Vamps 2009
Warped Tour/Sonar/Otakon July 2009
Japanese rock band "Vamps" recently had a limited US tour that included 4 dates on the east coast. MusicBox was fortunate enough to be able to attend two of these performances. For those not familiar with the sensation that is Japanese rock music the excitement over this tour might seem unusual. But for the US fans of Japanese artists a bands US engagement can bring near hysteria. Kevin Lyman, founder of Warped Tour and Taste of Chaos is aware of their popularity and has been adding Japanese artists to his tours for several years now. These artists and others who have toured the US independently have been met with fan adoration usually reserved for superstars. Vamps fans for the east coast dates traveled from as far away as Australia and Japan to catch a single concert appearance by the band. MusicBox caught up with Vamps at the Columbia, MD date of Warped Tour where they were met with great enthusiasm by fans singing along to their songs, some of whom bought their Warped Tour tickets with the sole intention of catching Vamps set.
A few days later the band took the city of Baltimore by storm. Fans lined up outside the Sonar nightclub starting at 5am and by mid day the line wrapped around an entire city block. The concert was held the day before Otakon, the Nation’s largest fan-run anime convention, which has many Japanese Rock fans in town. Concert attendees were beyond excited to not only catch the band live but waited in eager anticipation to catch even a glimpse of the bands members. The lucky first 200 people in line were able to attend a meet and greet autograph session and many were completely overwhelmed by the experience. Some fans had to be helped out of the building after meeting Hyde, formerly of the band L'arc en Ciel, and K.A.Z. as they were overcome with excitement with many fans nearly fainting, and most with tears of joy on their faces. Later that evening the fans, many of whom had been in line for over 12 hours, were treated to a nearly two hour long concert by Vamps. The next day members of Vamps appeared at a question and answer panel at Otakon filling a large panel room with fans who again lined up for hours hoping for even a glance of the superstars. They were not disappointed as the band fielded questions from the audience and talked about their visit to the US. Those in attendance hope these rare US appearances won't be the bands only visits and that they will return to the states soon.
Visit the Vamps website
MusicBox wishes to thank Vamps and their management, the Van's Warped Tour, Sonar nightclub and Otakon for their help with this article.
Article and all photos copyright MusicBox Entertainment 2009
