The Vaccines talk new music and what we can expect from their secret show

After releasing their fourth album and securing a slot supporting the Rolling Stones, you would think that playing intimate shows are a thing of the past for The Vaccines. But you were wrong.

In the top room of a pizza joint just down the road from where their first songs were written, I caught up with Justin and Arnie from The Vaccines. The band are set to return to Manchester on Thursday 20^th September for a one off intimate show.

Speaking about the magic of intimate shows Justin explained “I think [intimate shows] are more of a shared experience and a there’s a closer connection. There’s no us and them. And there’s not 50 feet of barriers and security. It feels like you’re all in it together and you’re almost spitting on the front rows of the crowd. You feel as though your sweat is dripping on them and everything is just bouncing off the walls. It’s just a lot more electric and contained. It’s like a pinball machine”.

It’s been seven years since the release of their debut album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines. An album with tracks like If You Wanna and Post Break-up Sex, which catapulted them onto various festival bills. Since then, the band have toured the world and played the Main Stage at the notorious Reading and Leeds festivals.

Speaking about the contrast between festival shows and intimate venues, Justin said: “Well we just love being a big band and we want to be a big band. But the small shows are amazing. We just feel like we’re lucky to be able to do both”. Arnie added: “Yeah we just love the variety of what we do as a band. It’s what makes what we do great”.

Although little is known about their show in Manchester. With the venue being kept tightly under wraps, the band let us in on what to expect. Justin revealed exclusively to VIVA: “it will be hot and sweaty. There will be much more of a connection in the room and hopefully it will feel like we’re all in it together. We’re recording a new single currently and so we’re been playing a couple new songs live and so there will be new music, which is super exciting. people can expect something new”.

The gig will be presented by Jack Daniels, who as a brand have been supporting music for the past 100 years. One of the initiatives associated with Jack Daniel’s Presents is the fact that they support independent venues. Over the last year Manchester has seen various music venues close down, which is a reflection of the national issue.

Speaking about the cause of the problem, Justin explained: “It is in a way detrimental, but it’s also a bi product of the way that the industry has changed. There’s still a huge appetite for live music, you only have to go and look at how many festivals there are over the summer. But, its’ grass roots touring that just isn’t the way people come up and make music anymore”.

He added: “But it’s amazing when you can do things to help. But there’s only so much you can do”.

When it comes to what’s next, the band revealed that new music is on the horizon. So it won’t be long until we get more of their infectious tunes.