Pierce the Veil, the quartet reigning from San Diego, is well known for their high-energy performances and stage presence, which was proven when they won the 2014 Best Live Band at the Alternative Press Music Awards. Their award, along with their recent highly anticipated release of their fourth studio album "Misadventures," left me with high expectations for the Clive, Iowa date of the Made To Destroy tour on September 14th. To say they met my expectations is an understatement.
The night was jam-packed with stellar opening performances from two of the Alternative Press Music Awards Breakthrough Band nominees: I Prevail and Neck Deep. I Prevail got the crowd going when they performed a handful of original tracks, as well as several of their covers of well-known songs, including their rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” and Pantera’s “Walk”. Neck Deep followed with a set full of songs off their latest album "Life’s Not Out To Get You" that had the entire crowd singing along.
When it was finally time for Pierce the Veil to set up, the crew dropped a white sheet-like tapestry to block the crowd’s view, leaving the entire warehouse-style venue buzzing with anticipation. Nearly an hour later, the lights dropped and an introduction video featuring artwork from the "Misadventures" album cover was projected on the tapestry. When the video ended the sheet fell to the ground to unveil a space themed set design. Fog filled the stage as one-by-one the members of Pierce the Veil exited the spaceship on stage dressed up in the attire of astronauts. The space act was continued throughout the night.
Pierce the Veil selected a good mix of songs from three of their four albums. Among those songs were “Hold On ‘Till May” and “Kissing in Cars”; two songs that have never been performed on a US tour before this particular tour. Lead singer Vic Fuentes made the performance of the songs even more special when he took the time to tell personal stories behind the creation of the songs.
By the time their set had ended, fans were left covered in confetti and feeling a personal connection to the band. Between acting and opening themselves up to the hundreds of people who attended the concert, Pierce the Veil did not simply play their songs in front of an audience--they entertained.
