[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
LIVE REVIEW: Pierce the Veil + Silverstein + Beartooth + Storm the Sky
170 Russell, Melbourne August 22nd, 2012
Review by: Callum Doig
Photography by: Sofie Marsden
Over the last ten years, Californian post-hardcore superstars Pierce the Veil have become genre’s most highlighted acts. Making their third appearance in the country to promote the release of their well-received fourth full-length entitled Misadventures, Pierce the Veil brought long time tour mates Silverstein and Beartooth (who also recently issued their sophomore Aggressive) along to take part in the festivities.
Opening proceedings were Melbournian locals Storm the Sky, who received a bit of a lukewarm reception. However, Storm the Sky’s performance and musicality didn’t live up to the standards of what a good core band usually provides. William Jarratt’s vocal skills weren’t up to scratch as he had moments of singing off-key, and he sounded a little strained when executing his harsher tones. Even though Storm the Sky have been together for a number of years, and have had a handful of releases across their history as a band, their live shows still haven’t improved a great deal over that time, and they still seem a little contrived, musically.
With Beartooth’s second ever appearance in the country, the Ohio natives proved that they have a commanding stage presence from beginning to end. Frontman Caleb Shomo has a persona that makes him seem a lot like a conductor, orchestrating the crowd in the pit. Whether Beartooth’s audience were or weren’t familiar with tracks such as Aggressive, The Lines, Hated or Body Bag, the band did everything in their power to make sure every patron would interact with them and lose their sanity as they participated in everything from walls of death to hand waving.
Silverstein then takes the stage a half hour later, with the biggest singalongs from the crowd from any of the support acts. Considering that the Canadian quintet has done several gigs in the country, whether they were new or old fans, there was much dedication put into the interface between the band and their spectators. While plenty of tracks had to be heard and visualised at 170 Russell from their debut When Broken Is Easily Fixed up to their most recent LP I Am Alive In Everything I Touch, Silverstein were a little concerned about their audience, for they assumed that some fans had retired from moshing or the fact that the show was taking place on a Sunday. But, Silverstein still encouraged the patrons into moving and drinking to try and help the party go on.
Moving onto the San Diego headliners known as Pierce the Veil, the entire room erupted when the post-hardcore quartet took the stage. Guitarist, Tony Perry walked onstage to eerie music, opening a chest and pulling out his guitar as the rest of the band stormed the stage, opening with Dive In.
Something I love about what Pierce the Veil brought to the table was that they didn’t make it feel like a concert; it felt more like a big party. Regardless of how new or old the track they were executing, from Floral and Fading, Hell Above, Kissing in Cars or Hold On Till May, there were so many vibes that got shot right into other people’s systems, and everyone had nothing but one hell of a great time. From party streamers to confetti, moshpits to singalongs, Pierce the Veil had a charisma that went to a level no other core band could try and perfect. Seconds after they closed off with Hold On To May, the crowd chanted for one more song. However, Pierce the Veil’s audience shouted ‘KING FOR A DAY!’ over and over again. And of course, the four-piece returned with Circles and finished off with one of the biggest group singing sessions I’ve ever seen in crowd participations at 170 Russell, ever. I’m happy to say that after that show, even though they’ve been a band I’ve slept on for a number of years, I walked out of the venue as a new fan.
PRE-SHOW INTERVIEW WITH PIERCE THE VEIL
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzOiGdkw-_A]
READ THE PHONE INTERVIEW ALSO >
PRE-SHOW INTERVIEW WITH BEARTOOTH
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX_mOMXX5Tg]
PRESHOW INTERVIEW SILVERSTEIN
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6dS7xOy6Uc][/vc_column_text][vc_masonry_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1471939256011-a9101d25-bbd5-7″ include=”31380,31339,31353,31379,31378,31377,31376,31375,31374,31373,31372,31371,31370,31369,31368,31367,31366,31365,31364,31363,31362,31361,31360,31359,31358,31357,31356,31355,31354″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
