The Vaccines Celebrate Justin’s Birthday With Biggest-Ever Gig

Feeling: With the top tier of seats completely hidden by a humungous black curtain, you would be forgiven for worrying The Vaccines had bitten off more than they can chew. But the floor was absolutely rammed with fans who really made themselves heard when the lads walked out to Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love – referencing the superstar’s three shows here earlier in the week – which got huge cheers.

 

The Look: As you would hope for, there was more production than your standard Vaccines show with four square video screens dropping behind them after the first few songs. Guitarist Freddie Cowan looked very James Dean wearing a white tee tucked into light blue jeans, while his bandmates Justin, bassist Arni Arnason and drummer Pete Robertson were dressed in nearly all black.

 

 

Tunes: Every track got the crowd dancing and clapping along. Album two opener No Hope into Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra) was a brilliant way to start their set and the boys never looked back. Catchy new song Melody Calling was debuted, while their anthems Teenage Icon and If You Wanna sounded ace.

 

Banter: Admitting during the gig he is a man of few words, Justin joked he “can’t believe we’re playing the Millennium Dome!” and thanked the crowd for making their dreams come true. During their encore, the birthday boy was brought a Coca-Cola can cake and Arni took a break from swinging his long blonde locks from left to right to orchestrate the O2 Arena into singing Happy Birthday.

 

Sweat Factor: Serious perspiration from the dancing masses.

 

Summary: The Vaccines triumphed on the biggest night in their history. After a gig this good, it will certainly not be the last time these indie heroes play a packed arena show.