Words by On June 20, Vacations performed in New York at Warsaw Concerts in lieu of their Holy Grail Tour to celebrate their upcoming album, Pursuit of Anything. To the relief of fans, the Australian indie band held the show after their headlining MATES Festival, scheduled for the same date, was cancelled a week before. Vacations helped make the show affordably priced for a change of plans, drawing in fans who still wanted to make it out for a night of live music.
Thelma Plum, Gamilaraay pop singer-songwriter, opened the night with her band prior to Vacations taking the stage. They played a song called “Freckles” from her latest album I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back. “I think they are the most beautiful kisses from the sun,” Plum said. Later, they played the track “When It Rains It Pours” from past EP Meanjin. Thelma Plum and her band were energetic on stage without missing a beat. The Brooklyn crowd responded with that exact liveliness.
Vacations kicked off their set with “Over You” from their 2024 record No Place Like Home, followed by “Midwest.” The crowd was already hollering and screaming along to each song. They also included one of their more popular singles, “Young,” from their upcoming album Pursuit of Happiness, with fans singing back every word. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Campbell Burns yelled out “What’s up, New York?” met with cheers from the audience.
They introduced another single, “Holy Grail,” beautifully mellow as it picked up on the chorus. Burns later announced, “We’re going to play three songs back to back from our first album Changes,” delighting everyone with “Soft,” “Moving Out,” and “Honey.” Vacations checked in with each section of the crowd and zipped back to playing more tracks like “Glow” from their second album Forever in Bloom.
Throughout the night, the Vacations leaned heavily into celebrating Pursuit of Happiness, running through seven or eight tracks straight from the new record with single “Holy Grail.” They were playful with the audience all night, joking between songs and making sure fans of every era, from Changes to their most recent work, had something to sing along to. Alongside Burns, Jake Johnson held down bass, Nate Delizzotti supported on lead guitar, and Joseph Van Lier held down drums, rounded out by a touring pianist who added more texture to the band’s larger moments. Vacations will release their upcoming album Pursuit of Anything on October 2.
Words and Photography by BellaJoli Gedeon
Vacations Live Review: at Warsaw in New York City June 20th photo by BellaJoli Gedeon
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