The Vamps: It’s always nice to come back to PH

THE POP quartet delivered a 12-song set.

One of The Vamps’ first impressions of the Philippines when they first visited here last year was that it was hot—“very hot,” in fact, to quote guitarist James McVey.

Later on, the British group learned that the local fans’ enthusiasm and eagerness to see them could be just as intense as the tropical heat, if not more.

“It was very loud, and there were lots of excited fans—which was awesome,” James told reporters at Raffles Residences in Makati City. “The Philippines is one of the places in the world where people are most supportive, so it was nice to come back,” he said, recalling the band’s concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in February 2015.

“Filipino fans are some of the most active in our Facebook page, too,” added James, who is joined in the pop band by lead vocalist Brad Simpson, bassist Connor Ball, and drummer Tristan Evans. “That’s why we have always wanted to put [Manila] in our world tours.”

Late last month, The Vamps took the stage anew at the same venue, where the guys were once again received with a raucous welcome.

The band, which describes its style as “pop-rock and indie,” had revelers jumping, shrieking and singing along, as the pop quartet delivered a 12-song set that included such hits as “Can We Dance,” “Last Night,” “Wake Up” and “Somebody to You.”

Titled “#3logy,” the one-night show (mounted by MMI Live) also featured American pop groups, Before You Exit and The Tide, as well as Australian R&B singer William Singe. Twelve-year-old Jayda Avanzado (Dingdong Avanzado and Jessa Zaragoza’s daughter) was the front act.

Expectedly, giddy tween girls comprised the majority of the audience—some of whom, James related, trooped to the airport to catch the group’s arrival. “They seem to know where we are set to go to before we do,” quipped James, who personally invited teen actress Liza Soberano, a fan of the band, to attend the concert.

BRAD Simpson      Magic Liwanag and Jasper Lucena for MMI Live

Asked about the group’s huge female fan base, Brad let out a chuckle. “It’s nice that people are enjoying our music. They are very dedicated, and they sing all the words—which is cool,” he said, quickly adding: “But we saw a few guys out there, as well!”

The Vamps, which also flew to Cebu City for an autograph session, was formed and gained traction in 2012 with the help of social media.

Thus, Brad pointed out, giving back and making the fans happy are always a top priority—even if it meant having to twerk, which they once did as part of a dare.

“We try to cater to whatever the fans want, because they have done a lot for us,” Brad said. “We didn’t come from a TV show or something. Much of our success is due to their support and hard work. So if they ask us to twerk, we twerk!”

Aside from their ongoing tour, The Vamps has also covered the song, “Kung Fu Fighting,” for the third installment of the movie “Kung Fu Panda”—an exciting and intimidating project, Brad related, “because the song is well-known.”

THE VAMPS

The band also continues to write new material for its third album. “We are very open to anything as musicians. We will see where [our sound] ends up going,” Brad said.

“We’re evolving all the time. As we evolve as people, from teenagers to young adults, so will our music,” James added.

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