Wendy James & Co restore the bite to their songbook from the late 1980s – with able support from a Liverpool sibling trio.
“We’re not doing a polite session player rendition of yesteryear,” Wendy James told The Yorkshire Post ahead of Transvision Vamp’s return to Leeds. This statement of intent framed the tour as something more combative than a nostalgia exercise.
Sparked by an approach from Australian promoters in 2025, the revival reunites James with original bassist Dave Parsons, rather than reassembling the entire original band. Joining them are guitarist Alex Ward and Pip Stakem, keyboardist Matt Millership and drummer James Sclavunos. This rebuilt six-piece had the task of not just revisiting the songs, but restoring the bite that saw them burst onto the late 80s music scene with a blend of punk attitude and pop sensibilities.
The same attitude was in evidence from Liverpool sibling trio Yee Loi who ripped through a set of fast-based three-minute bursts packed with youthful energy. Matilda delivered vocals from behind the drum kit, with Rose taking over on occasion alongside guitar duties while the Don Don’s bass anchored all the energy.
A recent appearance at Yungblud’s Beautifully Romanticised Accidentally Traumatized fashion store and music space served as their announcement of a debut album on the horizon.
The audience was mixed in age but leaned towards those who remembered Transvision Vamp’s original heyday, and they warmly appreciated the spirt of the young support act.
As Transvision Vamp took the stage, Wendy James appeared in cut-off blue denim shorts and a Born To Be Sold T-shirt, a look that connected naturally with the punk-pop style she made her own when peroxide hair, heavy eyeliner and pink lipstick became her visual signature. The shirt carried its own piece of band history.
Parsons had rediscovered a band-only edition from 1989 era in storage and given it to James to wear on tour inspiring its revival as this year’s official tour design. A not to the heyday connecting to this present incarnation.
The intention for this not to be just a nostalgia experience would always be a difficult ask, with a repertoire of songs that the audience knows all the words to by heart. Trash City opens and is swiftly followed with Tell That Girl To Shut Up and I Want You Love.
The opening salvo has the Academy singing at the top of their voices. The bands delivery delivers on the intention with tight delivery and an obvious connection between those on-stage. James fills the gaps with tales of times past with recollections of early appearances in Leeds.
The songs come predominately from Pop Art and Velveteen which were packed with great tunes. A third album Little Magnets Versus the Bubble and Babble went unreleased in the UK despite the fabulous album title. James jokes with Parsons about his look for the video as she introduces If Looks Could Kill.
By the time the smash hit Baby I Don’t care was greeted with a huge cheer, it was obvious that nostalgia or not, this was mission accomplished for this incarnation of Transvision Vamp.