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BEARTOOTH + PIERCE THE VEIL
+ Dayseeker
@ Hordern Pavilion Sydney
27th July 2023
(Live Review)

Review by Amelia Torresan

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Pierce The Veil @ Margaret Court Arena Melbourne 26th July 2023 / Photo – Len Panecki (@lenpanecki)

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Beartooth @ Margaret Court Arena Melbourne 26th July 2023 / Photo – Len Panecki (@lenpanecki)

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The 27th of July 2023 at the Hordern Pavilion was absolutely a night to remember for Sydney heavy music fans as they attended the highly anticipated and sold out concert for American punk-rockers Beartooth and Pierce the Veil featuring post-hardcore band: Dayseeker. The room was buzzing with energy and the crowd, in their uniform black, rushed to get as close as they could to the stage to immerse themselves in the show and experience it to the fullest.  

Dayseeker began the night, strolling onto the stage dressed in various black ensembles comparable to modern day vampires.Their set was high voltage from the get go, opening with ‘Dreamstate’ from their 2022 album ‘Dark Sun.’ The members oozed confidence and looked like they belonged on the stage, interacting with the crowd with ease. Bassist Ramone Valerio was having the absolute time of his life onstage which drew the crowd into his charm. It was the perfect symbiotic relationship, the crowd and the band equally hyped over each other. ‘Burial Plot’ and ‘Homesick’ followed with more of a sombre sound, not faltering in the intensity and passion that opened. Lead singer Rory Rodriguez confessed to the crowd that ‘Homesick’ was dedicated to the person who was there for him during his darkest times, and that vulnerability paired with impressive vocals that  sounded exactly as they did on their recorded music, had everyone sharing in his emotions. 

“How do you feel the same without me?

How do you feel the same when I don’t sleep?”

‘Without Me,’ ‘Crying While You’re Dancing,’ and ‘Sleeptalk’ continued their set with a more upbeat sound. I personally enjoyed how they ordered their setlist so far as it was structured like the aftermath of a breakup from the perspective of both parties and the emotions that ebb and flow inside them. It was wholesome to see how grateful they were to the crowd for supporting them. Rory Rodriguez recalled a time when they were playing for crowds of 30-40 so it was heartwarming to see how far they’ve come now, playing to a crowd of over 5000. ‘Neon Grave’ ended Dayseeker’s time on stage, finishing with an emotional tribute to lead singer Rory Rodriguez’ father who passed away last year. The band left everything out on the stage for this last song, putting every ounce of passion and feeling they had in them into performing this song. Rory and Ramone alongside drummer Mike Karle and guitarist Gino Sgambelluri left the stage with new fans who had a desire to listen to more of their music, myself  included.

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Dayseeker @ Margaret Court Arena Melbourne 26th July 2023 / Photo – Len Panecki (@lenpanecki)

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Now I’ve personally seen and reviewed Beartooth once before in 2019, however I wasn’t aware of them or their music. Since that moment 4 years ago, I’ve become more than an avid fan and have anticipated the day that I’d be able to see them once again and be able to sing along to the songs I loved that night. The energy was so electric and intense right from the get go with lead singer Caleb Shomo bounding onstage, starting the set with ‘Devastation’. His enthusiasm was constant throughout the entire set, like a kid who was given too much sugar before bedtime. Each time he sang the lyric ‘energy’ in ‘Devastation’ it seemed as if he accumulated more and more energy and had me out of breath just watching him. One of my favourite Beartooth songs ‘The Lines’ was up next followed by ‘Disease’ and it was such a full circle moment to be able to scream-sing along to every word alongside the band after singing along in my car for the past 4 years. Their newest release ‘Sunshine’ was next, followed by ‘Bad Listener,’ two more high-energy songs both on the band’s part and the crowds, including a call and response between Beartooth and their fans. My voice was already on the brink from screaming so loud, a true testament to how excited I was to see them perform again.  

“I’m outta my cage

Breaking my spell

Think I might

Think I might love myself”

Staying in their 2018 album ‘Disease,’ next up was ‘You Never Know’ and their most recent release ‘Might Love Myself.’ “Might Love Myself” was full of positive energy and the crowd was showered with pink confetti, matching the album and the song’s music video. The song’s message hit home for each individual in the crowd who hopefully will leave the show being a little kinder to themselves, inspired by Beartooth. I couldn’t help but laugh at the fact that it was very “Barbenheimer:” pink positivity contrasted with a heavy music soundtrack. Keeping the theme of staying true to yourself, ‘Hated’ was next, unifying the crowd together in their want to rise above and stand up to the haters. 

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Beartooth @ Margaret Court Arena Melbourne 26th July 2023 / Photo – Len Panecki (@lenpanecki)

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The time to dance had come, with Beartooth whipping out their 2022 single ‘Riptide’ and my favourite Beartooth song: ‘In Between.’ If my voice was hoarse before, it was on the border of disappearing after these two songs. The atmosphere of the venue was immaculate and you could just feel how much fun people were having during these songs. One of the main reasons I was excited to see Beartooth again is because they are experts at creating a show that immerses the crowd, from the front row to the back. Back in 2019 I remembered how much fun I had watching the show as I worked as a bartender at the venue and last night was no different, Caleb adding a Freddie Mercury ‘Live Aid’ style call and response at the end of ‘In Between’ to include the crowd in the show. 

