On 28th February, The Vaccines took to the stage at the O2 Academy in Glasgow to kick off their ‘What Did You Expect?’ tour, celebrating 15 years since the release of their 2011 debut album ‘What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?’.

With support from Chicago-based Brigitte Calls Me Baby, the night got off to a stylish start. The band, all dressed in black, had a cool, understated stage presence that mixed generations of musical influence. 

When The Vaccines finally took their positions in the orange glow of their huge lit up backdrop, it wasn’t a moment too soon. This was a crowd who had grown up with the band, their albums providing a soundtrack to the ups and downs of teenage years into adulthood. From the opening bars of the first song, cheers erupted around the venue, a pattern that would repeat itself throughout the set. Glasgow clearly came ready to party, and the band was primed and ready to oblige.

Frontman Justin Young quickly established an easy rapport with the crowd. At one point he reflected on the band’s early days, recalling a show at Glasgow pub, the Captain’s Rest, in November 2010. Back then, he said, they could never have imagined that fifteen years later they’d be performing at the Academy. The audience responded with a huge cheer; a shared moment between band and fans who have grown up together.

The first half of the show had The Vaccines playing their debut album in its entirety. Song after song triggered waves of nostalgia. The opening riff of each track seemed to spark another roar, with the crowd singing along and steadily ramping up the atmosphere.

Highlights came thick and fast. When ‘If You Wanna’ kicked off, pure joy spread across the floor. In the song that followed, ‘Family Friend” Young held his microphone outwards and let the audience take over, their voices carrying the chorus without any help from Justin.

After the main set, the band left the stage to a storm of stamping, clapping and whistling. The demand for more was unmistakable, and when they returned the cheer that greeted them was deafening.

Young joked that starting a tour in Glasgow might be a mistake, “The worst thing about playing Glasgow first is that it’s all downhill from here.” The audience lapped it up (And for the record, he’s 100% correct – no city can beat a Glasgow crowd!).

He also revealed that the band had recently finished writing their seventh album. There was one particular song that had been rehearsed for the first time the previous day, and Glasgow would be the first audience to hear it. ‘Ten Years Too Far‘ clearly got the fans’ approval, and if their reaction was anything to go by, the new album will go down a storm. 

Fifteen years after that tiny Glasgow gig, The Vaccines proved they still know exactly how to put on a show. With their talent and collective chemistry, as well as their loyal fans, the next fifteen years are shaping up to be just as exciting as the last. 

Kim Sabatelli