Live Review: Pierce The Veil - Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Support: Cavetown, Hot Mulligan, Crawlers
27th September 2025
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
It’s Birmingham, the home of metal, and tonight a four band bill graces the Utilita Arena (nee. National Indoor Arena) for a show that will invigorate the next generation of both fans and talent, all headlined perfectly by Pierce The Veil.
The evening began with Crawlers, a band fast establishing themselves as one of the UK’s most talked-about rising acts. Opening with ‘Feminist Radical Hypocritical Delusional’, they set the tone with raw energy, instantly connecting with the early crowd. Frontwoman Holly Minto commanded the stage with a magnetic presence and display of scathing fury. Songs like ‘Afraid to Die’ and ‘Cool’ showcased the band’s knack for balancing grunge-inspired grit with pop stylings, a combination that drew nods of approval from new listeners and die-hard fans alike.
Their set topped with ‘Come Over (Again)’ and ‘Messiah’, both tracks pulling the audience deeper into the Crawlers’ world. Minto’s vocals soared, and the band’s tight musicianship elevated each song, proving they were more than worthy of their spot on this stacked bill. By the end of their short but powerful set, Crawlers had firmly stamped their mark, leaving many in the arena buzzing about the quartet long after they left the stage.
Hot Mulligan followed with an unapologetically chaotic burst of emo-punk energy. Their set began with ‘Drink Milk and Run’, a frantic opener that set the scene. Vocalist Tades Sanville threw himself into every line with ragged passion, his delivery bordering on unhinged but always captivating. Tracks like ‘Shhhh! Golf Is On’ and ‘Fly Move (The Whole Time)’ revealed the band’s refusal to take themselves too seriously, a quality that endeared them to the crowd.
As the set progressed, Hot Mulligan leaned further into their catalogue of self-deprecating anthems, highlighted by the angular ‘It Smells Like Fudge Axe in Here’ and the bittersweet ‘BCKYRD’. Their sound was rough around the edges and it was clear that the band thrived on imperfection. By the closing notes, they had transformed the cavernous arena into something closer to a sweaty basement show, drawing cheers from fans who appreciated their offbeat approach to emo revivalism.
Cavetown provided a striking shift, guiding the evening into a more intimate mood. Beginning with ‘Sweet Tooth’ and ‘1994’, the setlist leaned heavily on Cavetown’s strength in heartfelt songwriting, with ‘heart attack’ and ‘Baby Spoon’ resonating particularly well. The vulnerability on display created a sense of connection that felt deeply personal amidst thousands of eyes and ears focused purely on them.
By the time ‘Boys Will Be Bugs’ and ‘Devil Town’ closed the set, Cavetown had turned the arena into a singalong, fans swaying and chanting every word. The performance was understated compared to the bands before, but its emotional weight was undeniable.
When Pierce The Veil finally took to the stage, the atmosphere shifted from anticipation to eruption. Opening with ‘Death of an Executioner’, they wasted no time in showcasing their explosive blend of theatrics alongside melodic hooks. The sheer energy from both band and audience was relentless, with ‘Bulls in the Bronx’ and ‘Pass the Nirvana’ keeping the pit moving at full throttle. Vic Fuentes’ vocals soared over a wall of guitars, while the bombardment of strobe lighting added drama to every song.
The band dug deep into their catalogue, much to the delight of long-time fans. Nostalgia reigned supreme as classics like ‘I’m Low on Gas and You Need a Jacket’ and ‘I’d Rather Die Than Be Famous’ made their way into the set, while their surprise cover of Pixies’ ‘Where Is My Mind?’ added an unexpected moment of reflection. The mid-set inclusion of ‘Floral & Fading’ and ‘She Makes Dirty Words Sound Pretty’ demonstrated the group’s ability to pivot pace and emotion with ease.
The encore cemented the night as something special. ‘Disasterology ‘brought back the raw spirit of their early years, while ‘Hold On Till May’ provided an emotional anchor, with fans’ phone lights illuminating the arena in a sea of stars. Finally, ‘King for a Day ‘brought the house down, a cathartic finale that left both band and crowd utterly spent.
Pierce The Veil proved once again why they remain one of the most important bands in modern alternative music, marking this Birmingham show and the tour as a whole a triumph.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
