From The Road: Vacations

 

Photos by Charlie Hardy 

 
 

OUR FAVORITE AUSSIES TOOK A WILD WEST TOUR AROUND THE STATES - and loved every bit of it. Indie rock band Vacations spent their fall around the United States bringing a performance like no other. Dressing up for the part and encouraging fans to dress in wild west attire as well, Vacations provided for a theatrical tour, bringing their music to a whole new level.

Though the group only recently wrapped up the tour, Vacations is already in album mode and ready to make 2023 one to remember. Read below to get some insight into their time on the road and all that’s to come next.

LUNA: What's been your favorite track to play live?

VACATIONS: “Actors”. There’s so much energy in a live context. We never thought it’d translate so well. I think that’s the funny experience in making records. You have an idea of what the single will be, and how people will respond, but there’s always surprises along the way. Seeing crowds mosh and dance and chant back to us when we play this song live is just wild. It makes me want to write more high-energy songs.

LUNA: Do you have any preshow rituals?

VACATIONS: Aside from dressing up as a cowboy every night with the fellas, I fell into the pre-show ritual of ordering an old fashioned before most shows. I don’t like drinking on tour these days but something about that cocktail just hits right.

LUNA: Take us through a typical show day.

VACATIONS: Hopefully we’ve slept well and were already in the city we’re performing. This means we’ll get a chance to get a good breakfast somewhere and see some sights. In the afternoon, we’ll load out into the venue and start soundcheck. Then it’s the waiting game till doors. There’s so much waiting on tour, it really isn’t the glamorous rock star life so many people imagine. We’ll probably be back stage doing our own things, or side of stage watching the supports (s/o to Jackie Hayes, Abby Sage, Harmless, Dream Girl). After supports, we’ll be getting ready to take the stage ourselves. It’s always a weird half-hour. I’m either pacing or just lost in my phone scrolling. It’s like I just want to be on stage already and get it done with. But as soon as I’m playing in front of the crowd with my best friends, I never want it to end.

LUNA: What's the best part of performing in a live setting?

VACATIONS: Getting to interact with your audience. I think we all like to break down that barrier as a band. I hate the idea of being idolised or seen as something else. I’m just like you. So getting to talk about our days, or invite the audience up on stage to sing or play guitar is always fun. But it’s those unscripted moments that make tour so special

LUNA: How have you seen your live performance evolve over time?

VACATIONS: There’s a sense of confidence and showmanship in our performances now, more than ever. Not that it wasn’t there before, but we’ve really come into our own after playing so many shows in the US this year, night after night.

LUNA: What intentions do you have for the upcoming months and the new year?

VACATIONS: We’ll have a new album and we’ll be continuing our MATES festival, along with many other surprises that I don’t see many bands doing at the moment. I can’t wait!

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Q&A, MusicThe Luna Collectivemusic, Vacations, from the road