WITH A SETLIST SPANNING THEIR ENTIRE DISCOGRAPHY, PIERCE THE VEIL TOOK ALEXANDRA PALACE BY STORM, PROVING THEMSELVES STILL AS KINGS OF THE EMO SCENE.

by Josephine Best | April 13th, 2024

Pierce the Veil’s headline sold out performance at Alexandra Palace was a euphoric journey through their eclectic blend of post-hardcore and emo-rock. Their setlist spanned across their impressive 17 years of discography that has, and continues to dominate the alternative scene of music. Supported by Holding Absence and Dayseeker, the night was set to be a whirlwind of emotions and musical prowess for new and old fans alike.

The evening kicked off with Holding Absence, whose atmospheric melodies and intense stage presence warmed up the crowd perfectly for what was to come. It felt so special to witness the band have complete control over the venue of 10,000 fans, considering only 5 years ago they were playing shows at 500 cap venues.

The night felt like a turning point for this bands career, performing belters such as ‘Afterlife’ and ‘A Crooked Melody‘, it was clear to see no one was left disappointed with thousands singing along. This is just the beginning for Holding Absence and we cannot wait to see how they continue to dominate and impress. 

Dayseeker followed suit with their passionate performance, setting the stage on fire with their powerful vocals and intricate instrumentals. They set the bar high, kicking off their set with ‘Gates of Ivory,’ proving their incredible musicality and raw talent with juxtaposed heavy and melodic elements. 

A highlight of their setlist had to be ‘Dreamstate‘, which sounded just as good, if not better, live than recorded. Lucas Woodland of Holding Absence joined the rest of Dayseeker on stage for an acoustic rendition of ‘Starving to be Empty‘ for a brief break in the heavy breakdowns and epic riffs of the bands set.

Both Rory Rodriguez’s of Dayseeker and Lucas’ vocals blended beautifully together and provided a gentle intermission before Dayseeker resumed with crowd-pleaser tracks such as ‘Sleeptalk‘ and the epic ‘Neon Grave‘ to finish of their stellar set. They have since announced a UK tour later in December this year; I’m sure I am not alone in saying that, after witnessing this performance, I will definitely be catching them again.

As Pierce the Veil took the stage, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. Opening with ‘Death of an Executioner,‘ they wasted no time in showcasing their raw energy and infectious enthusiasm. The setlist was a rollercoaster of emotions, from the nostalgia-inducing ‘Caraphernelia‘ to a surprise cover of Radiohead’s ‘Karma Police,‘ which they flawlessly made their own.

‘Pass The Nirvana‘ and ‘Hell Above‘ kept the momentum going, with the band delivering each song with precision and passion. However, a highlight of the night, particularly for one lucky fan, came during ‘Hold On Till May,‘ when said fan was brought onstage to share a moment with the band and lead singer Vic Fuentes, who even gifted them one of his guitars. No doubt a memory that will last a lifetime for both the fan and everyone in attendance.

Closing out the night with ‘Bestios‘ and the anthemic emo anthem ‘King For A Day,‘ Pierce the Veil left the crowd wanting more, their infectious energy lingering in the air long after the final notes had faded away and the band left the stage.

Pierce the Veil’s performance at Alexandra Palace was nothing short of spectacular. Considering the 7-year gap between their most recent and previous album, and their last headline show having just over a 2000 capacity, they have seriously impressed and solidified their place as kings of the current emo and alternative scene. Showcasing a setlist that spanned their impressive career with a stage presence that was larger than life, they proved once again why they are one of the most beloved bands in the genre.

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