LIVE REVIEW: Pierce The Veil @ O2 Forum Kentish Town, London

The longer they’ve been away from the UK, the more restless fans of PIERCE THE VEIL have become. From the original emos who have been anticipating this for years, to newer fans who have absolutely no idea what they’ve got themselves into, on the second night in London, the room is packed. With a new album on the way and some extremely well received singles, it’s clear PIERCE THE VEIL are well and truly back, and the atmosphere is palpable.

Kickstarting the night is CAROLESDAUGHTER, also known as Thea Taylor, an alt-pop act also from Southern California. The first song of the night is My Mother Wants Me Dead, a dark but upbeat track, and while only a small part of the crowd is able to sing the words, the singer’s fun energy has them slowly getting into the swing of it. Cheers and supportive sounds encourage her, and she seems to become more confident as the set continues. The excited crowd are enjoying her sweetly morbid stage presence, and when she begins her last song Violent, it’s clear they recognise it. CAROLESDAUGHTER closes out her set on a high note, and it’s likely her positive attitude and unique sound will have found her some new fans.

Rating: 7/10

Next is AGAINST THE CURRENT, a pop-rock band from New York, and its immediately clear they have some fans in the audience. With a big cheer welcoming them on stage, many members of the crowd sing along to their opening number, but it’s their next song Running With The Wild Things that really gets everybody warmed up. With an addictive chorus, many people are singing the words back to them, and even the people who don’t know the song are getting involved and starting the first, tentative pits of the night. The energy is kept consistent for the next few tracks, and AGAINST THE CURRENT are really proving their stage presence and keeping the audience interested.

To satisfy the elder emos and play something almost everyone can enjoy, they cover TAKING BACK SUNDAY‘s MakeDamnSure. This was clearly the right move, and before long the entire crowd was jumping and singing along. They more than do the song justice, and vocalist Chrissy Costanza’s beautiful voice plays a huge part in this. Introducing their newest song blindfolded, Costanza tells the audience that it’s their first song released independently, and it definitely feels like a celebration played live. AGAINST THE CURRENT have made their mark on the stage of The Forum, and if the crowd isn’t already buzzing, they are now.

Rating: 8/10

There’s nothing quite like watching PIERCE THE VEIL walk on stage to their iconic May These Noises Startle You In Your Sleep Tonight introduction, and at this point the energy in the room is electric. Building the suspense to its tipping point, this short song features the first breakdown of the night, which is nothing but cathartic. Seamlessly transitioning into Hell Above, Vic Fuentes proves he still has two things: his incredible voice and an amazing stage presence. While it’s already a powerful song, this is heightened even more live by the pure emotion in Fuentes’ voice. The bridge is especially intense, and it’s possible every person in the crowd is screaming back the words.

After quickly introducing themselves, Fuentes mentions their upcoming album, prompting them to play its first single, Pass The Nirvana. Playing a new song this early into the set feels like a risky move, but the audience love it, and it sounds just as good live, if not better than the studio version. Bulls In The Bronx, while also sounding amazing, is an opportunity for their touring drummer Lionel Robinson to show what he can do, and he absolutely kills it. Putting in the exact same amount of energy and passion as the rest of the band, he fits in perfectly.

Next is both Circles and Texas Is Forever, the only tracks played from their last album Misadventures, signalling that PIERCE THE VEIL are well and truly into their next album cycle. The energy stays high, and guitarist Jaime Preciado encourages the mosh pits, which the audience happily continue. Slowing down a little bit, the band play their latest single Emergency Contact, which Fuentes prefaces by making sure that everybody knows it’s a love song. Despite only coming out recently, everybody knows the words, and the whole room is filled with people singing, making it a really beautiful moment.

Keeping spirits high, the next few songs go down incredibly, with the bands energy not wavering for even a second. Caraphernelia is a definite high point, feeling like an opportunity for everyone to completely let go, and Fuentes gives the screaming vocals, originally by Jeremy McKinnon, a good go. While its obviously not easy, he pulls it off. After walking off stage, it’s clear they’re not done, and they soon return.

After a beautiful acoustic rendition of Stained Glass Eyes And Colorful Tears, they end with the iconic King For A Day, and it’s everything that’s been expected and more. With both the band and the crowd giving it their all one last time, the pure joy and catharsis can’t be replicated. After such a long time away, PIERCE THE VEIL have proven themselves as legends in the scene, and they’ll no doubt be back soon.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in London from Ciara Wilkinson Media here: 

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