Unlocked: Despite frequent “Trips,” watch Vacationer cater to hometown audience
Vacationer does exactly what their name would suggest.
The Philadelphia-based band has toured and traveled all over the world. They’ve shot videos in Hawaii and Costa Rica. They’ve played festivals in Iceland, and toured all over the U.S. alongside bands like Bombay Bicycle Club, Tennis, Hellogoodbye and The Naked and Famous.
But the Vacationer hasn’t always taken their party on the road. They’ve also played Philly enough times since 2012 to make it hard to keep track of. The band has brought its chill-wave sounds to venues like Union Transfer, the Theater of the Living Arts and the Dock Street Brewing Company, as well as outdoor festivals like 2nd Street Festival in Northern Liberties and the Fishtown River City Festival. Their home-away-from-tour, however, seems to be Underground Arts, where Vacationer has played a handful of shows including the two installments of the “Nude Beach” concert series the band started.
To celebrate tonight’s release show and the band’s first time performing at Johnny Brenda’s, we’re recapping a few of Vacationer’s most memorable hometown shows in the live videos below. You can also catch them playing the first day of the Made in America festival on August 30th, Vacationer being the only local band announced on the bill so far.
Union Transfer – February 2, 2012 – “Gone”
In early 2012, Vacationer had released an EP that proceeded their first LP, Gone, which dropped on March 20th of that year. In the video above, the band plays the album’s title track while opening for The Asteroid Galaxy Tour. You can tell frontman Kenny Vasoli hasn’t quite broken in his dance moves yet.
TLA – June 2, 2014 – “Everyone Knows”
A few months later, Vacationer played its second hometown show at the TLA, opening for Walk the Moon. This video shows they already have some screaming fans, and Kenny and the rest of the band seem much looser and chilled out.
Underground Arts – September 28, 2012– “Dreamlike”
In the video above, Vacationer plays “Dreamlike” at the band’s first big headlining show at Underground Arts, playing alongside fellow Philly favorites Cold Fronts and City Rain. The more intimate nature of the venue really highlights these musicians’ multi-instrumental talents.
Underground Arts – February 9, 2013 – “Trip”
Here’s a great live video from Vacationer’s inaugural Nude Beach party – a concert series the band started to bring more electronic music to Philadelphia. During their set, Vacationer also helped partiers thaw from the snowy winter and frigid temperatures.
“Shining” from Relief performed May 16, 2014
Though this video wasn’t filmed during a Philly set, it’s a little glimpse at what fans can expect tonight at Vacationer’s local Relief release show. Get tickets for the show here.
Relief is the featured album in this week’s edition of Unlocked. Download “In The Grass” in Monday’s post, read yesterday’s album review, and check back tomorrow for an interview and Friday for a post about the daily lives of the band members.