Bradley Simpson, known for leading the British band The Vamps, is at a pivotal moment in his career. After a decade of success with his band and a sound that has captivated millions of fans, Brad has decided to open a new chapter and embark on a solo project. His recent mini European tour, with sold-out shows in London, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris, has revealed a more intimate and personal side to his music—an organic evolution that has led him to explore new creative horizons and connect with his audience in a different way.
We spoke with Bradley at the start of this exciting solo journey, discussing the challenges and possibilities of this new stage in his artistic life.
Barcelona is the first stop of your European tour. How are you feeling about kicking things off here?
It really felt like the perfect place, I’ve always loved Barcelona: the people, their love for music and the city is so vibey, so they started the tour off right.
It’s been 10 years since The Vamps first performed in Spain since “Meet The Vamps” release in 2014. How does it feel like being an international artist to come, perform and having the support from people in countries like Spain where the main language and most music is not English?
It makes me all the more appreciative of the fans, hearing them sing back words especially to unreleased songs in a language that isn’t their first. It’s incredible, I have been saying I’m going to learn Spanish for years but I really need to be disciplined with Duolingo, or move to Spain it’s one or the other.
In one of your old Tour Video Diaries, you mentioned that Barcelona was “one of my favourite cities in the whole wide world.” Tell us Bradley, is it still one of your favourite cities?
It definitely is still up there, I’ve just always had such fond memories and great times. It’s always been so welcoming of the music and passionate during shows. Also I’m a sucker for a night out in Razzmatazz.
And you have just recently been on tour with The Vamps to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Meet The Vamps. How do you feel about finishing that big tour with The Vamps and immediately diving into a solo tour?
I feel good! Potentially should have given myself an extra week off but I struggle to sit and do nothing and touring is my favourite thing to do, so I’m enjoying it.
How did the idea of releasing solo music come about? Was it something you have always wanted to do, or did it happen more organically?
It was a very organic process, I’d never really thought about it until a couple years ago. I started to write some songs that felt like the beginning of a solo album and then just ran with it, now the album is done and coming out soon. I’m so excited!
Did you ever feel confined to a particular sound with The Vamps, especially since the other members are also branching out into solo projects with different musical directions? Was there a moment of fear that the band might be over?
I never felt confined no, we experimented a lot over the years and will continue to do so and that’s the beauty of the band, we’ve all got very different musical backgrounds so we can do that. But I think it’s been lovely to see everyone pursing their own sounds and figuring that out, it’s been really healthy for all of us. Never any fear about the band being over, no!
Do you think people who only know you from The Vamps might underestimate your solo work because they associate you with pop?
I’m not sure, I think I’ve tried to make music that feels authentic to me and whether you’re listening off the back of the band or whether you don’t know me at all. I want it to be music that reflects me, it’s very easy for preconception to skew how you listen to or view things but I hope that people can listen to my music with an open mind and enjoy it. And if you don’t, that’s fine! I’ll just cry myself to sleep.
How different is your writing process now as a solo artist? How is your writing process?
It’s a lot more insular, I have been writing with the boys for ten years and on this project the majority of songs have started in my bedroom or hotel room. Or just with me and one other person and I’ve really enjoyed that, I think it’s given me the ability to dive a little deeper into what I want to say.
You’ve mentioned in the past that bands like Gallows, Nirvana and Pearl Jam have been huge inspirations. Do you think people are surprised when they find out your musical inspirations are more rock and punk-based?
Maybe, I think I’ve always been quite open with my musical interests and fans definitely know what I’m into. But I haven’t explored it in a songwriting sense so it’s been nice to do that in my solo music and maybe opens that side of me up to other people.
Growing up in Birmingham, which has a rich musical history, how much do you think your hometown influenced your sound compared to, say, your family’s music tastes?
I think massively! Birmingham was such an amazing city to grow up in, in so many ways. It’s got such a variety of music, and I was always exposed to all different genres. It’s a gritty city and when you go into the centre it feels like this huge mixing pot of people and cultures through art and food and just walking the streets. I used to skateboard a lot in Birmingham, and through that I would be introduced to so many different people and scenes and I am grateful to Birmingham for that and always will be, it will always be home.
Do you remember the first physical album you owned and the first concert you had ever attended?
First album I remember buying was a band called The Frutellis – «Costello Music».
First concert, Jamiroquai with my family, and I said it was too loud hahah.
What music are you currently listening to and which artists are inspiring you at the moment?
At the moment, the new Clairo album is on repeat – I love it. Wunderhorse, Blossoms. Been listening to early Bloc Party as well which takes me back to being 14.
