Heaven’s Basement arrives to the stage with a sense of homecoming, and clear excitement to be back in London after being away for so long. Playing crowd favourites including ‘Nothing Left To Lose’, ‘Heartbreaking Son of a Bitch’ and ‘Fire Fire’ and their performance was as fiery as ever!
After an amazing finish to heaven’s basements set, the crowd could not be more excited for Black Veil Brides to hit the stage. Before they are even on the stage the fans are screaming and excited, a few to the point where they had to be pulled out of the standing area before the band even reach the stage.
Finally its time, the lights dim and we hear the start to a very long into. The band appears one by one Christian Coma (CC) making his way up to his kit which it high above the stage. Standing on is drum stool to greet the crowd he takes a bit of a wobble but recovers well, the rest of the band come on stage, and finally we see Andy Biersack for the first time this evening, and they launch into ‘Shadows Die’.
Starting with just as much energy as ever the five-piece are really on form tonight. Ashley Purdy, Jinxx and Jake Pitts really play to the crowd, and a few fans even throw bras at the stage, which Ashley proceeds to hang on the mic stand either side of the stage. Jinxx leaves stage for a few seconds only to return with a violin and he treats us to a taste of his classical music training. Not even halfway through the first track we get a small taste of the pyro to come.
Barely a break in between tracks and they launch straight into ‘I Am Bulletproof’, Andy really playing to the crowd looking into the eyes of the front row, really getting everyone involved. Letting the crowd take the lead into the chorus you can hear that everyone in this venue is singing. When Andy starts singing again we see flames explode from the stage, just another of the surprises the band had in store for the audience.
During ‘Wretched And Divine’ we finally see a bit more of the drummer CC, he really gets into the song and at one point is stood on the drum kit head banging. Even if its just for a little while its nice to see CC enjoying himself.
With only a pause long enough to stick his tongue out at the audience they launch into ‘Knives and Pens’, getting the crowd to put their hands up as the guitars start, Andy’s charisma on stage is unbeatable. Just before the vocals are due to kick in you see a rare glimpse behind the mask, Andy smiles for the first time and you can see how genuinely happy he is just to see all these people are here to see his band play. Andy’s screams are just as powerful live as on the album and the crowd.
“There is a soft spot in my heart for London mother fuckers. If there’s one place in the world that know how to fucking rock ’n’ roll its London, England ill tell you that” Andy begins between tracks, “so far this is the loudest show on the tour but don’t get cocky yet” he continues to frenzy the fans till they are just screaming at him “are you mother fuckers gonna go crazy tonight?” The Crowd screams, “That’s right this ones called ‘Legacy’!” Drums and Bass start the tack and as the guitars start the pyro yet again goes off, the band start head banging in sync on stage and the show truly gets into the swing of things.
When introducing ‘Rebel Yell’ Andy asks the crowd, “Wanna hear an old song? it’s not that old but before most of you were born” as expected this one goes down great with the parents of the fans, but a lot of the fans are to young to have hear the original. All the way thought I kept getting glimpses of CC and I could see he was singing along really just enjoying the show, even if he was above the stage.
CC’s drum solo was the highlight of the set for me, the solo was amazing and really showcased the talent that he has. There was hint of electronic music in the solo, which is something different when you’re at a rock show but it was very CC.
A few song later we get a new Black Veil Brides song called ‘Let You Down’, the crowd are on their game and you can hear that a lot of them have been learning the lyrics to this new track, Andy even lets the crowd sing the last chorus.
“I wish that we could stay and play for you forever. Thanks you for giving us the best year” says Andy just before launching into ‘Nobody’s Hero’ the last track in the main setlist. The band walk off stage and the fans chant “Black Veil Brides” until the re-appear on stage.
Andy comes back out on stage and asks the fans “You want some more fucking songs?” and goes into ’Love Isn’t Always Fair’ with the same energy they played the rest of the shows. Immediately with the first strike of the drum the entire crowd puts up their fists to start ‘Fallen Angels’ with eh rest of the band. The fans and Ashley do majority of the vocals, while Andy marvels in the fact that 3000+ people are singing his lyrics back at him. The song finished with a lot of pyro and that smile of Andy’s.
The final words of the night we get from Andy are; “London, thank you for helping us close 2013, Have a great fucking great Christmas and wonderful new year. You have been amazing to us tonight we will always come back to play for you people! This is the last one give it everything you’ve fuckin got!”
Not even singing into the mic’s the start ‘In The End’ and everyone person in the venue is singing their heart out. You can barely hear the guitars or drums when they do start. During the second chorus I noticed Andy went to sing and stopped himself, realising the crowds passion for the band and the song and he paused on stage just to smile to himself. Going into the solo of the song the confetti cannons on both sides of the stage go off and the crowd cheers. The fans sing the rest of the track, Andy not joining in too much towards the end just letting the crowd run with it. The song finished and the last of the pyro goes off, the band comes together to take a final bow before leaving the stage.
Black Veil Brides were really on point tonight and I would highly recommend going to see them the next time they play near you. They have never disappointed.
10/10
Review and photos by: Kayla Elliott
