The Vaccines / Gig Review

The Vaccines, one of the most influential and rising indie-rock bands of the moment. Their second big-sellout headline tour; their third time playing the O2 Academy in Newcastle... And what a night it was!
The night started with three very different, very varied support acts tailor picked by The Vaccines themselves, Pale, Deap Vally and DIIV. Throughout the three virtually unknown support acts, the crowd were very polite, quiet and un-attached. They listened rather than moved

The first act to grace us was Pale - a two piece opening the gig with rigid politeness, strong synthesised beats and quiet humming down the mic, you could tell that these two were nervous as hell!

The second act was Deap Vally, two country-influenced rock chick's presenting themselves in a way not many men rockers, let alone ladies can. With a strong presence on stage, despite some technical difficulties, the two Americans swept and swooned through their set of powerful guitar riffs, a banging drum beat accompanied with raunchy vocals; heightening the mood of the un-aware crowd ever so slightly. Siren songs.

The third support was from American syntho-pop band DIIV. Combined woozy guitars and indie boy haircuts; the band swooped through their longer-than-necessary set. With breathless vocals and an odd stage presence, you could tell that it was about time the act everyone had came to see to appear.

And appear they did. Justin Young with his "messy hair" and double denim rocketed on stage to deafening screams from girls and boys. Rolling straight in with "No Hope". A chorus of "No Hope!" was screamed throughout the academy as the electrifying quartet preformed a mind-blowing set of extraordinary brilliance.

From rolling into the new album "Coming Of Age" and flipping between their award-winning debut "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?", The Vaccines put on a show of shining energy; steam could really be seen coming from Young's scraggy hair.

Finishing on a high of single "Norgaard", the crowd of the Newcastle Academy were treated to a fast action fist pumping hard-hitting jolt of reality. A musical high was a strong mutual feeling that night. You could see the bright twinkle in every ones eyes and the only words that were uttered were a "WOW".


The Vaccines are really something else

Songs of the week 24/11/12

1. Lana Del Rey - Body Electric


You either want to be her or be on her, everybody's favourite lady of darkened gothic pop has returned to save our failing music system in a blaze of glorious light.  Lana Del Rey's hauntingly gripping vocals ooze passion and sadness in track five of her band new album, imaginatively named "Born to Die - The Paradise Edition".   "Body Electric’s” eerie Gothic vibe entices you forward to enter the hideout of the ghoul which has decided to vacation inside Del Rey for the time being.   A song filled with strong influences of re-occurring father-daughter issues, the steady pulse rate echoes.   The carefully planted beats which act like slippery stepping stones and heart-racing-adrenaline-pumping drama; the mystifying music pushes you forward in a stupor of maddening slumber.    Del Rey's sickly sweet lyrics pierce the veil of a blackened, unknown wedding procession between two un-named lovers.    She spins and dances while taking you on a never-ending spiral through the Gothic Forrest which crowds your mind.   Punctured by un-even rhythms which jangle and spring together to form something breath-taking, we get a vague insight into how alone and feeble Del Rey really is.   Is she hiding behind the dresses and make-up?  Is there something feeble and weak lying under all of the sinister tonight Lana Del Rey uses?    Freedom: alone   . She sings the body electric - and lets us ever so slightly deepen ourselves into the fizzing current which is spinning her webs. Can Del Rey do no wrong?



2. The Vaccines - I Always Knew

It finally seems as if The Vaccines have been spending far too much time betting at the races recently on tour, rather than jamming together on their guitars, drinking and genuinely getting fucked like most rock bands do these days.    The surprisingly quick up-tempo beat of a western showdown is propelled into oblivion in the brand-new single from the scraggly haired indie rockers The Vaccines.   Catchy: chirpy: cool.    The Vaccines have caught the temporary feeling of falling in love with somebody who was sectioned to the dreaded 'friend zone' all along in simple chords and rhyme which shoot electric Goosebumps through the atmosphere.    The feeling of a final realisation has been captured perfectly in the storm of woozy guitar riffs and a belting drum line; the power has been thrust forward and thrown into total chaos which really works.    The echo of Justin Young's simple lyrics ploughing down the playing field of this racing song is phenomenal!    The magical imagery of a gallant horse battle through the desert creates an almighty atmosphere.    This song is an eruption - and a wild one at that!



3. Mumford & Sons - Broken Crown


"Touch my mouth and hold my tongue" Marcus Mumford hums romantically against the gentle lull of his acoustic guitar - opening up new waves of teratory for the world-renowned four piece. Broken Crown is the defining moment of the newly released and critically acclaimed album "Babel". Before the familiar hands begin the plucking of the original Mumford & Sons banjo kicking in, Marcus preforms the first section of this song alone - opening up the ears and eyes of the audience at home. We see Mumford in a new light - a light which seems to show that he is in fact not jesus and actually a human. A contrasting silent roar from Mumford later and we're plunged deep into a pool of complete joy and excitement as the banjo rattles on further. The pounding fuels the tempo inside of your heart as the song lifts you forward to bring yourself to say a chorus of "fuck it all away". From a strong, gallant, moving shout - to a quick snap of a fallen branch, we're taken back to the cold and soft land we had started the journey of the song from. We're brought back from the deep plunge that has us surrounded with lyrics that nobody really understands, but having to question would mean a Mumford & Sons scorning. Up until the very velvety subtle ending, Mumford & Sons have created a brilliantly moving song full of raw emotion transporting you anywhere, anywhere you want to go.