Have you ever experienced periods of creative block? How do you deal with that?
Yes 100% and it’s the worst, you feel like you’re never going to write a song again. But now I take all the pressure off myself and just go and live my life for a bit, outside of music. I see friends, go for drinks or just enjoy the world around me a bit and it tends to re inspire you.
Does the pressure of needing to release new music ever scare you, knowing that it’s not always easy to keep the creative process flowing?
I can see how it would, and maybe it just hasn’t hit me yet. But I love writing albums and spending a batch of time away from releasing to put it together. So I then feel like I have a load of songs ready to go and kind of know the order I want them to be put out into the world. I’m saying this now I haven’t started writing a second album yet so maybe it will come then haha.
You’ve mentioned in previous interviews that you’ve always played in bands. How does it feel to now perform solo after over 10 years of being in a group?
It was definitely a strange transition and I felt slightly naked without the boys for the first few gigs. But I am so lucky to have Elena Costa (my drummer) and James Attwood (guitar and bass), who are two incredible humans and musicians and we’ve really locked in as a three piece so I’m enjoying playing live with those two.
Does performing solo feel more intimate (in terms of the connection of the music performed and the audience) compared to performing with a band?
I think so, I feel like because they are very personal songs it gives me the opportunity to give the audience a bit more of an insight into the writing and stories behind each and that breeds more intimacy between the crowd and me.
How does it feel to have a sold out European tour without even releasing an album yet? How does it feel to see a room full of people singing along to unreleased tracks?
Haha it’s very wild I’m waiting for someone to wake me up. Honestly the fans have been incredible, I can’t thank them enough. I was nervous going into this next chapter but their support has meant the world. It’s made me even more excited to get the album out and come back and do another tour.
And speaking of performing unreleased songs, “Daisies” wasn’t originally going to be a single, right? But people loved it when they heard it live—how did that change your mind to release it as a single?
No, it wasn’t! Yeah the fans just seemed to really gravitate to it, it was getting a really great reaction live and I wanted them to have that song ahead of the tours as well so it’s been nice to be able to react off the back of the shows like that.
What venue, festival, or location has been the most exciting for you to play so far?
I played Reading this summer, and that was a dream. I went to that festival when I was 18 and saw so many bands I loved. So to get to play that festival for the first time was amazing.
And what’s your dream venue or festival to perform at in the future?
Glastonbury would be a dream, I haven’t even been to the festival so I just want to go haha.
Social media has always been a big part of The Vamps’ story (after all, you and James met on Facebook). You weren’t as active on social media before, but now you seem to be embracing it more, (especially with your food reviews hahaha). What inspired this new side of you?
Hahah, the food reviews is just an excuse for me and Josh who is my videographer/food enthusiast to go and eat in different cities so it works well for us. I think I always struggled with it and still do in some capacity, but it’s also been really enjoyable to see that on Tik Tok especially it doesn’t feel like there’s the same pressure. You can really post what you like and reach people who are interested in the same things.
As a self-proclaimed food lover, is there a Spanish dish you’ve been dying to try on tour?
I really want to have the best paella imaginable. One that locals recommend, and I wasn’t in Spain for even a night on this tour, we were straight on the bus after shows so I didn’t get a chance. But if you have a recommendation in Barcelona, when I’m back I will go there.
You’ve been in the music industry for over a decade now. Looking back at your younger self, what advice would you give him?
I would say try and stress less, I am an over thinker naturally and I think I’ll always be that way. But when I was younger it could at times get in the way of enjoyment. Not too often, I was lucky to have my best friends around me and they made it so easy. But in general just telling yourself to relax and be present.
What is a dream you’d still like to achieve as a musician? And do you have any dreams outside of music?
Outside of music I’d love to do some travelling or live in a different city for a while. I’ve travelled so much with music but never lived outside of the UK or travelled without music at the forefront. That would be fun.
Looking at your career so far, what would you consider a standout highlight?
Headlining the O2 with the boys over the years has been incredible, and staying together as long as we have. On my solo stuff, releasing the first single «Cry At The Moon», seeing it actually come to fruition after working on it for so long was really nice.
What can we expect from Bradley this 2024 and upcoming 2025?
More music, more gigs, more food reviews.
Is your solo project something short-term to see what it’s like to go solo, or do you envision this as a long-term venture alongside your work with The Vamps?
I definitely have a lot I want to explore with my solo music so yes i think it will continue alongside the band.
What are you most looking forward to in the future?
Your paella recommendation.
