The Vamps - Music Marketing

The Vamps are a British pop rock band formed in 2012. They originally gained fame through YouTube covers and quickly gained a dedicated and loyal fanbase. The band consists of 4 members: Brad Simpson (lead vocals, guitar), James McVey (lead guitar, backing vocals), Connor Ball (bassist, backing vocals), and Tristan Evans (drums, backing vocals). In 2014, they released their debut album ‘Meet The Vamps’ which received global fame for the hits off the album: ‘Can We Dance’, ‘Wild Heart’, ‘Last Night’, and ‘Somebody To You (featuring Demi Lovato)’. 

The band has released several successful albums, including Wake Up (2015), Night & Day (2017), and Cherry Blossom (2020). They are known for their energetic live performances along with the strong fan engagement toward their music. They were one of the first bands to for their own record label (Steady Records) in partnership with a major label (Universal Music/ EMI). 

Their sound blends catchy pop melodies with rock instruments, appealing to both teen and ainstream audiences. They have toured with Taylor Swift, McFly, and Busted which has had a lasting influence on their music. They continue to tour and release music. 

Text 1, Last Night Music Video 

This music video is not narrative based – just a very fun music video. It is the ideal music video for an upbeat, happy, and energetic pop song. It stays in line with the meaning of the song, whilst also just having a lot of fun. The fact they mention at the beginning that The Vamps were given a budget to do whatever they wanted with the music video shows us that this music video is completely their idea. The indoor fair reflects their personalities, as fun and lively people.  

The colours are all vibrant and bright which continues to make the music video more fun to watch and eye catching. The camera moves a lot as it follows The Vamps whilst they have fun in this fair. The movements make us feel as if we are present, keeping the camera at eye level with the band members. The quick movements also match the pace of the song and the environment created for this video. 

The rooms that they have in the 360 room give a moment to each band member, expressing who they are in those rooms. Brad Simpson (lead singer) is represented as a rock guitarist/ solely devoted to his music since the room is literally designed to look like he is on a stage performing with the multiple amps and the bright lights. Tristan Evans’ (drums) room is only his drums and some brick background which shows his love for drumming. James McVey (guitarist) is in a room designed as an outdoor setting of a road, with an expensive red car. This would represent him as adventurous. 

Text 2, The Vamps’ Magazine Front Page

This magazine front page is typical of any magazine featuring an interview with a celebrity. At the top, it confirms that this interview is ‘exclusive’ which would make fans want it even more as if to feel special that they have read something about this big artist that maybe a lot of other fans haven’t. What I find interesting about this front page is how it is speaking on a band, yet there is only one person who we can see. They have only put Brad Simpson, the lead singer, on the front page. This could be because he was the member who received the most attention from fans, but it doesn’t really make sense why the other members of the band wouldn’t be on the front page too. The interview literally mentions the other members of the band who were interviewed, yet we don’t see them. This could be because Brad is apparently the face of The Vamps, but I still think the whole band should’ve been on it.

The title ‘silly things’ almost babies them. It speaks like a parent talking about their misbehaving children. Fans do often baby their favourite artists and act protective over them, which might be what this magazine was aiming to awaken in fans when they see this front page. The fact Brad has silly string all over him further reinforces the idea that they are ‘silly’, and represents him as fun and not too serious. Brad has always been framed as mischievous and cheeky by the media so this magazine front page is just using this to draw more attention from the fans with the familiar representation of him.