with the truth about an uneventful youth" all and sundry revert to their teenage selves and belt along with Young, head-shaking and air-guitarring along with impassioned abandon.
The Vaccines are the kind of band that bring you back to those awkward, hopeless years, no matter where you are in life. They remind you of your first love, and the love that you thought would be your last. 'Come of Age' perfectly encapsulates the raw grittiness of disparate youth but with the backdrop of 50's Rock and Roll and Ramones raw edge -a strange combination on paper but simply astounding and helplessly enjoyable live.
The setlist dips in and out of 'Come of Age' and The Vaccines' first album 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' going from "No Hope" to raucous "Wreckin Bar RaRaRa" then outsider anthem "Teenage Icon," critically acclaimed and fan favourite "If You Wanna" and finally amped up "Norgaard."
As the show closed and the 10,000 strong crowd spilled onto the streets, I saw people of all ages and differences sweaty and fervent with musical ecstasy. The Vaccines performed a truly amazing setlist that kept audiences singing and cheering for more and more. No doubt one of the best live bands to come out of London in the past few years.

A boisterous band du jour, there were many who doubted the lasting capabilities of West Londoners The Vaccines, featuring members of Jay Jay Pistolet, and the little bro of Tom Cowan (The Horrors). With early plaudits from Clash, Zane Lowe and NME for YouTube demo “If You Wanna...”, the foursome blew up, trebucheted into the mainstream for all to see. Their debut record What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? toyed with their hype, yet remained a brash anthology of youthful guitar-pop. Those that had doubts were being dissuaded; when the band released Come Of Age, which went straight to the number one spot, almost all naysayers had been converted. The band famously debuted their live prowess in a high profile, sold-out show at The Flowerpot, with members of Franz Ferdinand, The Maccabees, White Lies and Mumford & Sons in attendance. Not bad, eh?
The Vaccines have gone strength to strength with their shows, unleashing torrents of scuzzy rock onto crowds via pleasers such as “Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)”, “Nørgaard” and “Post Break-Up Sex”. These days, they're bolstered by a beefy back catalogue (“No Hope” and “Teenage Icon” shining particularly bright), legions of diehard fans and a raw, energising live show that'll scorch your eyebrows clean off. Recently(ish), they also played to a sell-out audience at the 10,000 capacity Alexandria Palace – not too shabby for a pack of unlikely pals after only a couple of years together.

Not many artists when given a 40 minute slot on the Reading main stage would even dream about playing a 15 song setlist. The Vaccines managed this feat with ease as they tore through almost every song from their first album along with some from the sophomore effort 'Come Of Age'.

Partly hyped along by the brilliant Reading Festival crowd the boys began with singles 'No Hope' and 'Wrecking Bar' as the crowd jumped and danced along with equal intensity. Their in your face style punk/rock is perfect for a festival set as each brilliant track moves along at rapid pace and keeps the audience hyped up throughout. The finale of 'Nørgaard' is just over a minute long yet the band play with such ferocity that you get the impression if it lasted any longer their instruments may spontaneously combust.

Frontman Justin Young staggers around the stage as if ambling drunkly around his local boozer yet he knows when his duties as frontman are required as he introduces fan favourites 'Post Breakup Sex' and 'If You Wanna'. The best moment though was a mass thousand strong singalong to 'Wetsuit' which sounded so brilliant in the summer sun.

Fourth time I have seen the Vaccines and this was another great show. The youngish crowd certainly contributed to a party atmosphere that seemed to inspire the band to show their full athleticism on stage throughout The setlist made up of tracks from all 4 of their albums including 5 tracks from the new release Combat Sports which already went down extremely well. Ill certainly go and see them again, one of the best live bands around. Also got to meet them after the show for an album signing , congratulated them on a great gig and thoroughly nice chaps they are too.

I just saw these guys two nights ago and I'm still humming their set list-- what a kick ass show. Their stage prescence was electric, and the crowd matched them as soon as the first song was kicked out. If you're thinking of seeing The Vaccines, do it. They put on a great show with unbelieveable energy, and it's impossible to stop yourself from dancing throughout the set, seriously. It starts with foot tapping but then turns into full blown jumping around; their energy is infectious. See them, dance to them. Get lost in the music and jam. Theyre damn good.

After going to get drinks after the two support acts, somehow me and four friends managed to walk through the hundreds to get like three rows from the front.
In the mad mosh pit I lost my cigarettes and people were actually smoking behind me haha!
The mosh pit was insane and the grown men were crushing the younger generations however it was absolutely amazing.
Luckily we got so close to the front that we could see, if we were any further behind we would have seen nothing! The atmosphere was unreal

Another polished and blistering set from a band, fast becoming 1 of my favourite live pleasures. An experience further enhanced by it taking place in a very special venue.

Hopefully, the 'Brude' with it's cult status, will attract more acts, who can easily fill bigger venues (and make more dollar!), but play there for the sheer enjoyment. None of which have the same charm, however.

The Vaccines at the Brudenell, a match made in indie heaven!

The 02 Bournemouth is an epic venue with an awesome atmosphere but last night was electric. The vaccines absoulty killed it, playing there new stuff and all the classic, with the whole crowd sing along. Supporting band, Dream wife, also smashed it. I hadn't heard them before but their good lyrics and stage presence got them onto my regular playlist. All in all a good night.

The Vaccines played yet another brilliant set on Friday at Brighton Dome. This was the first time I had visited this venue but having seen The Vaccines on three previous occasions, they did not let me down.

Playing a range of songs from their albums, it was a great night enjoyed by all. They even played my favourite hits - Wetsuit, Post Break-Up Sex and Teenage Icon.

Well what I can say I already have said lol.

Simply these guys are brilliant, seen them a few times now in different locations, Roundhouse and the Leas being the best whilst I liked Ally Pally its just a trek to get to.

This band write great music and sing with such energy and fun. You cannot go away from a Vaccines concert disappointed....

Keith