PIERCE THE VEIL/THE USED – LIVE @ THE TOYOTA OAKDALE THEATER
By Donna Marie Eriquezzo
Pierce The Veil and The Used perform at the Toyota Oakdale Theater with Don Broco and DeathbyRomy for support.
It’s a Wednesday night, early in June and the sky has an orange haze from the Canadian wildfires. The air quality is extremely bad and a lot of activities are being canceled, but thank goodness this is an indoor concert. The air has not deterred the hundreds of fans who have arrived early to line up outside, and let me tell you it is a very long line full of Emo aficionados excited to see the bands. I waited in line all the way at the back with my son until we could find his friends. The Oakdale handled the line quickly and efficiently and I was impressed how fast it moved.
Now I’m off to the green room with the other photographers, and surprisingly there is only 5 of us. The woman who does marketing was super nice and very helpful, she got us to and from the stage for each band with no problem. The photo pit is so narrow but workable with only a few of us as well as security. The theater is packed to a SOLD OUT show!!! That’s so exciting for the bands.
First on stage was DeathbyRomy and wow! I’m pleasantly surprised. DeathbyRomy is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Romy Flores whose been performing since the age of 15. She has released 3 studio albums with the last being Entropy (2022) with her genre falling in the pop/dark pop category. Her voice is amazing not to mention that she’s drop dead gorgeous with long flowing hair and a beautiful smile.
Her band had me astounded with their dynamic energy and stamina. They also knew how to work the stage. Romy’s music had a great beat and the whole group seemed to be having a tremendous time. They truly ran all around. At one point, the guitarist played on her knees then proceeded to lay on her back while still strumming. She put a huge smile on my face.
Next on the stage was Don Broco, all the way from Bedford, England. These guys really swept the audience away with their catchy vibe and supersonic spirit on the stage. The singer was so effervescent and fun. The band consists of Rob Damiani (Lead Vocals), Simon Delaney (Guitar), Tom Doyle (Bass), and Matt Donnelly Drums).
These guys have released 4 studio albums, which includes Priorities, Automatic, and Technology. In 2021 they reached No. 1 in the UK Album Charts, with their full length Amazing Things. Some of their setlist consisted of fan favorites “Pretty”, “Everybody” and “One True Prince”. They closed out with an amazing rendition of “T-Shirt Song”. If you love alternative rock/pop come out and see these guys. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
And finally the band we have been waiting for, Pierce The Veil! The curtain drops from in front of the stage and confetti shoots out everywhere. The band come out to a screaming, wild and crazy crowd. I’m hard of hearing and I thought my ears were going to bleed. I have never heard such a loud roar in my life, not to mention that the Oakdale is packed to capacity. Pierce the Veil came out to the song “Death of an Executioner” and I swear everyone in the crowd was screaming the words along with the band.
These guys are emo, post hardcore, pop-punk, and metalcore. They are straight out of San Diego’s punk scene. The band consists of Vic Fuentes on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, piano, programming, Tom Perry on lead guitar, Jaime Preciado on bass, backing vocals, keyboards, programming and current touring drummer, Lionel Robinson.
PTV has put out 5 studio albums and they have been on tour worldwide since the release of their debut record, A Flair for the Dramatic in 2007. Selfish Machines was released in 2010 and Collide with the Sky was released in 2012 and is also their first disc distributed by Fearless Records. This album features the hit first single “King for a Day”. The album was number 12 on the Billboard 200. In 2016 they released the full length Misadventures and in 2023, they dropped The Jaws of Life.
What a great band, I am so happy I got to see them and without a doubt, I would go see them again.
Setlist:
Death of an Executioner
Bulls in the Bronx
Pass the Nirvana
Emergency Contact
Hold on till May
Southern Constellations
The Boy Who Could Fly
Circles
Caraphernelia
King for a Day
Last, but not least, The Used came out on stage, the curtain dropped and once again confetti dropped everywhere. The stage was covered in pink and white roses and the mic stand wrapped in roses. What a beautiful stage presentation. The singer came out with a hot pink microphone and bright neon green sunglasses.
During the 3rd song, “Fuck You”, the whole audience had their middle fingers in the air. This American rock band from Orem, Utah, puts on a hell of a show. The Used was formed in 2000 and consists of vocalist Bert McCracken, bassist Jeph Howard, drummer Dan Whitesides, and guitarist Joey Bradford.
These guys are definitely Emo, rock, punk-rock and alternative rock. They became famous in 2002 after they released their self-titled debut album, which was followed by their second album, In Love and Death in 2004. They also released Lies for the Liars in May of 2007 as well as Shallow Believer in February of 2008, which consisted of most of the band’s B-sides.
The Used let loose their fourth studio album entitled Artwork in August of 2009, Vulnerable in march of 2012, and The Ocean of the Sky in July of 2013. In April 2014 they dropped their 6th album, Imaginary Enemy, and in Oct 2017, their 7th studio album entitled The Canyon came out. April of 2020 saw their 8th studio album, Heartwork. Toxic Positivity was released in May of 2023. These guys have achieved gold and platinum statuses in many different countries.
Setlist:
Take It Away
The Bird and the Worm
Fuck You
I caught Fire
The Taste of Ink
All that Ive Got
Buried Myself Alive
Im a Fake
Giving Up
People are Vomit
A Box Full of Sharp Objects
Pretty Handsome Awkward
Everything about this show was fabulous. I’m glad I was able to see all four bands. It was a great time had by all.
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