Pierce The Veil Was “King For A Day” Virginia
With only 4 shows on their very short Fall 2024 tour, Pierce the Veil kicked off this round in Norfolk, Virginia at the Chartway Arena. It has been over a year since Pierce the Veil performed in Virginia, so starting this run in my hometown was an iconic moment that I’m stoked to have been a part of.
Opening the night, we were graced with the band's late-night drive home from Texas. Admittedly… I had never heard of them and quickly regretted not giving them a quick listen as their sound completely captivated me. Alternative, indie, kinda soulful, kinda jazzy – you know, the kind of vibe where you wave your phone in the air with the flashlight on. They started the show with a bang and the crowd seemed to appreciate their vibe. The lead singer announced that the last time they played in Virginia, they performed to less than 100 people, so I’m glad we could welcome them back with a completely sold-out show.
Jack Kays took the stage next with old fans belting out every lyric and quickly adopting a slew of new fans. His music touches on all the topics that we as a society find uncomfortable to speak about – mental health, addiction, and depression to name a few – and turns the venue into a safe place for anyone who cares to watch and listen. With his punky, angsty sound, the raw emotion was palpable. The entire room seemed to soak up his energy and by the time the set was over, we were aching for more.
Next up, our headliner, Pierce the Veil. With anticipation building all night, lead singer Vic Fuentes threw fuel on the fire by walking out and screaming into a literal bullhorn – very fitting for their first song of the night “May These Noises Startle You In Your Sleep Tonight.” The crowd had no other option than to go absolutely ballistic. Pulling songs from their previous four albums, everyone had a song (or ten) that they could resonate with, and it was quite a sight to witness. I eventually found my way to the mosh pit, and my PTV family and I let all of our worries slip away for a moment. The energy was indescribable. My first time seeing Pierce the Veil was in 2012, when I volunteered at Warped Tour solely to meet the band and watch them from the stage. Twelve years later, experiencing this opening show and having the opportunity to capture them in my hometown of Norfolk, VA is the definition of a full circle moment. The show ended with sparks and fire and flames – literally – and trust me, we’ll all be back for more.
If you’ve never seen Pierce the Veil live or care to see them again, they will be back on the road in May of 2025 for their “I Can’t Hear You” World Tour. I encourage you to experience everything they have to offer and start a new revolution.