After a fair few support tours in the UK, it’s fair to say that Pierce the Veil have earned their right to come over for a headline run. The San Diego post-hardcore quartet have amassed a very loyal following: couple that with an impressive new album in ‘Collide With The Sky’ and it’s no surprise that tonight’s show is billed as sold out.
First up were The Getaway Plan, offering something slightly less heavy than the two acts that would follow. Impressive enough, they didn’t amaze, but it was a good enough watch nonetheless.
Up next were Crown The Empire who seemingly had their bass turned up to 11, seriously floor shaking. Safe to say however that they were a popular choice of support. From start ’til finish the crowd involvement was brilliant and while the sound wasn’t up to much, this didn’t matter one bit to the kids watching. The band themselves looked genuinely pleased to be on stage and put their all into the performance. You only had to see the queue of kids after their set had finished lining up to have their photo taken with the band to gauge their popularity. Expect a well-attended headline tour soon.
After a FORTY minute changeover it was time for Pierce The Veil to take to the stage and again crowd participation was in abundance. I’m not sure how this show was billed as sold out when the venue was only half full at most but those in attendance made the most of it. The band, while technically tight, suffered from sound problems with the vocals especially being way too low down in the mix with the overall sound feeling very muddy and quiet. The biggest reactions of the night were reserved for their two massive singles ‘Caraphernelia’ and ‘King For a Day’ with the latter being amongst the best things I’ve ever seen. An honourable mention does go out to the spectacular singalong for ‘Bulletproof Love’ too.
Overall it was dodgy sound that almost ruined what could have been an awesome show. The bands involved can go away with a sense of a job well done for sure but it’s difficult to enjoy a show when you’re being shaken around the room by the bass or straining to hear vocals.
CHRIS MARSHMAN