Yesterday we brought you interviews
with the two support bands making up this stellar line up- Melbourne ’s
The Getaway Plan and Dallas
With the tour headed up by Pierce The
Veil the show was bound to sell out and sell out it did. With a packed to the
rafters Cockpit, excitement could not have been higher; and this was even
before the bands came on stage. Want to know what happened when all three bands
played to the sold out crowd? Well click below…
It
isn’t often that the venue is packed even before the support bands embark on
their sets. However, with a hefty line-up, the queue was winding around the
venue long before the doors opened and the room brimming with people by the
time the first support band, The Getaway
Plan took to the stage. Don’t think we’ve met two bands more excited about
being over in the UK and The Getaway Plan’s Matthew even admitting they will be
calling it their second home. For most bands releasing a new album and heading
out on tour is pretty much an average state of affairs.
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| The Getaway Plan's Matthew in Leeds |
However, The Getaway
Plan’s most recent offering “Requiem” came after the band taking a hiatus.
Years of touring took its toll on the four-piece. However, the eighteen month
break was just what they needed and their first ever show in the UK, here
tonight, was kicking things off with a bang. Playing mostly from the new album,
which marks a reinvigoration for the Australian rockers, their performance is
fresh and sharp. “Flying Colours” kicks things off; Matthew’s impressive vocals
glide over strong melodies. Catchy from the off, the band’s sound is laden with
captivating hooks but the driving force isn’t sickly sweet. Instead their songs
are filled with gritty riffs and soaring harmonies. A darker mood strikes
within songs such as “Phantoms” and “The Reckoning”; whilst “Shadows”, taken
from the band’s 2008 album [Other Voices, Other Rooms], is smoother, yet
nevertheless captivating. As they have a slightly different sound than the
other two bands on the tour the crowd are unsure how to take The Getaway Plan
at first. However, the band has definitely won some new fans this evening. With
an epic quality to their songs, The Getaway Plan hits, such as “Where The City
Meets The Sea” are still dazzling; whilst newer songs, such as the more
progressive and heaviest song tonight “Heartstone”, close the set and stand up
against their contemporaries
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| Crown The Empire's Bennett Vogelman |
Suitably
warmed up, by the time that Crown The
Empire take to the stage the crowd are fervent and so is the band. A
whirlwind of energy, the band bursts on stage and from beginning to end their
set is relentless. The dual vocals of Andy Leo and David Escamilla are a tidal
wave of force and the songs and indeed stage presence pulls you in. With their much
anticipated debut album not out until November they played hits from their EP,
“Limitless”. “The Glass Elevator [Walls]” is a thunderous opener; Crown The
Empire aren’t holding anything back tonight. Taking a no holds barred approach
to writing music their mix of both clean and unclean vocals may not be
something original, but Crown The Empire bring a fresh and diverse approach to
it. The tight musicianship makes for a live performance that is fast paced and
a must see. “Wake Me Up” is hard hitting and heavy on the percussion, inducing the
band to conduct a wall of death mid song. Cheers erupt as “Johnny Ringo”
begins; its theatricality making it instantly infectious. Just when the song
pulls back, it then storms the roof down heavier and faster.
 |
| Crown The Empire's Andy Leo |
“We want to see
you dance”, the band challenge the crowd to get moving to the more electronic,
synth based “Braking Point”. An impressive break down, mid-song sees the band and
crowd comply to “go f******g insane” as instructed by Crown The Empire. The anthemic and catchy “Voices” closes the
set tonight; the soaring room temperature only emphasising what a storm Crown
The Empire has caused. They are shaking things up in the genre, proving that
they aren’t just another heavy band with added synths. Excitement grows in wait
for the album!
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| Pierce The Veil on stage at Leeds Cockpit |
With
Pierce The Veil about to take to the
stage the anticipation in the room is at an all time high. It is Pierce The Veil’s
first UK
 |
| Bassist Jamie Preciado |
The catchy, heartfelt, more bubblegum sweet
“Bulletproof Love” (taken from the bands 2010 “Selfish Machines”) offers light
relief from the heaviness in the pit. “Bulls in the Bronx ”
stirs the crowd once more with Pierce The Veil’s signature style alongside
Mexican inspired rhythms. With its intricate and precise breakdown it once
again riles the crowd which only spurs the band on more so. The band can’t wait
to get involved with the fans that have followed them along the way. Sounds of
rainfall introduce the subtle beginnings of the beautiful and echoic “Hold On
Till May” as Jamie Preciado lays his bass on the crowd. Pierce The Veil are
more than just another American heavy band and tonight proves that. Pierce The
Veil is a powerhouse. Vic Fuentes’ vocals are unique and dynamic while the band
technically excels. The pace is kicked up a notch with the fiery and gutsy
“Besitos”, vocals layered and with forceful melodies. As Pierce The Veil
announce “Caraphernelia” it is undoubtedly a clear crowd favourite as a surge
in the pit ensues as they sing every word back at the stage. Pierce The Veil
isn’t a band to mess around; they have come and conquered, and with no encore
tonight it is safe to say they have left Leeds
wanting more. At the top of their game, and by the crowd’s response, they are
only on the up.
Don’t
say we didn’t warn you; get your tickets and catch them before the end of their
tour! You won’t regret it.
For PART 1, with interviews with The Getaway Plan
& Crown The Empire click HERE.
PART 3 is coming this weekend as we hang out with the
guys from Pierce The Veil. Have any burning questions you want to ask the band?
Drop us an email – info@est1987.co.uk
