The Vaccines: When music is the right medicine

The Vaccines are in fine form ahead of their headline slot at Longitude, writes Ed Power

VACCINES singer Justin Hayward-Young regrets nothing — not even a controversial songwriting tryst with One Direction. Surely it crossed his mind that pitching in with the world’s biggest boyband might tarnish his punk-pop credentials? “It was a very casual thing,” he says, sounding vaguely peeved I’ve brought it up. “Nobody would even have known if one of them hadn’t tweeted about it.”

While nothing came of their jam session, he is still immensely proud that he ventured where other alt-rock frontman might have feared. One Direction make pop music — so do The Vaccines, after a fashion. Why should he be embarrassed?