Vitamin at Notting Hill Arts Club

London’s famous niche venue, Notting Hill Arts Club welcomed Leeds-based four-piece Vitamin in their first gig of the year as they try to make it big in the indie music scene. With two successful EPs, Giving It Up and To Believe, and a brand-new single out this year, this youthful band is an infectious mix of Two Door Cinema Club, The 1975 and a sun-kissed summer’s day.

Although the room wasn’t big, the intimacy only made the music feel more alive and the musicians’ energy was unavoidable. Starting off the set with Brothers and Sisters, Jared Laville’s distinctive voice, the heart-stopping drum beats and hip-shaking riffs immediately had the room moving. The silhouettes of the group emerged from the trippy projections illuminating the room to perform Lights, off their To Believe EP. From Laville’s sassy moves to Theo Cookson’s passionate drumming, the performance had everybody’s eyes glued to the stage, enveloped by the feel-good music.

At first, the tracks sound like any other generic indie-pop single, however, the smallest details – among many, the 80s pop influences and stimulating drum beats – set these lads from Leeds apart. With Cookson rocking Matt Healy’s signature look, Laville’s sweater and plain-white-tee style, Harry Smith’s striking bright-orange bass, and guitarist Cameron Fraser’s Shoreditch hipster flair, the group were an enticing bunch. As the synths and contagious melodies of Giving It Up took over the room, the equally free-spirited and funky audience were shaking about, moving in closer to the stage. The crowd were treated to a range of tracks, with the older Did It for You followed by a more recent To Believe; the night was a cheerful one, from one happy offering to the next.

Laville engaged the crowd, making sure everybody was having a good time, clapping and throwing a handful of the band’s tote bags the eager fans. New single This Isn’t Love is infused with heavier rock riffs and, combined with the singer’s beautifully unique high voice, had the venue in a sugar rush – joyful and unable to keep still. As the buzzing set ended with Waterfall, it was clear that the group had earned themselves quite a few more fans.

Bassist Fraser and drummer Cookson post-gig expressed their appreciation for all the enthusiasm, despite it being “a Wednesday night in London”. With their first album release this summer and upcoming festivals, this irresistible quartet are likely to become the new “it” band in the indie-pop scene.

Naomi Schanen

For further information about Vitamin and future events visit here.

Watch the video for This Isn’t Love here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmN2MCiYIqE