Live Review: Pierce the Veil

San Diego quartet Pierce the Veil returned to Birmingham for their first UK tour in six years. Alongside this, they recently announced their latest album, The Jaws of Life, which will be released in February of next year. It would be easy to think that after six years away, the PTV fanbase would be dwindling. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and the wide array of fans that queued for hours in winter temperatures was testament to this. The energy in the venue as fans eagerly awaited the band’s entrance was electric. There was no doubt that thousands of people were psyched for their return. In a sea of spectators, the venue was packed from wall to wall. There was a plethora of younger fans and those in their twenties who were clearly back to relieve their emo days (myself included).

The stage was bathed in a glow of fluorescent purple light, as the atmosphere in the room suddenly changed. The band slowly wandered onto the stage and began with the intro song ‘May These Noises Startle You in Your Sleep Tonight’, before descending into the highly charged classic ‘Hell Above’. The lights suddenly turned to red, whilst guitarist Tony Perry and bassist Jaime Preciado looked intently at the sea of wild fans who applauded and reached their hands out to the band. Lead singer Vic Fuentes proved that his voice is still perfect ten years on from the Collide with the Sky album release. Fuentes immediately demonstrated a commanding presence of the stage and crowd, which is rather unsurprising. Fuentes’s voice has been a comfort to many people in difficult times, especially to the younger, teenage fans.

The energy in the venue as fans eagerly awaited the band’s entrance was electric

The band then took the opportunity to showcase their new songs, performing numbers like ‘Pass the Nirvana’ and ‘Emergency Contact’ which came later on in the show. Whilst each member of the crowd was evidently at the show for different reasons, with different tastes towards the setlist, the band proved to a new generation that they can still craft an excellent rock song – boasting heavy guitar riffs, lots of headbanging, and vocals culminating in their quintessential screaming.

The setlist continued with ‘Bulls in the Bronx’, a familiar favourite that sent fans into a frenzy. Preciado stood at the front of the stage and signalled to fans to start jumping. Preciado displayed an electrifying stage presence, showing the ability to both get fans involved and to put on an enthralling show. Whilst Perry’s stage presence was somewhat more relaxed, he proved to fans that his panache for exhilarating guitar solos and Mariachi-infused riffs was still very much intact.

Later, Fuentes thanked fans for coming out, displaying genuine care and gratitude towards the crowd. ‘Hold on Till May’ was an emotive, acoustic number that brought the atmosphere down to a much more relaxed affair, but still had the crowd passionately singing along and transfixed on the performance.

The energy soon ramped up once again with the song ‘Caraphernelia’ from the eponymous 2010 album, Selfish Machines. Despite the fact that emo legend Jeremy McKinnon, of A Day to Remember fame, was not there to provide his famous vocals, Preciado was the perfect stand-in. It was a heartwarming touch that Fuentes dedicated the song to the generation of fans present who would have been listening at the time of its release. It was a gathering of the PTV musical community, united by their collective love of such a brilliant band, regardless of age or song preferences.

It was a gathering of the PTV musical community, united by their collective love of such a brilliant band, regardless of age or song preferences.

Fuentes also took the opportunity to introduce his fellow bandmates, including new drummer Loniel Robinson, formerly of Letlive fame. Many fans were unquestionably cynical after Mike Fuentes’s departure as drummer in 2017, questioning what the future of the band would be. However, Robinson showed an enchanting energy, demonstrating that he is a flawless new addition to the group.

The show ended with the exemplary choice of ‘I’m Low on Gas and You Need a Jacket’, which had fans singing in unison at the top of their lungs, clearly ecstatic to be present at such a captivating show.

Fuentes reappeared for the encore, sitting alone on the stage with his acoustic guitar for a much more stripped back affair. He transitioned into ‘Stained Glass Eyes and Colourful Tears’, which was a beautiful melange of dreamy vocals, soft guitar and adoring fans basking in the musical talent that was displayed before them. There was a brief moment of tranquillity before the rest of the band joined Fuentes on stage. It was evident that, for many of these fans, old and new, seeing Fuentes sing in such an intimate performance was comforting. Certainly, for those of us who were there as old-school fans, it was like seeing an old friend again after many years – someone who had provided consolation through music for thousands of people.

He transitioned into ‘Stained Glass Eyes and Colourful Tears’, which was a beautiful melange of dreamy vocals, soft guitar and adoring fans basking in the musical talent that was displayed before them.

Undoubtedly, the encore was the best part of the show. The opening riff of the bands’ most popular song, ‘King For a Day’, sent the crowd into a wild, passionate commotion. The show ended with confetti cannons, with younger fans in the stalls screaming and jumping excitedly. Regardless of age, the show was certainly a spectacle to behold. A particularly touching moment at the end of the show was when both Preciado and Fuentes reached into the crowd to swathes of adoring fans, throwing their guitar picks and spending a few minutes to really engage with the crowd. There is no question that Pierce the Veil truly care about their fans and want everyone to enjoy their shows. This was particularly visible when Fuentes called to the security team, having noticed that some fans were injured.

Despite a six year hiatus, Pierce the Veil have shown their ability to put on a truly memorable show, providing an exhilarating, enthralling and cathartic experience. Pierce the Veil’s musical career is at an all time high, and it will no doubt continue to climb.