A rainy Thursday night in Brisbane didn't present any hurdles for the adoring throng.
Streams of fans poured in quicker than the clouds could release the rain. The neon reflections in the puddles created a scene like something out of a 1980s rock video. Same era rock-pop icons, Transvision Vamp always had a knack of getting a person off the couch and onto their dancing feet.
The eager crowd brought the same passion as they would no doubt have had during their younger years. The energy of teenagers with a small cassette tape deck stereo in the bedroom or parading at school 'civvies' days in their new Transvision Vamp t-shirt was palpable.
Classic print merch was snapped up and immediately worn by groups of old friends of all genders, a testament to the enduring love for the alleyway pop sounds of the band.
The night (12 February) started with an absolute treat from New Zealand. The Response are Andy Knopp on guitar and vox, and Victoria Knopp on bass and vox.
With a hazy mix of Ash, Paul Westerberg and Arctic Monkeys, they deliver a bundle of wonderfully crafted songs.
The Response - image © Chris Searles
Andy sings while playing tasty layers of parallel melodies, while Victoria strikes an excellent Kim Deal-esque partnership with chunky bassline and vocal harmonies.
Although they're touring sans-drummer, they've had the foresight to record all drum tracks for the set. The Christchurch natives mix a tonne of new tracks with old ones ('old' being a couple of years old) into their 30-minute set.
'Their All Out Of Their Minds' kicks the set off, followed by the chunky 'You Never Run'. This reviewer has seen many openers start strong, but lose audiences to other distractions by the second song. This wasn't the case at all.
Each song offered a new texture and journey. 'A New Pair Of Pants' is excellent with hints of the famous South Island Dunedin Sound of The Clean or The Chills shining through.
'Across The Sea' opens with a dirty riff akin to 'Driving South' by The Stone Roses, or its own influence Led Zeppelin's 'Moby Dick'. It's a great rock & roll song that bops heads all the way to the back of the room.
'Novel Idea' is super kooky and demonstrates Knopp's ability. New single, 'Where Do You Run To?' ends the set, gloriously boarding the audience onto an Arctic Monkey's 'AM' magic carpet and flying them into the stratosphere.
This was a set of excellent songwriting that makes it difficult to call The Response 'up and coming'. They're already here!
Transvision Vamp - image © Chris Searles
There's no doubt that the energy of Transvision Vamp created a scene in the late 1980s. When radio was smothered in Stock Aitken Waterman saccharine and LA dude hair bands, the feminine energy and attitude of frontwoman Wendy James offered an exciting new option.
Their red-hot rise from forming in 1986 to having global hits by 1988 is head spinning. The 2026 touring line-up retains two original members, James and bassist Dave Parsons.
An elite club joins them in the form of Alex Ward (Thurston Moore Group) on guitar, drummer Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds), Matt Miller on keys and guitarist Pip Stakem.
As they kick off with 'Pop Art' album opener 'Trash City', James enters the stage to a cheer that drowns out the fuzz guitar stabs. The emotions in the room are palpable as James starts singing.
This is a life moment that many fans had most likely neatly placed on the 'will never happen' shelf. Like many in the room, the singer hasn't been able to avoid the passage of time, but it means nothing as her voice is unmistakably WENDY JAMES!
Transvision Vamp - image © Chris Searles
The bright pitch, the husk and attitude makes listening to the songs feel like our parents would scream out for us to "turn it down!". The hey-day is back and it's great.
The fun Holly and the Italians cover, 'Tell That Girl To Shut Up' gets fans jumping with joy. It's a rollicking ride with its '60s tones and iconic Transvision Vamp guitar overdrive.
James converses with the audience between each song, often thanking them for their support and love. Australia was one of the first countries to embrace the band, paving the way for international prominence.
Just when the crowd needed a breath, James tells them the band "needs their love". The crowd erupts as the mega-hit 'I Want Your Love' cascades over them. The entire sonic collage is there, including the screeching tyres intro. Production elements are adhered to and make it a richer experience for an audience who've played the record or cassette countless times.
The set is predominantly made from 1988's 'Pop Art' and 1989's 'Velveteen'. 'Sister Moon' and 'Pressure Times' give the crowd a moment to catch a breath before getting hit with 'The Only One', an excellent rock & roller from a similar camp as 'Crash' by The Primitives.
'Born To Be Sold' remains relevant almost 40 years later, thanks to lyrics about the insidious money-making machine within the world of entertainment. The band is excellent. They're tight and play their roles to the highest degree.
Transvision Vamp - image © Chris Searles
Ward's ability is on full display and Sclavunos is excellent as the time keeper. James has surrounded herself with high calibre and it's exactly what a reformed band needs.
Debut single 'Revolution Baby' bounces along, 'Landslide Of Love' exudes the DNA of The Supremes and Blondie. It's always been a perfect tune for James to explore softer and more emotive edges around her voice. 'Baby I Don't Care' ends the set with a bang. Fans sing every word, squealing as she points to them to sing it loud with her.
The encore starts with a cheeky addition of 'The Impression Of Normalcy', a Wendy James solo track. Up-tempo'd and sounding more punk, it's a banger. James asks who knew it and laughs when five people put their hands up. She knows Transvision Vamp is the biggest legacy she carries, even if the band split in 1991.
'Bad Valentine' oozes playful regret, but is quickly overshadowed by the rarely played 'Velveteen'. The title track from their 1991 album is a ten-minute rock opera with all the trimmings.
It's poles apart from the alleyway pop of 'I Want Your Love' and proves the original band were so much more than we all perceived. It's a dramatic, epic end to the night. All members are on notice to hit every chapter of the track and they deliver in spades. What an excellent way to round the night out.
Whatever your memories are of Transvision Vamp, tonight blew them all out of the water. If you came for one big hit, you got it. If you had every record and knew all the deep cuts, you got it.
Tonight was a phoenix from the fire gig for Wendy James and the music that launched her iconic pink lipstick and peroxide blonde image to the world. Welcome back from your long slumber, Transvision Vamp. We missed you!
