7. XFM Studios, London, 18.05.15
Every couple weeks, London-based alternative radio station XFM host live sessions, where bands play to a select 30 people (competition winners, surprise) at their studios in Leicester Square. I’ve managed to go to three of these sessions – for The Cribs, Circa Waves, and now The Vaccines – and it really is a cool experience. They have free beer and sweets and sometimes you get to meet the band! All you do is answer a quiz question relating to the artist, and if you’re lucky enough, you’ll be invited along as one of the 30 individuals.
It’s hardly a week after the Vaccines album playback, and my friend and I find ourselves cramped in the tiny, elevator-sized recording studio room, the Vaccines on the other side of a glass wall that separates us. The session is hosted by Jo Good, the whole thing recorded live for XFM. The band play four tracks, three from their upcoming record – ‘Handsome’, ‘Dream Lover’, and ’20/20′ – as well as a surprise oldie, the fun-loving throwback of ‘If You Wanna’.