Written by Meg Ivy

Cardiff, May 19, 2025 – Bradley Simpson, the charming frontman of The Vamps, proved he’s a force to be reckoned with in his own right, delivering a captivating performance at Cardiff’s Tramshed last night. Touring in support of his debut solo album, The Panic Years, Bradley showcased a diverse range of sounds and a newfound lyrical depth that resonated deeply with the young crowd.

For those of us who spent our early teens expertly plastering bedroom walls with boys in bands’ faces, The Vamps would probably have been amongst your collection. This show was a wonderful dose of nostalgia that hit me straight in the face this evening, albeit with a more mature and solo twist.

I started my evening at one of my favourite places in Cardiff: Scaredy Cats. I beelined there after stepping in the bus and realising I was a little too early to go to the venue. It’s not that I wasn’t excited for the show – I really was – it was more so I didn’t want to ruin the cool, mysterious act I have going on (I’m joking … I was carrying a camera bag for crying out loud, there’s nothing mysterious about that) and be the first one to turn up.

I had finished my iced tea and started to make my way to the venue, passing a couple of girls with VIP lanyards around their neck. I was on the phone to my Mum, as I am most days and we were reminiscing over the time we saw The Vamps at Newmarket Racecourse. Me, my Mum and my sister go there every year to see dierent acts (apart from last year) and we walked away from that evening lled with joy. That amazing gig, when I was just 19, felt like a lifetime ago, and standing there, about to see Bradley’s solo show, truly highlighted the growth and evolution of an artist I’ve followed for years as well as my own growth now that I’m 26.

The evening kicked off with siblings Neckbreakers, providing swoon worthy harmonies and getting the crowd to scream their names to them after a break in songs. Their raw, no-nonsense acoustic songs helped to set the tone for the rest of the evening and they certainly gained themselves some new fans.

Following them was the enchanting fast-rising star Nieve Ella, who swept the stage with her best friend and fellow bandmate Finn Marlow. It was a sweet and soulful acoustic set, creating an intimate atmosphere that made you forget you were in the middle of a venue and instead feel like you were tucked up in a cosy living room.

She opened her set with ‘The Things We Say’, a truly personal track about the pain of a friendship breaking down and the hurtful words we exchange with loved ones. Her set immediately draws you in and even though her guitar string might have broken, her vocals soared. Especially in her rendition of Lizzy McAlpine’s song ‘Spring Into Summer’.

The crowd loved her, even more so when she told them how she’d grown up going to Barry Island, the screams became a little louder and the crowd truly became on her side. Nieve’s set was truly a masterclass in nuanced songwriting, drawing the audience in with intricate melodies and heartfelt lyrics that had you calling your friends and family to tell them how much you love them on the way home from the gig.

The wait was now over – as it was now time for Bradley Simpson to take the stage. Girls with VIP lanyards around their necks and covered in merch were waiting in anticipation as the crew checked guitars and drums. It was during this time, I did my good deed of the day as I saw one of the girls drop Nieve’s setlist, running over to hand it to them. I know how important those setlists are, as at home I have them framed or taped to my wall.

You see his band before you see him.

Elena Costa and James Attwood stroll onto stage as if it’s their home, taking their places before Bradley bounces on, the upbeat instrumental of ‘Getting Clear’ just about being heard through the screams that lled up Tramshed.

For a generation who grew up with the infectious pop hits of The Vamps, seeing Bradley step into his own solo spotlight (kinda … it was more like strobe light) felt both familiar and excitingly new all the same. He still exuded condence and charm, but something about it felt more steady, more mature. Less preppy and poppy, more serious and edgy … you know?

However, if I’m being honest, the echoes of his boyband days were certainly still present – if the roar of the crowd was anything to go by, at least. Every lyric screamed back at him with as much power as he was singing it, there was sheer joy radiating off of every single person in that room from the floor, all the way up to the balcony.

This wasn’t just a walk down memory lane though, Bradley delivered indie-rock songs that knocked you for six (if the bass emanating from the speakers was anything to go by). A lot can change, including leaving boy bands and going solo. Creating music that speaks a whole new language and carries a dierent weight, while still maintaining that same level of charm that Bradley Simpson was known for was interesting to see live, to say the least.

Even just three songs in, ‘Cry At The Moon’ emerged as a true standout moment, feeling like the heart of the set. Drenched in an atmospheric, red light, the song enveloped the entire venue, the crowd jumping and screaming along to every word – even the instrumental. I felt like I was fourteen again, that raw almost visceral feeling of awe is still there, but now it’s coupled with an appreciation for his growth as a solo artist.

The crowd who were already buzzing – somehow continued to reach new heights, a testament to how deeply his new music is resonating, not just with long-time fans but with those who are also just discovering him for the rst time as a solo act.

Tonight, Bradley Simspon didn’t just play a gig, he unlocked a collective memory, reminding us of the power of music to transport us back to our formative years, whilst simultaneously showcasing his exciting present and giving us a glimpse into his future.

For those who once went feral for the boy in the band, will now see a man command the stage with such authenticity and talent – truly a full circle moment that proved some teenage feelings never really go away and even when you’re twenty six you’ll still go a little crazy over a boy who was once in one of your favourite bands.