The Vaccines have announced a new set of UK tour dates for October 2024, following a run of arena shows with Kings of Leon this summer. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 2nd August, here.
The news follows the band’s successful UK tour earlier this year in support of their new album, Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations, a record that drips with fun — 10 songs in just over half an hour, packed with hooks and melodies and pop smarts.
“It’s about loss,” singer Justin Young says. “And coming to terms with that loss — not necessarily grieving for it, but trying to get a new understanding of it. I don’t just mean in a romantic sense.”
At this point in their career, there’s a pretty clear sense of who The Vaccines are and what they do: this is 60s-inspired classicist guitar pop filtered through new wave, given a modernist sheen in the production. “I think we’re euphoric and melancholic in equal measure. I think we’re very direct, and I think this record sounds quite classic and simple, but hopefully of its time as well.”
One of the most startling things about The Vaccines in 2024 is how young their audience remains. Many guitar bands find their audience ages with them, but The Vaccines’ keeps replenishing. There’s something in that euphoria and melancholy that speaks to younger crowds, and this record’s themes will resonate strongly. “It really excites me that we have so many young fans.” Young says. “We do get new fans — I honestly look at people, and think, ‘You were four when ‘Wreckin’ Bar’ came out!’ We’re not just trying to keep the people who were already there, we’re trying to engage new fans. I love reading comments on TikTok: ‘I’d never heard of you till today, but you’re my new favourite band.”
Young’s justifiably proud of Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations — “every single song on the record was my favourite at some point.” And so he should be. How often do you hear a band truly flower in their sixth record? It’s time to wake up and smell The Vaccines.
The Vaccines UK tour dates:
- Tue 22 Oct Bexhill De La Warr Pavillion
- Wed 23 Oct London Roundhouse
- Fri 25 Oct Norwich UEA
- Sat 26 Oct Lincoln Engine Shed
- Sun 27 Oct Coventry HMV Empire
- Tue 29 Oct Middlesbrough Town Hall
- Wed 30 Oct Scarborough The Spa
- Thu 31 Oct Wolverhampton University of Wolverhampton at The Wulfrun Hall
- Sat 02 Nov Bournemouth O2 Academy
- Sun 03 Nov Cardiff Great Hall
- Mon 04 Nov Bath Forum
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