Madison Square Garden in New York, NY — May 20, 2025

On their “I Can’t Hear You World Tour,” Pierce The Veil made a triumphant stop at a completely sold-out Madison Square Garden, delivering a set that proved why, nearly two decades in, they remain one of the most electrifying forces in post-hardcore. From the moment the curtain dropped and the first note of “Death of an Executioner” rang out, the crowd transformed into a churning ocean of emotion and movement.

It didn’t take frontman Vic Fuentes much more than a glance for the circle pits to erupt—two of them, simultaneously, without a single prompt. The pit only grew more feral with each track, especially during “Circles,” where fans raised two hands to the sky on Vic’s command, clapping in unison like a revival under flashing lights. From the floor to the rafters, it was chaos in harmony: beach balls and smiley face balloons bounced overhead, fans were surfing over the barricade, and the stands were literally jumping and dancing in place.

The setlist leaned deep into fan favorites and emotional heavy-hitters. “Bulls in the Bronx” had fans screaming every lyric so loudly it nearly drowned out Vic’s vocals, while “Pass the Nirvana” featured a guitar swing worthy of any rock god moment—one-handed, over-the-head wielding from lead guitarist Tony Perry. And yes, “I’m Low on Gas and You Need a Jacket” came with actual bongos, sending the crowd into full euphoric disbelief.

Between songs, Vic reflected on the journey: “We’re here to celebrate our history together,” he said before launching into “Yeah Boy and Doll Face,” a perfect throwback moment. He added, “Playing MSG is a huge deal for us. Thank you for supporting us these past 18 years.” And the love was mutual—fans even chanted “Pierce The Veil” between songs, showing that their connection runs far deeper than just music. With every hand in the air, heads banging at barricade, and voices united in every lyric, Pierce The Veil didn’t just play Madison Square Garden—they owned it.

Words: Chinaza Ajuonuma

Photography: Emma Wannie / MSG Entertainment