VAMPS at the Middle East - Downstairs, Boston

VAMPS' first live in Boston took place at the Middle East - Downstairs, a cool basement club in the Cambridge area. This venue, although with a smaller stage and overall size than Rams Head Live in Baltimore, perhaps fit their style better. The proximity of the band members on stage made for better interaction amongst themselves and that energy reached the fans with more ease.

This time, VAMPS began with UNDERWORLD, which is better suited for opening the live. It was also the perfect song for the Middle East - Downstairs as it's a basement-based venue with a ceiling low enough to reach without even trying. With red lights adding to the emergency alarm sound effect and the megaphone, the band took the stage with full force from the start. Next up were BREAK FREE and EVIL, both played at Baltimore as well.

The surprise came with REDRUM, a song from VAMPS' eponymous debut album. Fans headbanged along with HYDE at the beginning of the song. K.A.Z took the center of the stage during the introductory chords and stayed there for more playful interaction with HYDE, showing how comfortable with and how used to playing this older song they were. Every member on stage had a trademark movement and were in sync for REDRUM. The lyrics and rhythm transmitted the sense of despair the song portrays.

After that treat, it was time for CALLING, SIN IN JUSTICE and BLEED FOR ME, songs regularly played during this tour and heard at the Baltimore live. Though new, they were welcomed by the already euphoric fans. The continuous interaction and energy transmitted in each song made for a flawless transition between the old and new.

Compared to the Baltimore live, VAMPS seemed more comfortable on stage, perhaps because of the proximity to their fans in this type of venue or because they have had more shows after Baltimore and had gotten used to the American audience. This perception was accompanied by the fact that the look of some of the band members had also changed: HYDE had a tousled hairstyle this time and less makeup and Ju-ken wore a top-hat and a sleeveless tour T-shirt that showed off his tattoos. In general, this change made their movements more fluid and playful.

The new additions to the set list kept on coming with IN THIS HELL and RISE OR DIE. The former is perhaps the slowest song the new album UNDERWORLD has. It brought about lots of interaction between Ju-ken, K.A.Z and HYDE who got even closer to one another at the center of the stage and bounced back to their original places whenever the chorus started. It was really fun to watch despite the slower rhythm that also let the fans rest a bit before RISE OR DIE. RISE OR DIE has a catchy chorus and fans sang along for a part of it, finishing HYDE's lyrics in unison as well as screaming “Japanese Vampire” together.

INSIDE OF ME, BLOODSUCKERS and WORLD'S END brought back the megaphone singing and siren noises. The difference between the Baltimore venue and this one is that because the ceiling is so low, HYDE could dance with a hand on it and push against it to get closer to the crowd from his riser. He did that a few times during the live, which only made the fans happier.

After a break, the shouts of the fans brought VAMPS back on stage, HYDE carrying the microphone stand that had the VAMPS flag attached to it. The encore began with REVOLUTION II, a remixed version of REVOLUTION that was re-released on their album SEX BLOOD ROCK N' ROLL and was played in Baltimore. Keeping the crowd moving, the band followed with B.Y.O.B. (BRING YOUR OWN BLOOD) and finished again with their trademark song SEX BLOOD ROCK N' ROLL.

It was refreshing and fun to see the band in such a venue. There's no doubt that VAMPS made many new fans on this tour and it'll be exciting to see what the band has in store for their fans this fall. Remember to follow VAMPS on their online channels for new information in the future!

Set list

01. UNDERWORLD
02. BREAK FREE
03. EVIL
04. REDRUM
05. CALLING
06. SIN IN JUSTICE
07. BLEED FOR ME
08. IN THIS HELL
09. RISE OR DIE
10. INSIDE OF ME
11. BLOODSUCKERS
12. WORLD'S END
13. REVOLUTION II
14. B.Y.O.B. (BRING YOUR OWN BLOOD)
15. SEX BLOOD ROCK N' ROLL

VAMPS' official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAMPSofficial/
VAMPS' official Twitter: https://twitter.com/VAMPS_JPN

Read our Baltimore live report at http://www.jame-world.com/us/articles-125571-vamps-at-rams-head-live-baltimore.html.