Pierce the Veil in ABQ
Band unveils new songs, crowd-pleasers
By Shondiin Silversmith
Navajo Times
ALBUQUERQUE, March 21, 2013
(Times photo – Donovan Quintero)
TOP: Pierce the Veil lead singer Vic Fuentes holds his mic into the air as a fan holds his devil horns up Friday night at the Sunshine Theater in Albuquerque.
SECOND FROM TOP: Pierce the Veil fans raise their arms as they sing along Friday night at the Sunshine Theater in Albuquerque.
T he silhouette of hands beamed against stage lights and confetti sprinkled from the air as Pierce the Veil brought fans to their feet when they tore up the stage in front of a sold-out crowd of at least 900 fans at the Sunshine Theater on March 15.
"To be in their presence," said Cynna Pearson, 15, from Socorro, N.M. when asked why she attended the Pierce the Veil show. "One of the better concerts I've been to. I expected it to be less flamboyant, but I'm glad it was really cool."
There were three opening acts before Pierce the Veil, those included Memphis on Fire, letlive and Issues. Each opening act filled the crowd with more anticipation for the main event.
The bodies of hundreds of fans swayed back and forth as the heat of being packed on the floor amplified, but that wasn't enough to break their spirits as eager chants for Pierce the Veil filled the theater.
As the vibrations from the stacked amps rolled through the theater, hundreds of fans jumped in unison as Pierce the Veil's opening song "Hell Above," from their recent album "Collide with the Sky," echoed throughout the theater.
Quinn Edgar, 20, of Fort Collins, Colo. had waited in line since 9 a.m., wearing a turtle costume, so he could be up against the rails when Pierce the Veil hit the stage.
"It's Pierce the Veil - who wouldn't? It was a no-brainer," said Edgar who has been a fan of the band since 2010 when he heard their song "Caraphernelia" from their album "Selfish Machines." This was his third time seeing them live. "They're very passionate and exciting," he said.
Pierce the Veil formed in 2006 based out of San Diego, Calif. The band consists of Vic Fuentes, vocals, Mike Fuentes, drums, Jaime Preciado, bass and Tony Perry, guitar.
Lorraine Cano, 15, of Albuquerque N.M. was also one of the first in line. Right behind Edgar, she said this was her first time seeing Pierce the Veil and she couldn't wait. "They're unique," Cano said, adding that their lyrics are something people can relate to.
Singer Vic Fuentes addressed the crowd between songs asking fans if they had bought the band's recent album "Collide with the Sky."
An eruption of cheering echoed in the theater as he told the crowd that this album was inspired by them, because over the years in their fan mail they've noticed that much of their fan base finds healing through music.
Ending with that he led the crowd into a song he says they've never played on any other tour: "Tangled in the Great Escape," with guest vocals from opening band letlive singer Jason Butler.
"They weren't just playing," said Ivy Stover, 15, from Socorro, N.M. "They were getting into it with everyone."
"I enjoyed just getting to see them in person, rather than hearing them on a CD," said Charli Gonzales, 16, Socorro, N.M., because she was able to hear them play her favorite song. "They were amazing - way better than I expected. They did a lot of interacting with the crowd, and they kept you entertained the whole time."
Pierce the Veil played for over an hour filling the theater with an uplifting energy as they played several fan favorites like "Bulls in the Bronx," "A Match into Water," "Bulletproof Love" and they left off with an encore of their song "Kind for a Day."
If fans missed Pierce the Veil this time around they can look forward to catching them during their Spring Fever Tour with band All Time Low starting in April. The closest tour date will be at the Marquee Theater in Tempe, Ariz. on May 8.