Here at CelebMix, we love taking a look back on some of our favourite artists year and today we’re looking at The Vamps. The quartet packed as much as possible into twelve months as possible, reminding their fans why it’s such a great journey to be a part of. This year saw Night & Day (Day edition) being released, the Night & Day tour going global and even James going into the jungle to round off the year. Here’s what happened across the year which made The Vamps one of our most featured artist of 2018.
Touring once again became a huge part of their year, both in Europe and across the pond.
Going into 2018 with a new album just around the corner and a tour in support of this, it was clear touring was going to play a huge part in the quartets year; nothing new there then! Kicking off their year by teaming up with the BRITs to play a special intimate show at Camden’s Dingwalls as part of the BRITS week show in support of War Child UK. This special show kicked off their year in style, before attending the awards and looking very suave to say the least, see below for evidence!
But in terms of touring the Night & Day tour was the biggest part of the year for many The Vamps fans, kicking off in Sheffield on 14th April it saw them heading to arenas across the UK and Ireland delighting many fans along the way with :PM, Maggie Lindemann, Jacob Sartorius, HRVY and New Hope Club by their side. Every year we’re surprised with how special the tour is, it’s one of our highlights of the year as everything from the setlist to the support acts and stage design has been thought through and perfected. This year’s special cover mash-up saw them take on Friends, New Rules and Havana accumulating in one of our favourite covers of the year. Once again the tour took The Vamps to London’s O2 Arena for their annual sold out show which we were lucky enough to attend, Rounding off this year’s headline tour at Manchester Arena, this show was one everybody there will never be able to forget. Paying tribute to the 22 angels killed in the Manchester attack, their cover of Ariana Grande’s One Last Time was hauntingly beautiful and saw tears flow throughout the venue. The Vamps small gesture had a powerful impact and we thank them for helping the memory live on. We had a chat to them following the UK leg, which you can read here.
European fans got their dose of The Vamps this year as they took their tour over to Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Norway before finishing their triumphant tour in Copenhagen. The quartet never to things by halves and the huge list of countries visited on this tour much to the delight of European fans proves this.
Throughout the Summer, The Vamps couldn’t stay away performing shows across the UK including in South Shields, Leeds, Bristol and Newmarket Racecourse but even finding the time to visit Sweden and Spain for one-off shows. These shows were the first to take place after the release of Night & Day (Day Edition) meaning a refreshed setlist and some of our new favourite songs being performed live for the very first time. One thing which never fails to amaze up about these guys is how much they love touring and getting to meet their dedicated fanbase in the progress. A very long overdue trip to America saw them put on their first headline tour across the pond in three years! Reminding UK fans how lucky we are to regularly get our fix of the guys live performances. From shows in Seattle to San Francisco to Chicago and Boston and many more in between; September and the start of October were dedicated to American fans and we chatted to them prior to their Boston show.
We were lucky enough to see The Vamps feel-good live show multiple times this year and South Korean and Indian fans had the pleasure as well. Every year we love looking back on where touring has taken The Vamps over the year, finally wrapping up their touring year on 25th November back in Manchester Arena for Hits Radio Live. Give us a minute whilst we get our head around the journey they’ve taken around the globe this year!
Musically, it was their biggest year yet.
So we’ve taken you down live show memory lane, now onto even more of this year’s goodness. Musically it’s been another year full of new material, collaborations and the follow up to Night & Day (Night Edition). Let’s go right back to the beginning in March. Teaming up with Spanish DJ Danny Avila, The Vamps tried something new in the form of club-esque track Too Good To Be True where Machine Gun Kelly also featured on the track. A little different to much of what the quartet have released before fans were able to build up a picture about what Night & Day (Day Edition) was to bring musically. Back in 2017 when we had a chat with Brad, he let slip to us about Hair Too Long exclusively revealing a lyric from the track. Ever since the track was teased we along with many of you were eagerly anticipating its release and in April a few days after the star of the tour the infectious power-pop track was released. Instantly becoming the soundtrack to your summer, it’s one of those tracks we’ve always struggled to stop ourselves singing along to ‘I’ll go out grow my hair too long, sing your least favourite song at the top of my lungs’. Alongside this an interesting concept video for the track followed; showing Brad working his way around a bad relationship and seeing his bandmates feeling trapped, ignored and arguing more often than not.
Teasing fans by playing this track live on tour fan-favourite Just My Type was released in June so those hard to learn lyrics suddenly became a lot clearer with the studio version. The heavily guitar led track with a more mature sound than previous Vamps offerings sung of someone which isn’t good for you but you continue to crave. Know that feeling? We thought so! The video for the track saw Brad having a near perfect romance which keeps him on his toes, whilst he’s also playing a set with the guys in Morocco. Their colour coordination makes them look incredibly suave in the morocco heat which explains why fans have been raving over this video this year! Last but by no means least was We Don’t Care, released in July it saw them teaming up with Sigala for one of the most vibrant, exciting singles in Vamps history. Collaborations are always fun but this ultimate pairing took it to a new level, we don’t care if you’re bored of us saying how great this track is as it became a soundtrack to our summer.
Night & Day (Day Edition) became an instant contender for album of the year!
We’ve talked touring and singles but now we’re at the most important part of The Vamps year; the release of Night & Day (Day Edition) on 13th July. 2017’s Night & Day (Night Edition) saw them claim their first UK number one album, after a strong battle with Drake to repeat the success of last year The Vamps claimed the second spot in the charts closely beaten by Drake with Scorpion. Going across the country during release week to meet fans who’d help them get so high up the chart there was a real sense of pride within the fanbase. Once again The Vamps, with the help of their loyal fans had gained another high charting album and won over even more fans in the process. Looking back on the album it truly offers up everything you need from big, sassy singalong in Hair Too Long to club worthy Cheap Wine to sultry Talk Later when the boys maturity shines through to summery, feel-good For You (we really hope this appears on next years tour setlist!). Back in 2017 The Vamps debuted Time Is Not On Our Side during their Middle Of The Night Tour keeping fans waiting in anticipation for a studio version of this beautiful ballad, when it was finally released it shone even brighter than when performed live. To read exactly what we thought of the album, head here for our review.
