Pierce The Veil | Against The Current |
O2 Forum Kentish Town, London
3rd December 2022

Words & images by Felix Bartlett

San Diego’s very own Pierce The Veil triumphantly returns London for their first show in the UK in over 6 years!

With their new album – ‘The Jaws of Life’ – just months away, the legendary emo quartet is back in the big smoke seemingly picking things right off where they left off with a high octane and unforgettably outstanding performance.

Having just blown up across the TikTok scene with their incredible single ‘King For a Day‘ even being covered by the likes of Lizzo, Pierce The Veil have returned for not just one but two sold out shows back-to-back at the O2 Forum.

Before the chaos ensued and Pierce The Veil took to the stage, fans were greeted to support act Against The Current, again another fantastic blast from the past with a few surprises up their sleeve.  Lead vocalist Chrissy Costanza made no hesitation in taking to the stage and put on a spectacular performance with an exceptional cover of Taking Back Sunday‘s ‘MakeDamnSure’ followed by a surprise announcement that Against The Current will be returning to headline The Forum next year!

As the evening continues eager fans pour back into the main floor, packing out the entire venue for a second day running. Pierce the Veil head onto the stage of O2 Forum Kentish Town to the sound of the first two tracks off their 2012 album, ‘Collide with the Sky’ – ‘May These Noises Startle You In Your Sleep’ and ‘Hell Above’. As soon as the first guitar string was struck the erupted with a confetti cannon filling the room with streamers.

A decade has passed since the release of these tracks, yet Vic Fuentes’ voice has never sounded better, bringing not only his incredible vocal range to this show but also incredible energy with the lead singer darting back and forth across the stage before returning to the mic stand. It’s safe to say Pierce The Veil have never sounded better!

Out with the old and in with the new. Following their initial throwback tracks as an opener to the show Pierce the Veil followed with their latest track ‘Pass the Nirvana’, an explosive showcase of how the bands technical guitar work remains unbeaten and still to this day stands out in the post-hardcore and pop punk genre. It was clear to see that fans at their sold-out show absolutely loved their latest track with crowd surfers flying over the barrier left, right and centre.

Overall fans were treated to a short and sweet set filled with memorable anthems along with some new and tantalising tracks spanning across the bands almost 20-year career. Members Vic, guitarist Tony Berry, and bassist Jaime Preciado put on an unforgettable performance and put in every ounce of energy they had – and it paid off with triumphant success.