The Vaccines at the O2

Its somewhat of a surprise to em that the Vaccines have got so big that they can headline the O2, but maybe its just a reflection of the modern appetite for live entertainment that even they can fill this vast hall.

Early arrivals littering the O2 before the night gets going

I managed to slope off early enough to see the whole 4 band bill. So to start off were Temples. A four piece lad by a singer built like a pipe cleaner but with the sort of mop of hair an old timer like me could only be envious of. They were ok but nothing that exciting. But its tough to impress that early on the bill.

Moving up from a 4-piece to a 5-piece, next were Toy, a classic shoegazer band. If you aren't familiar with the term, think headbanging without the banging. A typical song has a short burst of lyrics and then the phalanx of guitarists bow their heads, long hair cascading down in curtains, and concentrate on their throbbing guitars (and no doubt the shoes beyond). For one track this is fine, but after a while, well all I can say is if you like this stuff its more of the same, and if not it just feels interminable.

Having not heard of either of the first two supports, it was same again with third, The Walkmen. Another  five piece band, but in contrast to the first two, quite an established band (in America). Three cheers for Google - wonderful that you can just look up this stuff while standing watching them. And they were really every good, to the extent that I have just invested in their sixth album. Lead singer has a great voice which reminded me of someone else but it took me a while to place it. Its Tom Clarke, the lead singer of the Enemy, a very different style of band. I can only recommend trying them out.

Finally the Vaccines. Who rather nicely came on to the familiar strains of the opening of Beyonce's "Crazy", Beyonce having played the O2, to rather greater fanfare the night before.

You know what you will get from the Vaccines - nothing fancy. They are a straightforward indie rock guitar band, with a lead vocalist who has a strong voice backed by a sound band. They are animated without being affected. So you get entertainment without feeling you are watching a band of arrogant posers. Its energetic, but not frenetic. Their set fairly zipped along, right down to the point at which Justin Young received his birthday cake on stage, in the shape of a coke can, with the words I love coke, better invention than the wheel. Great evening, even making it worth the long haul back from the O2.

Happy birthday Justin