The Vaccines - Isle of Wight 2012 review
'They've become something of a national treasure'
Photographer:Anna Hyams
Anja Kimberley - 24 June 2012
Excited to be returning to the home of their first ever festival, The
Vaccines have stormed back to the Isle Of Wight to show us what has propelled them to the top of global playlists.
Only two years on from their formation, The Vaccines have become something of a national treasure, having been Virtual Festivals' 'ones
to watch' only a year ago they now draw crowds in their thousands like magnets (although that could also be in part the mud
slide that has formed around the arena).
Precious available room allows slithers of light through the crowd flickering
with the movement like strobe-lights as they dance to 'Wreckin' Bar', punctuating lyrics "Let's go" with sharp bounces, gaining
momentum into 'Wetsuit' and chants of "Come on, come on!" interestingly "put a t-shirt on" is less audible. The entire band
infuse the stage with energy which they absorb, magnify and throw right back out to the crowd as frontman Justin Young bounds
into the air.
'A Lack of Understanding' allows a momentary release and large groups take the opportunity to gather
for photos, memories that will evidently encapsulate random individuals they are blissfully unaware of getting in on the fun
with contorted faces and cheesy grins.
The pace quickly picks up again for 'Teenage Idol', sparking linked-arm
dancing in growing circles. The brief break before 'All in White' gives way to a collective "Happy Birthday" chorus for a
fan somewhere in the centre of the audience that all within ear-shot contribute to enthusiastically. Birthday celebrations
complete, Vaccines hit, 'Post Break-Up Sex' creates excited havoc with people clambering on friends shoulders for an opportunity
to sing and be picked up by the lowered cameras capturing the moment.
New song 'Ghost Town' is introduced with
its second public performance. It is well received - another hit is clearly on the cards as the bass propels the vibe, reminiscent
of the ska-punk era, to the core of the arena. Fittingly, two skull and cross bone flags lift high into the air, whilst the
less appropriate blow-up doll resembling Vicky Pollard in wellies is better suited to succeeding track - 'Blow Up'.
The finale to a blinding set comprises of 'If you Wanna' and 'Noggard'. The Vaccines excelled our expectations last year and if this is anything
to go by, they are just getting started.
Click here for our full Isle
of Wight 2012 coverage.
We want your Isle of Wight Festival reviews!
Follow us
on Facebook and Twitter and reply to our review posts with your thoughts, insights, opinions and full-on reviews.
Send tweets to us with your reviews or comment on our Facebook page, or in the comments section below with your
thoughts.
This isn’t about getting nasty if you don’t agree with our journalists, but an opportunity
to leave your own appraisals, with the best ones getting published on the site.
So, what are you waiting
for? Let us know your thoughts!
Related Artists
Related Events
Related Articles
Hide Search Results
