Music Review: Union J and The Vamps -- Performing Live and Acoustically and Answering the Looming Question: Are They Really the Next One Direction?

I sometimes find myself judging an artist by their performances live and acoustically. There are artists who can't pull this act off but than there are people who can. One of these people or more like peoples are the young men of Union J. Admittedly, I was very surprised when I first heard their acoustic versions of their new songs Beautiful Life, Beethoven, and Where Are You Now. Fortunately, it was a pleasant surprise. Yes, Union J may be a boy-band and yes, they may have formed because of The X Factor like band One Direction, who they are constantly being compared to, but the fact that Union J can perform live/acoustically with almost no mistakes, has to say something. I highly hope that Union J will not get to the point where they are so sugar-coated they forget how music doesn't always have to be electronic pop.

Another band who is constantly seen being compared to One Direction are the new yet experienced group, The Vamps. I hate penning The Vamps as just another boy-band but it is very hard to be tempted not to. The Vamps consist of the 4 members Brad Simpson, James McVey, Tristan Evans, and Connor Ball. They span between the ages of 17-19, and their first single could very easily be heard on a modern day Top 40 radio stations. But. There are a number of reasons I dislike calling these guys a boy-band.

• They play all of their own instruments. 
• Several of their covers of artists like Taylor Swift, One Direction, and Austin Mahone are performed acoustically.
• They formed the band themselves--without the help of trainers or publicists.
• They actually swear in their single. "I talk a lot of sh** when I'm drinking, baby..." They don't actually say the word though there is a pause where the word is implied.
• There are no Irish dudes.
• Their voices are not perfect.

The Vamps aren't for everyone though, they most definitely have a large successful future in for them.

Union J and The Vamps perform great acoustically, are English, and yes; very attractive but are they really the next One Direction?