The Vamps Light Up O2 Apollo Manchester, UK – A Decade of Pop Magic – September 24th 2024

September 26, 2024
UK Concert Reviews
by Gosia Czyzniewska Photographer/Writer

WORDS AND IMAGES GOSIA CZYZNIEWSKA

The O2 Apollo Manchester buzzed with anticipation on the 24th of September as fans gathered for The Vamps‘ 10-year “MEET THE VAMPS” album anniversary show. The night promised not only nostalgic hits but also fresh energy from both rising talents and seasoned performers. Here’s a breakdown of the evening.

Support Act 1: SOAP

The night kicked off with SOAP, a dynamic four-piece band that’s quickly making waves in the UK’s grassroots music scene. Despite their youth, SOAP owned the stage with a mature confidence from the get-go. Known for their infectious energy, the band had the crowd bouncing to their latest track, “Funeral”, encouraging everyone to stream it. They even found a moment to teach the crowd a dance to “Get Out of My House”, which added to the fun, atmosphere they created.

Their set closed with a crowd-pleasing cover of ABBA’s “SOS”, featuring an impressive drum solo that had the audience crouching before exploding into jumps. It was a sight to see, and the cheers that followed proved that SOAP had made their mark. Displaying humility, they packed their own gear after the set, a refreshing contrast to the grandeur of their performance.

Support Act 2: Talia Mar

Talia Mar took the stage next, armed with just a backing track and undeniable charisma. Dressed in a silver two-piece and stomper trainers, she effortlessly commanded attention. Sharing anecdotes of her early fandom for The Vamps—having first seen them on Taylor Swift’s Red tour—she won over the crowd with ease.

Her set included a powerful cover of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” and an energized rendition of TLC’s “No Scrubs”, prompting big cheers from the nearly full venue. Talia candidly admitted to feeling tired but powered through her set with grace, ending on a high note with her song “Selfportrait”, a personal reflection on self-love and inner criticism. As she left the stage, the crowd’s appreciation was clear, and her parting words—“Thank you and I love you”—felt genuine.

Main Act: The Vamps

The lights dimmed, and the anticipation reached its peak as The Vamps took to the stage in a blaze of sparklers. Kicking off with “Wildheart”, “Dangerous”, and “Hurricane”, the band greeted Manchester with enthusiasm, marking the start of their 10-year anniversary celebration.

Lead singer Brad Simpson took a moment to reminisce, reflecting on their early days of writing together and expressing gratitude for the decade-long journey that had brought them to this moment. From there, the crowd was swept into a night of nostalgia and high-energy hits, including “Oh Cecilia”, during which Brad encouraged the audience to form conga lines.

The set was peppered with acoustic moments, such as “On the Floor”, “Fall”, and “High Hopes”, where the band donned glasses thrown on stage by the fans. The audience sang along to every word.

As the night wore on, the energy only heightened. During “Wake Up”, sparklers lit up the stage once again, with Tristan Evans delivering a thunderous drum solo. The playful banter between band members added a sense of camaraderie, as they poked fun at Brad’s choice of wearing a furry cardigan in the sweltering room, which led to some cheeky chants from the crowd.

The emotional high point came with “Shout About It”, when the band asked the audience to light up the venue with their phones, creating a breathtaking scene as thousands of lights swayed to the music. The mood turned celebratory once again with “All Night”, leaving the crowd clapping and singing along at the top of their lungs.

Encore

Returning for an encore, The Vamps took the audience to new heights with an electric guitar solo that transitioned into “Another World”, accompanied by low smoke effects, making it seem as though they were performing on clouds. The atmosphere was magical, and the applause was thunderous.

The encore continued with “Lovestruck”, “Married in Vegas”—which saw Connor Ball taking to the piano—and “Risk It All”, all delivered with high-energy performances and tight musicianship. The night culminated in “Somebody to You”, complete with confetti raining down and a massive finish that had the entire venue roaring in approval.

As the final notes rang out, The Vamps bowed and thanked Manchester for being a part of their journey, leaving the crowd with memories of an unforgettable night filled with music, nostalgia, and plenty of sing-alongs. For fans old and new, it was a celebration of a decade of pop perfection.