Bradley Simpson unplugged: A captivating night at Brudenell
On the night of November 13, I had the unexpected opportunity to see Bradley Simpson perform at Brudenell Social Club. Despite not being completely familiar with Simpson’s solo career, I’d still call myself a fan of The Vamps, especially as Simpson played a crucial role in the development of my teenage self’s musical (and romantic) taste and interests.
Simpson emerged on stage a little after 9, dressed in a white shirt, looking rather angelic and instantly sending the crowd into a frenzy. Shouts, screams, and several “I love you”s and “I love you too”s later, Simpson grabbed the microphone and set the tone for the night—energetic, shoulder-moving, hands-in-the-air, feet-hurting fun.
He opened with one of his unreleased songs. Though it hasn’t yet seen the light of day, the true fans in the crowd seemed to know every word by heart. His stage presence was immaculate and the way he moved was contagious. Simpson was clearly enjoying himself, something that made a new fan of his solo career, like me, enjoy myself, too. I found myself dancing to songs I didn’t even know the lyrics to, my eyes shifting between the fans reaching their hands in the air in hopes of Simpson touching them and Simpson himself whose smile of excitement seemed glued to his face.
From unreleased tracks from his upcoming album, to released songs, to covers of unanticipated songs, it felt as though you couldn’t look away. The energy Brudenell had at that moment was electrifying. The stage was on fire as Simpson brought the charisma, energy, and magnetism of a, dare I say, rockstar?
It’s safe to say the covers caught me off guard, but I found myself enjoying them wholeheartedly. His first cover was ‘Hot to Go’ by Chapell Roan and although it’s not something I would expect him to sing, Simpson’s deeper and raspier voice gave the song a unique twist that made it feel like his own. The versatility in his voice was striking, as it was clear that he adapts effortlessly to each style whilst keeping the crowd captivated. A prime example of this was his second live cover of ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac. His slowed-down version gave the song a ballad-like aura, showing that Simpson can also sing a ballad without breaking a sweat.
At that moment, Brudenell transformed into an intimate lounge. The energy softened as the room grew quiet, with the flashlights flickering on whilst Simpson’s face glowed and his warm vocals wrapped around everyone like a tight, reassuring embrace. As the night went on, Simpson’s connection with the audience only deepened. He didn’t just perform; he interacted with fans, making eye contact and sharing smiles that felt genuine and personal.
A standout moment came when he returned on stage for his final song ‘Picasso’. Although the view was partially obstructed by the fans that were hoping to get one last close look of Bradley Simpson; that didn’t stop the rest of the crowd from singing along, creating this wave of unity in the room. His vocals shone, filling the space with not only power but also warmth, leaving me eagerly anticipating the release of his debut album.
By the end of the set, I found myself surprised at how quickly the time had passed. It’s rare to come across a performer who can captivate both loyal fans and newcomers, but Bradley Simpson and his artistry did just that.
Words by Aria Aristotelous
