It was a talent-packed night celebrating Pierce the Veil’s first of three sold-out nights at the Kia Forum. With supporting artists Beach Weather and fellow emo-rock giant, Sleeping With Sirens, these concerts marked a special achievement for the San Diego natives.
Beach Weather kicked things off and this alternative / indie-rock band easily held their own at the Forum, despite varying a bit in genre. They were able to capture the eyes and ears of the early audience with their high-octane performance.
Beach Weather brought a ferocity and passion that blows many other typical indie-rock bands out of the water. With fans in the front row, they opened with “Chit Chat,” and “Unlovable.” With the response they received to their opening, their music appeared to be very well known to the early birds at The Kia Forum. Other crowd favorites that got everyone going were “High in Low Places,” “Hardcore Romance,” “Dressing Room Tattoo,” “Tulips,” and “Swoon” rounded out an energetic set.
They closed their set with the certified-platinum song, “Sex, Drugs, Etc.” By the time their last song ended, they had captivated the crowd and dominated the stage just like a headliner act, leaving the audience energized for the bands to come.
By the time Sleeping With Sirens (SWS) was set to begin, the Forum was almost full as attendees knew this was going to be something they wouldn’t want to miss. Cheers roared as the Florida band hit the stage and opened with “Kick Me.”
A couple of songs in and the band took us on a trip down memory lane by playing two songs off their 2011 album, “Let’s Cheers to This.” These throwbacks immediately captured the hearts of early SWS listeners and newer songs brought a full picture of what the band currently stands as.
To wrap up their set, frontman Kellin Quinn, bassist Justin Hills, guitarists Nick Martin and Tony Pizzuti, and drummer Matty Best brought the house down with three oldies: “Do It Now Remember It Later,” “If I’m James Dean, You’re Audrey Hepburn,” and “If You Can’t Hang.”
This sent the entire venue into a frenzy as these are the same songs that put Sleeping With Sirens on the map. There was moshing, crying, and singing at the top of their lungs – from everyone on the floor, to the people in the nose bleeds. It was truly a remarkable experience to be alongside thousands of people singing their hearts out.
To wrap up their set, Kellin Quinn and company brought the house down with 3 oldies, which included “Do It Now Remember It Later” and “If You Can’t Hang.”
This sent the entire venue into a frenzy as these are the same songs that put Sleeping With Sirens on the map.
There was some breathing room for the floor attendees during Sleeping With Sirens’ set, but after it was over, the crowd surged together in an almost magnetic fashion and packed together tightly, all trying to get the best view of the stage as possible.
Murmurs and side conversations were quieted a few minutes later as “El Rey” by José Alfredo Jiménez rang throughout the Forum, signifying the soon-to-be entrance of Pierce the Veil (PTV). As three of four original members walked out – Vic Fuentes (vocals, guitar), Jaime Preciado (bass), and Tony Perry (guitar) – roars erupted. With Loniel Robinson on drums, the guys were ready to blast the roof off.
From the first note of the first song, the crowd was captivated by PTV’s ability to sound just as good, if not better, than their recorded albums. Fuentes continues to bring impressive vocals while the remainder of the band has been keeping the energy high and fans engaged for over a decade.
This setlist in particular filled the Forum with 17 years of anthems, each unlocking its own era of nostalgia, all condensed into one single night. Opening with “Death of an Executioner” off the most recent album was a genius way to get energy turned up to an 11 right from the jump, but also showcased how the band never lost their identity, even after a seven-year hiatus.
Transitioning straight into “Bulls in the Bronx” set the crowd on fire as they started their trip down memory lane. A few songs later, they took the fans all the way back to their first album, “A Flair for the Dramatic.” In fact, they ended up playing three songs off that album: “I’d Rather Die Than Be Famous,” “Yeah Boy and Doll Face,” and “Wonderless”).
After playing 15 songs, including “Bulletproof Love,” an acoustic version of “Today I Saw the Whole World,” “Hell Above,” and “Circles,” the band dropped back to gather themselves during the encore. Screams and cheers were resounding, “PTV! PTV! PTV!”
To no one’s surprise, the band came back out and Fuentes said, “We have three more songs left, and they’re old ones,” much to the crowd’s delight.
This was one of the best encores I have had the pleasure to see. It started with “Disasterology,” a song whose emotional impact on the crowd became very apparent as the chorus was sung loudly by all in attendance.
These emotions carried into the next song, “Hold on Till May.” If you’re a fan of Pierce the Veil or their genre in general, you know just how much this song means to the emo community.
The video screens were showing images of the crowd, and many audience members were in tears, sing-screaming this song at the top of their lungs. The atmosphere changed to one that was supportive and loving of these individuals and honoring the tough subjects that the song dives into.
However, the energy quickly shifted as they brought out a special guest to share their last song, Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens. Instantly, every person in the building knew what song was next as they have only one song that features this superstar friend of theirs. “King for a Day” was easily the best song of the night.
The crowd somehow got even closer, more energized, and more engaged the instant the song started. Every person sang every single word as if their life depended on it, no one missing a beat. This song solidified the proof that Pierce the Veil and Sleeping With Sirens have exactly what it takes to sell out large venues nationwide, even three nights in a row!
These emotions carried into the next song, “Hold On Till May”. If you’re a fan of Pierce The Veil or their genre in general, you know just how much this song means to the emo community.
The screen displays were showing the crowd during this song and many of the audience members could be seen in tears as this song is being screamed at the top of their lungs.
Pierce the Veil continues to be one of the emo community’s favorite bands and for good reason. They have brought the energy, passion, and dedication to every show they have played over the years and I don’t see that stopping any time soon.
This author gets the impression that PTV is just getting started in their reintroduction to the world and that it’s only going to get better from here.
