By Uchechi Adeboye and Annie Barber
Bradley Simpson has spent over a decade in the music industry, starting out as the frontman of The Vamps. Now stepping into a new chapter of his career with his debut solo album, ‘The Panic Years’, on the horizon. We sat down with Bradley to reflect on his 20s, the changes he wants to see in the industry, and what fans can expect from this era of his career.
You’ll be Fine
When asked about what he hopes fans take away from the album, Bradley didn’t hesitate. “The concept and inspiration behind starting a solo project and writing this album was looking back at my 20s. It has been a mad ten, eleven years of my life that I haven’t really had a chance to process. And that’s what this album was. I think that’s [why I went with] ‘The Panic Years’ because there were a lot of amazing things, and then there were a lot of times where I felt really lost, or not sure what I was doing, or where I was going, or how to handle myself.”
The theme of uncertainty isn’t exclusive to the chaos of being in a globally successful band; it’s something Bradley believes is universal: “I think that’s something that everyone goes through when they’re in their 20s and feeling like, ‘Is this the degree that I really want to do? Is this the job that I really want to do? Is this exactly where I want to live?’ There are so many questions that you’re expected to just know and you don’t.”
As two women in their early 20s navigating the ups and downs of life, we tell him that we relate immensely and appreciate his candour. Bradley nods knowingly and says, “You’ll be fine. That’s the vibe of the album: it’ll be fine.”
From The Vamps to the Solo Stage
Stepping out as a solo artist has been an adjustment, but not in the way people might think. He says that he never felt like he lacked creative freedom in the band. “We had a really, and still do have, a really good communicative relationship within the band, so everyone feels heard. I think that it was more that it was nice to dive back into influences that I grew up on, that I haven’t had the chance to”.
Still, the energy of performing live remains one of his biggest thrills. With his upcoming solo tour, fans can expect an even more personal experience. “It’ll be the album in full, which will be exciting, because I’ve been playing a lot of the album when it hasn’t been out, but there’s still three or four songs that I haven’t played. I haven’t done a Vamps cover yet, and I feel like maybe this tour is the time to do one.” he teases. He sums it up by saying that the tour will entail “sweatiness and good vibes.”
What’s the song he’s most excited to perform? “‘Getting Clear’, I really love that song, and getting to play it. There’s a song called ‘Almost’ that I’m really excited for people to hear and also to play live as well.”
Giving Back to Birmingham
Beyond his music career, Bradley has been involved with Birmingham Children’s Hospital for several years. “It opens your eyes to how much the hospital does, not only for the patients, the kids, but also their families. They’ve created an atmosphere that puts the kids at ease and makes it feel like as easy a process as it can be, and the same for the families. Hopefully I can help and do as much as I can within the Children’s Hospital, because it’s amazing work that they’re doing.”
He says that he’s also passionate about building creative communities outside of London: “Growing up in Birmingham, there wasn’t a huge amount of opportunity for me. The only option really felt like moving to London, which is what I did and I loved that. In Birmingham, there’s so many good people, be it actual artists or singers or songwriters or producers, so trying to build a more of a community here I’d love to do in the future. It’s the same in a lot of different areas. You see so many people on the outskirts who have to uproot their lives to do it.”
“I think some people’s dreams or goals potentially get a ceiling put on it, because there’s not the opportunities, so they’ve almost stopped before they’ve started. You want to help people fulfill that as best as you can before they need to step into bigger cities or bigger arenas.”
Soundtracking His Life
We asked Bradley if he had to pick one song that represents his journey, and he landed on ‘Go With The Flow’ by Queens of the Stone Age. “I remember being like 12, 13 and that was the first album that I ever listened to top to bottom, and then I just rinsed it for years. I started listening to that again at the beginning of this solo album writing process. That album’s always been one that I’ve come back to.”
When asked to describe the aura of his music in a colour, he says “A reddy, burnt orange, maybe. Panic evokes red but I don’t want panic to necessarily be attributed to a scary thing. I think there’s moments of elation in panic; really good things can happen out of panic.”
As we wrap up, Bradley takes a moment to reflect. “Music has been the thing that’s helped me through so many things, and that’s where I feel like I can hopefully help”.
With ‘The Panic Years’, it’s clear he’s doing just that.
You can read the full version of this interview with Bradley Simpson in the second print edition of Karma! Magazine coming soon!
Catch Bradley Simpson on tour in the UK and Australia, tickets available now!
17th May 2025 | O2 Institute – Birmingham, United Kingdom
19th May 2025 | Tramshed- Cardiff, United Kingdom
20th May 2025 | SWX – Bristol, United Kingdom
22nd May 2025 | Engine Rooms -Southampton, United Kingdom
23rd May 2025 | O2 Forum Kentish Town – London, United Kingdom
27th May 2025 | Northcote Theatre – Melbourne, Australia
28th May 2025 | Princess Theatre – Brisbane, Australia
30th May 2025 | Metro Theatre – Sydney, Australia
Leave a Reply