Pierce The Veil plays through St. Louis downpour

My first show back at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater was one for the books. Storm clouds loomed over the venue as I approached, darkening the sky while I searched for the staff parking lot and made my way to the box office. As I walked, I said a prayer to whichever god controls the weather that the storms would hold off long enough for me to at least get a couple good photos of the headlining band, Pierce the Veil.

The first band on the stage was Beach Weather… the calm before the storm, if you will.

It’s a fitting name for a band, considering there was virtually nothing standing between the crowd and a sudden torrential downpour. Beach Weather was a very groovy, smooth start to the evening. Formed by singer and guitarist Nick Santino (formerly of A Rocket to the Moon), Reeves Powers on vocals and bass, and Sean Silverman on lead guitar, the band was also joined on tour by Alex Silverman and drummer Ryan Gose. Their 2022 hit “Sex, Drugs, Etc.” is my personal favorite.

The rain continued to hold as the stage was changed over. Following Beach Weather was a band that we all know and love from the emo/post-hardcore heyday of the early 2010s, Sleeping With Sirens. Kellin Quinn’s pushing vocals are something you never forget; they immediately brought me back to my high school days listening to Sirens, MCR, and all the other emo staples. Feeling like a teenager in the pit, the band’s acrobatic performance and energy felt doubly impressive. With Tony Pizzuti shredding the guitar, Matty Best absolutely destroying the drums, and Justin Hall and Nick Martin on rhythm and bass guitar, the stage was full of guys who know how to use it. Quinn’s microphone felt like it spent more time in the air than it did in his hand, which is crazy, considering the nonstop lyrics he was delivering.

As the stage was reset for a second time, the storm clouds loomed huge on the horizon, accelerating the sunset.

It was dark by the time the lights went out and the crowd screamed in anticipation of Pierce the Veil. This was my second time shooting them… the first was at Lollapalooza last year. From the photo pit, you really get a sense of what a band’s most devoted fans are like. You’re right there chatting with the people who love them enough to get there early and stand all night to get front row spots. I noticed that night the same thing as I did at Lolla — PTV fans are all-in. The screams and general energy from the crowd could be heard and felt more than the massive subs in front of me, as the curtain dropped and the silhouettes of the band appeared onstage. Heavy bass and aggressive drums shook the photo pit from the front and the roar and movement of the crowd felt like an ocean behind us.

Rivaling the acrobatic showmanship of SWS, Pierce the Veil surely made for awesome photos and an even more memorable night for the crowd, who loves them so much. Lead singer Vic Fuentes, lead guitarist Tony Perry, and bassist Jaime Peciado were never in the same place for more than a couple seconds. Criss-crossing the stage, leaping off risers, and staring deep into the raging crowd were just a few of their favorite moves.

After the third song, I had to leave the photo pit and put my cameras away. As I hustled to the media tent, the first drops started to hit, and by the time I had turned around to go back to the rest of the show, the crowd that was not under the amphitheater roof was going wild in an absolute downpour. A lot of times you see a storm begin at an event and people go running for cover. Not PTV fans. I walked back through the yard to a packed house of people banging their heads and jumping around while they clung onto their friends to avoid slipping on the wet grass. You gotta respect the dedication. Screaming and thrashing into the night, it was refreshing to see a band and crowd so in-tune with each other. Pierce the Veil‘s world tour continues all the way into December, so plenty of time for you to catch it!

Photography by Sean Rider

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