Once again the release came as four different editions, with three tracks suiting the individual members preferred sound and style. We’ve got Brad’s taking us on an emotional rollercoaster hitting us right in the feels with beautiful, emotive Sometimes which a lot of fans have developed a personal connection to thanks to the raw, real lyrical matter. Connor once again brings out his guitar driven tracks, flaunting his grittier vocals we aren’t often treated to on main album tracks. Notable mention to Naked for getting right beneath our skin with it’s full on in your face chorus. Providing something a little different is Tristan with My Life featuring New Hope Club which is the ultimate sass track when you know you’re fine without someone around even if you didn’t think you would be. However Sometimes It Rains In L.A has seen fans begging for it to be played on tour thanks to the party atmosphere it creates instantly, you want to boogie and we can see how crazy this would be live. James has always told of his love for country tracks, his collaboration with Lindsay Ell on Stumble Home is absolutely everything we wanted and needed from his version of the album. It’s beautiful, easy listening which makes you feel all warm inside on the winter days which are closing 2018. In August it was announced that the album had gone Gold in the UK selling over 500,000 units less than a month after its release.
As each release passes the growth both musically and personally within The Vamps is clear, establishing new, confident sounds along the way you can’t help but be excited about what’s next to come. Especially as we’ve heard rumours new music is closer than we think! Keep with CelebMix and as we find out, you’ll find out too.
They made their annual visit to Radio 1’s Live Lounge.
The Vamps and Radio 1’s Live Lounge go together like Beyoncé and Jay-Z so of course, 2018 saw them making a trip there to perform Just My Type which with additional choral backing vocals was something incredibly special to hear. We love, love, we love it! The Live Lounge always brings incredible new versions of some of everyone’s favourite tracks and The Vamps taking on George Ezra’s Shotgun might go straight to the top of our favourite cover of 2018 list. Adding their own twist to the track, Brad’s vocals suited the track perfectly and we love the little changes made to make it more ‘them’. It’s impossible to not have a boogie to this version, everyone in the Live Lounge certainly did.
Fans were treated to some very special one-off events this year…
Throughout the year there’s been many one off special events for The Vamps. The Vamps teamed up with Tinder to take over Abbey Road Studios just after valentines day. With the audience made up of competition winners at the iconic venue seeing a band used to performing in arenas taking on a much smaller venue making an even more memorable experience for fans lucky enough to attend. The stripped back show saw smiles on everyone’s faces and was a perfect little Valentine’s treat, we just wish we’d been there!
They also teamed up with Sofar Sounds for a very special night of live music. Taking over Shoreditch Treehouse on the 10th July, just days before their album release the stripped back set was something incredibly special to witness. Performing a short set of tracks both old and new; including What Your Father Says which was the first live performance of the track. Fans got the chance to see them in an intimate setting, where barriers between the band and fans were broken down creating a superb atmosphere and memorable night. Hopefully 2019 will see further small shows throughout the year as we love the big arena tours but can’t help but love seeing our faves in an up close and personal setting.
Around the release of Night & Day (Day Edition), The Vamps headed to the YouTube Space with pal Luke Franks for their ‘A Night In The Day’ event. We seem team Tradley and team Jonnor taking part in some games based around the album. From Too Good To Be True (or false), Time Is Not On Our Side where Brad immediately struggles to follow the rules and What My Father Says which is the best guess who tweeted it game we’ve seen in a while! It also gave the lucky fans a chance to see the band up close and personal during an acoustic set. Watch the fun and games below, it’ll make you jealous you weren’t there, trust us!
The Vamps showed off their charitable side (again!)
It wouldn’t be The Vamps if across the year they hadn’t done their bit for charity; supporting the likes of Anti-Bullying Pro, Julia’s House, Heads Together and Princes Trust. Using their large following and platform to increase awareness of these causes by tweeting about, attending events and also talking to the media about these charities isn’t something new this year. Throughout their time as a band we’ve constantly seen them backing what they believe in and that makes us love them a little bit more.
James of the jungle?
With the year drawing to a close, just when we thought The Vamps were slowing down for the year James after years of rumours and teasing made his way into the jungle for I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here… as the band and fans supported him every step of the way. Whether this was through the fun times as his friendship with the likes of Harry Redknapp and Rita Simons or the not so fun including bushtucker trials such as Ding Dong Merrily Up High (Did anyone else watch through their fingers or just us?!). It was great to see James coming into his own during the series and his confidence growing throughout. We’d definitely love to see one of the others in there next year! James’ appearance followed Tristan Evans following Connor Ball on All-Star Driving School earlier this year. Sadly failing his driving test unlike Connor who passed last year; don’t worry Tristan it’ll be your turn next!
But what’s next on the cards in 2019?
2018 has truly been an incredible year for The Vamps and we’ve loved being able to watch and get involved in their journey by heading to many of their live shows. As we head in to 2019 there’s plenty to be excited about if you’re a The Vamps fan, with the Four Corners UK and Ireland tour kicking off in April there’s bound to be even more opportunities to see them live and almost certainly new music. Earlier the quartet released their own highlights video, which you can find out about and watch over here. Back in August the band celebrated their sixth anniversary, who knows what will have happened by the time they celebrate their seventh! We can’t wait to see The Vamps continue to grow and win over hearts across the world.