By Chloe Morris
Photography Copyright 2025 © Josh Tanner for BRADLEY SIMPSON. All rights reserved.
With just a guitar, and his carefully crafted songs, Bradley Simpson dazzled at Strange Brew, in Bristol, during an intimate performance showcasing his latest work; his debut album, The Panic Years.
Simpson is no stranger to the world of music, and certainly no stranger to performing.
After years of success with The Vamps, he and his bandmates have taken the time to explore solo projects—a decision we’re all grateful for, as it had led to this incredible album. Since its release last month, Simpson has been touring an acoustic set in record stores across the UK, and I had the pleasure of attending his Bristol show.
From the moment I arrived, there was an undeniable buzz of excitement in the air. A long queue wrapped around the entire building, filled with eager fans. Inside the venue, the stage was beautifully simplistic—a single chair, guitar, lamp, and mic—all bathed in calming blue light. A projected fireplace on a TV screen added warmth to the intimate atmosphere. As the venue filled, anticipation grew, and before we knew it, it was showtime.
Simpson entered the stage in a casual—yet stylish—outfit, holding a mug, later revealed to be filled with ginger tea. As he sat down and picked up his guitar, the crowd fell to a deafening silence, waiting patiently for Bradley to begin, truly demonstrating how much everyone was in awe of his presence. It was clear from the very first note of Daisies why this album is climbing the UK charts. Its catchy chorus had the entire room mesmerised, focused solely on a man and his music.
Midway through Cry At The Moon, Bradley’s guitar string snapped. But like the seasoned performer he is, Simpson handled the situation with ease, filling the time with an impromptu Q&A.
One of the standout moments was when a fan asked: ‘Can you sign my Nintendo DS?’, to which Bradley immediately replied, ‘Absolutely!’—a small, but memorable interaction that showcased his charm and humour.
The entire set had a nostalgic, laid-back feel, as if he were an old friend playing in someone’s living room. His effortless crowd interactions led to plenty of laughs, adding a touch of chaos to the calm.
As the night went on, I was struck by the craftsmanship behind The Panic Years. The album explores the struggles, and the beauty, of navigating your twenties—an experience many in the room could relate to. At one point, Simpson reassured the audience, ‘The panic isn’t necessarily a bad thing.’
This record feels like a love letter to his younger self, a reminder to embrace the ride.
Bradley says: ‘I hope these songs can help [fans] navigate those experiences. [The songs] can become the soundtrack to their lives, whether they’re dancing, crying, going out, or whatever it is. It really feels like an opportunity to let them into a side of my life that I haven’t shared before.’
Drunk on his vocals, the audience echoed every word of Picasso, the perfect closing track. The evening was truly special—its pressure-free atmosphere allowing fans to fully immerse themselves in the music.
If you missed out on these acoustic shows, don’t worry.
Bradley Simpson is heading on tour across the UK in May, and if you’re on the fence about getting tickets—trust me, it’s a no-brainer. You don’t want to miss out.
See the full list of Bradley’s tour dates HERE.
Photography Copyright 2025 © Josh Tanner for BRADLEY SIMPSON. All rights reserved.
Text Copyright 2025 © Chloe Morris/ADRENALINE Magazine. All rights reserved.
Alisha Lawton 
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