Bradley Simpson at the Forum
It’s been just 12 months since Bradley Simpson, best known as frontman of The Vamps, stepped out on a solo endeavour. Taking over the Forum for the final night of his Panic Years tour, the singer proves he can command a crowd entirely on his own.
Opening to deafening screams, Simpson quickly finds his feet, delivering a set that’s both energetic and heartfelt. Choosing to forgo any tracks from the band that made him famous, he sets the tone from the outset: this isn’t just a deviation, it’s a reintroduction. Gone is the glossy pop he’s known for – instead, Simpson leans into a more indie rock sound. Swoony and sincere, with stripped-back authenticity, the audience hangs on every word.
Between the high-energy tracks, there’s magic in the quiet. An acoustic pairing of Holy Grail and The Band’s Not Breaking Up brings tenderness to the set, with the latter performed on the stairs between the standing area and the balcony. It’s a moment of such intimacy you could hear a pin drop – a far cry from the arenas where Simpson learned his craft – before the final verse explodes into a massive crowd singalong.
An exhilarating cover of Hot to Go! follows, with energy infectious enough to impress even Chappell Roan herself. From there, it’s back to business as the singer powers through the remaining tracks from his debut album. The audience matches his enthusiasm, even calling his bluff after a blistering performance of Always Like This. “You make me want to play the last song again,” he declares, as chants of “do it” pressure him into an encore repeat.
The frontman’s 12 years in the industry have clearly seasoned him – he exudes a confidence well beyond a venue of this size. From the moment he steps on stage, Simpson is every bit a musician in his own right. As his solo career unfolds and the music keeps coming, there’s no telling just how far the Birmingham native might go.
Katherine Parry
Photos: Virginie Viche
For further information and future events visit Bradley Simpson’s website here.
Watch the video for Holy Grail here:
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