To wrap up their set, Beartooth performed one last song to end on a high, coming from their 2021 album ‘Below:’ ‘The Past is Dead,” paired with the cherry on top of the Beartooth sundae: “The Last Riff” in which the band are just jamming together and enjoying bonding over their love for music. Caleb jumped into the mosh and played guitar in the circle pit, becoming one with his fans and being hardocre as anything (you’re not hardcore unless you live hardcore – Jack Black). 

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Beartooth @ Margaret Court Arena Melbourne 26th July 2023 / Photo – Len Panecki (@lenpanecki)

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As an emo kid in the early 2010’s you were either a Sleeping with Sirens emo girl or a Pierce the Veil emo girl. At the time I was the former, but last night I switched sides the moment I heard the opening notes for one of Pierce the Veil’s newest releases ‘Death of an Executioner’ from their album ‘The Jaws of Life’ released earlier this year. The song is eerie yet upbeat, perfectly punk and Pierce the Veil. High off of their opening song, Pierce the Veil then went into a song for the old-school fans, from (in my opinion) their best album, ‘Collide With The Sky:’ ‘Bulls in the Bronx.’ Everyone screamed at the top of their lungs as soon as the opening guitar notes played, singing the entire song word for word alongside lead and backing vocalists Vic Fuentes and Jamie Preciado. Speaking of Jamie, I think some of Caleb Shomo’s energy was passed over to him because he was also bounding around the stage while playing the bass and overall just being an absolute agent of chaos in the best way possible. 

“Just want you to be my emergency contact”

After hyping up the crowd with ‘Bulls in the Bronx,’ Pierce the Veil continued to play a couple more songs from ‘The Jaws of Life’ including ‘Pass the Nirvana’ and ‘Emergency Contact’. Both songs, even though they seem more mellowed out compared to the rest of Pierce the Veil’s discography, excited the crowd just as much as their more lively and upbeat tracks.  ‘Emergency Contact’ had the crowd hugging the people who are their own emergency contacts or people they hold close to their heart at the request of lead singer Vic. This also extended to his own band where bassist Jamie Preciado knelt down to hold the hand of the security guard at the centre of the stage which had the front few rows who could see it happen in fits of laughter. 

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Pierce The Veil @ Margaret Court Arena Melbourne 26th July 2023 / Photo – Len Panecki (@lenpanecki)

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After building up the good vibes, it was time to take a more sombre turn to a song about love, neglect, hope and support in the form of ‘Hold on Till May.’ Tears were shining on every other face in the crowd, resonating with the message behind the song that was probably a reason why they held on and stayed strong in their lives. Towards the bridge of the song, Vic Fuentes brought a fan by the name of Brittany up onto the stage and dedicated the rest of it to her as tears ran down her face, she admitted as the song ended that she had been clean of self harm for 6 years that past May. There was not a dry eye in the house as Vic gifted the white guitar he had been playing on to Brittany and the crowd cheered for them both. 

Continuing with a more of a mellow tone, “Southern Constellations” led into “The Boy Who Could Fly,” both from ‘Selfish Machines’, the band’s 2010 album. ‘The Boy Who Could Fly’ was like a jolt of electricity for the crowd, energising them for the verses and mellowing them back down for the chorus like a rollercoaster in a song, but the crowd was absolutely enjoying the ride. 

“Save yourself, don’t ever look back

Nowhere to go and so we both spin around in circles”

From there, Pierce the Veil decided to end the night on a high with three well-loved songs, starting off with ‘Circles’ an upbeat, pop-punk track that prompted the crowd to dance from the moment it started. From this moment it was non-stop singing and vibes all the way through the next song ‘Caraphernelia’ in which Caleb from Beartooth came out to provide the screams. Even though it is a song about heartbreak, Caraphernelia had people singing along with a mix of joy and relatability to the meaning behind the lyrics – the inspiration behind the song coming from a girl who Vic Fuentes used to date named Cara that left some of her belongings at his place after their breakup.

To close the show, Pierce the Veil treated us to one of their best crossover songs that I think they’ve ever done that recently got a refresh of popularity thanks to a Tik-Tok trend: ‘King for A Day.’ Words cannot describe the excitement and joy that was radiating through me because I felt like I would burst. Earlier on I said you were either a Sleeping with Sirens emo girl or a Pierce the Veil emo girl. This song brought peace among the two, as Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens features on the recorded version of the song. I feel like watching this song live healed my angsty little 13 year old heart, it was everything I wanted it to be. 

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Pierce The Veil @ Margaret Court Arena Melbourne 26th July 2023 / Photo – Len Panecki (@lenpanecki)

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Last night was absolutely a concert I will remember for a long time coming, and I feel so lucky I was able to experience it so close to the stage. It was a night of pure emotion, sadness, angst, joy, all of it and I was there enjoying the ride. If you have the chance to see any of these three bands in the future, I cannot recommend it enough! 

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Pierce The Veil @ Margaret Court Arena Melbourne 26th July 2023 / Photo – Len Panecki (@lenpanecki)

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Check out Len Panecki’s (@lenpanecki) full gallery of the Melbourne event HERE

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Follow PIERCE THE VEIL
Website – Facebook – Instagram
Twitter – Spotify 

Follow BEARTOOTH
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

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Beartooth @ Margaret Court Arena Melbourne 26th July 2023 / Photo – Len Panecki (@lenpanecki)

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Press Release 18th June 2023 (below) HERE

PIERCE THE VEIL & BEARTOOTH
upgrade Adelaide venue
& Sydney show sold out on
Australian Tour 2023

with special guests DAYSEEKER

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AMNPLIFY – DB