Vega - The Underworld, London 09/10/21
As it had been eighteen months since my last, pre-pandemic, live gig, I jumped at the chance to check out melodic rockers Vega on their return to touring at London’s Underworld. Eighteen months seemed like a very long time until I realised Vega and I last crossed paths, in the live arena, ten long years ago (March 2011) at London’s (sorely missed) Borderline. Vega were newcomers in those days opening for Houston, an act coincidentally now also on the Frontiers label.
After a quick temperature check at the door, the Underworld seemed a lot brighter and more accommodating than I remembered for a venue in a basement under the World’s End pub. This might have been due to a pre-gig pint in the nearby Black Heart pub where ordering a beer requires a guide dog or, at the very least, a flashlight. Back in 2011, a fledgling Vega were fresh-faced, bushy-tailed and their sound hinted at the possibilities of real crossover potential. They had the songs (’Back To Life’ still sounds great in 2021) courtesy of the Martin brothers; James who plays keys and bassist Tom. The duo had already enjoyed success as songwriters contributing to albums by seasoned performers such as House Of Lords, Ted Poley and Danny Vaughn. They had also landed Nick Workman, a charismatic frontman who could hit all the notes and add to the songwriting dynamic. Things certainly looked promising…
As I’m sure most of you know, it never quite happened, but it doesn’t seem to have dampened the enthusiasm of the band or their hardcore fan base. Album number seven, the recently released ‘Anarchy and Unity’ might well be the best of their career, while an inability to tour in support of previous album 2020’s ‘Grit Your Teeth’ left the band chomping at the bit to get back on a stage. Vega circa 2021 has been refreshed with two new members in their ranks; ex Inglorious guitarist Billy Taylor and veteran drummer Pete Newdeck joining the Martin brothers, Workman and original guitarist Marcus Thurston or at least that was the plan…
A positive Covid test for Thurston threw a spanner in the works but the band ploughed on with the gig minus the unlucky guitarist. You’ve got to admire their professionalism, as many bands would have taken the easy option and cancelled, but the guys retooled the set at short notice and hit the stage full of vim and vigour, blazing through a seventy-minute set that included material from throughout their career. Blessed with a sound mix that was loud and clear, allowing Workman’s vocal and Taylor’s impressive guitar playing to cut through, but with plenty of bottom end thud (I’d almost forgotten how great it is to feel the air move thanks to Newdeck’s pounding drums), Old favourites ‘White Flag’ and ‘Every Little Monster’ rubbed shoulders with the likes of ‘Beautiful Lie’ and a stormin’ ‘Sooner Or Later’ from the new record highlighting that Vega in 2021 are a little tougher than before, adding a more modern-sounding twist or two to their sound, but the backing vocals are still very much drawn from the old school Bon Jovi/Def Leppard songbook. Those backing vocals were a highlight of the set with Newdeck, and especially Taylor, belting out the bv’s like their lives depended on it.
Tonight’s attendance was decent, if not heaving, but as we all must appreciate, there are plenty of factors that might influence concert-going as we come out of the pandemic and people/bands find their feet. Luckily, the Vega fans are up for a singalong with Workman’s every attempt to get the crowd involved well-received while spontaneous chants of “Vega, Vega, Vega” showing the audience were up to the task and very keen to voice their support. You’ve got to admire Vega, ten years into their career and with a terrific album to promote, they maintain the enthusiasm to treat Camden Underworld like Wembley Stadium. It’s not too late for Vega to push on, a support slot on a name tour would doubtless help, but in the meantime, the band have dates booked for the rest of 2021 and a good night out is guaranteed.
