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The grand tour

The Vaccines are (left to right) Pete Robertson, Justin Young, Freddie Cowan and Arni Hjorvar
The Vaccines are (left to right) Pete Robertson, Justin Young, Freddie Cowan and Arni Hjorvar

They hammer out their garage rock in songs not much more than two minutes long but The Vaccines’ hectic touring schedule means they won’t have time to play much longer when they come to Lounge On The Farm. Chris Price caught up with singer and guitarist Justin Young.

Sitting in a cab on the way to Heathrow, The Vaccines’ frontman Justin Young is far more sprightly than he should be.

The festival season – which will bring them to Lounge On The Farm next weekend – is in full swing. Earlier today the band returned from the Ibiza Rocks festival and they fly out to Stockholm this evening, before moving on from there to “some place in Finland”.

Having not long finished a spell supporting Arctic Monkeys on tour in the States, things are refusing to let up for the foursome credited as heralding “the return of the great British guitar band”. Sounding tired but with a contentment in his voice, Justin is not bothered about the lack of sleep.

“We are playing in a new environment every time we step on stage so we still feel enriched,” said the 24-year-old.

“We are all pretty tired but that is not to say it has impacted on the enjoyment. A lot of people get tired working. There is a lot of travelling. I have had one night at home in the past six weeks. But it is still good fun.”

The Vaccines’ Lounge On The Farm show will be their second gig in Kent, having played at Tunbridge Wells’ Forum in February. The show had to be put back a month after Justin came down with a throat infection which had him coughing up blood. He worryingly only goes as far as to say “I think it is better now” but he does remember the intimate Forum gig with fondness.

Justin Young performing at The Vaccines' gig at Tunbridge Wells' Forum
Justin Young performing at The Vaccines' gig at Tunbridge Wells' Forum

“I absolutely can remember it. I remember pushing our equipment up to the car park in the mud.

“I prefer gigs where you are up close to the crowd a lot more. I don’t like barriers. In every performance it is important to try and connect with people and the closer you are to fans the more it makes for a better gig.”

The Vaccines play Lounge On The Farm on Friday, July 8, where they will be supporting The Streets for one of the urban group’s final ever gigs before frontman Mike Skinner wraps them up for good this winter.

Justin and bandmates Freddie Cowan (guitar) Árni Hjörvar (bass) and Pete Robertson (drums) are hoping to see as much of the festival as possible.

“Like most people I have got a copy of [The Streets’] Original Pirate Material in my CD collection” said Justin. “It is a great record.

“If I get time I will definitely stick around. Usually we are just in and out which is quite annoying. We are big fans of music so whenever we can check out bands we do.

“The good thing about being in a band is you get to see music for free.”

Despite the busy touring schedule, Justin – who used to perform as a solo artist under the name Jay Jay Pistolet – has put some time aside to write material for a second album.

“I have done a bit of writing but I have not had time to get in the studio,” said Justin.

“I absolutely want to keep creating music and I don’t want to wait around. I find writing on tour hard though. At the moment I have written most of the material, much like the first album, but hopefully the second will be more collaborative creatively.”

The Vaccines perform at Lounge On The Farm on Friday, July 8, the day The Streets headline. The three day festival at Merton Farm, Canterbury, is also headlined by Ellie Goulding. with support from Example, Jamie Woon and Katy B on Saturday, July 9, and Echo and the Bunnymen on Sunday, July 10.

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