GalleryDitch This MagazineJuly 27, 2023gallery, live, melbourne, Louie Mosscrop, Ashlee Harris, Margaret Court, Beartooth, Pierce The Veil, Dayseeker

Beartooth + Pierce The Veil + Dayseeker @ Margaret Court Arena 26-07-23

GalleryDitch This MagazineJuly 27, 2023gallery, live, melbourne, Louie Mosscrop, Ashlee Harris, Margaret Court, Beartooth, Pierce The Veil, Dayseeker

photos & Words: Louie Mosscrop @louiemosscropphotography

The night has arrived! Beartooth x Pierce The Veil co-headline tour with support by Dayseeker hits Melbourne to a now sold-out Margaret Court Arena.

With lights out, Dayseeker walked on stage donned in all black suits looking more fitted to an upper-class cocktail bar than a sold-out heavy hitting metal gig. Despite the well-dressed persona they made it known they were there to open the show and take control of their set. With melodic vocals and a powerful scream, lead singer Rory Rodriguez engaged the crowd on a personal level. By the third song mobile phones were all that lit up the arena. Rory spoke fondly, from the heart and often about his father’s battle with cancer, dedicating songs such as Drunk and Neon Grave to his father.

Before exiting the stage, Rory thanked everyone for taking the time attend, telling the crowd of times when they were starting out and driving 10 hours across the USA to play shows to 30 people. For them this was their first ever arena show, and with a selfie with the crowd to finish the set they made way for the first headliner, Pierce The Veil.

As the crowd anticipation drew, it became palpable when El Rey by Vicente Fernández filled the arena. Everyone knew it meant something big was about to happen. The music stopped, lights went out and all that could be heard in the darkness was a static noise, accompanied by red and white lights flickering from the back of stage as Pierce The Veil made their way into view. Within moments of their set starting the confetti canons exploded, showering the crowd in red and adding to the overall excitement that was already felt.

From the first note to the last, bassist Jaime Preciado did. not. stop. He was left, right, up, down, swinging his bass around, throwing it in the air! No one could stop him, not that anyone would dream to try. With a smile from ear to ear, he often connected with the crowd and it was clear this was his love, his calling.

Lead singer and guitarist Vic Fuentes proved why he and the whole band were deserving of a near sold out Australian tour. Crystal clear vocals bellowing out across a packed MC Arena, only matched by the 5,800 strong crowd cheering, and singing along.

Vic stopped, telling everyone that his favourite part of the show is when he gets someone from the crowd to join him on stage. And after careful consideration Amelia (AKA “the girl with the tattoo”) was sitting centre stage, visibly hitting an emotional peak of anticipation. Vic then began to sing, down on one knee, directly to her. “She sits up high, surrounded by the sun…” and the whole arena erupting singing along to Hold on Till May. Then, upon closer inspection of Amelia’s tattoo, which appeared to be the ultimate gift of admiration as it was a Collide with the Sky tattoo, Vic takes off his guitar and gifts it to her.

The set was energetic, filled with ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ moments, such as Vic using a megaphone to sing into the mic, or guitars and bass’ being thrown high in the air. It also felt as though guitarist Tony Perry had a new guitar for every other song, all sporting a fluorescent theme, making sure he was seen on stage.

The set was closed with “King for a Day” and Vic commenting “Melbourne, this is by far the best show of the tour!". And the confetti canons exploded again, flooding the crowd in colour.

From the first note to the last, chaos is one word that could be used to describe the powerhouse presence and stage domination of Beartooth. With confetti canons back in action and lead by Caleb Shomo, whose shirt was off before the set even started, Beartooth absolutely proved why they are sharing a co-headlining tour. Might Love Myself and Body Bag saw the arena exploding into a frenzy with the crowd clearly devoting themselves to the high energy experience.

Throughout the night Caleb opens up to the crowd about his own mental health battles, reassuring all in attendance that no matter your struggles, your race, your sexuality, your religion or anything in between, you are worthy you are loved.

Harnessing his inner Freddy Mercury, Caleb sings out melodies, which are repeated back with the full force of the crowd, back and forth, until Caleb calls out “I sing, you sing, get the fuck up, it’s called The Past Is Dead.” This was followed by “bang your fucking head” being echoed around the arena, and looking around people are headbanging from the front of the mosh to the nosebleed section and everywhere in between.

As their set is coming to an end, Zac Houston starts a guitar solo that is followed by Conner Denis flying full force into an intense drum solo. Things begin to settle, and Caleb comes to the stage, guitar around his neck, the whole band is playing tightly and facing each other as they move together as one.

Caleb motions for the crowd to part, gets off the stage and walks into the centre of the crowd for a photo op. Immediately followed by the crowd rushing in to engulf him. With his guitar lifted high above his head, the crowd then carries Caleb back to the front, seemingly ending the show.