Pierce The Veil Brings I Can’t Hear You World Tour to the Kia Forum

By Caitlin Schmidt

Kia Forum – Inglewood, CA – June 26, 2025

Some performances rekindle your love for this scene—others ignite it like it never left. Pierce The Veil’s I Can’t Hear You World Tour stop at the Kia Forum on June 26th was the latter. With support from long-time friends Sleeping With Sirens, and an unfortunately missed (but surely solid) opening set from Beach Weather, the evening served as a full-circle experience for thousands of fans—tens of thousands, actually. There was no question this night stood apart from the typical tour stop. With all three nights at the nearly 18,000-capacity Forum selling out in minutes, it was clear this wasn’t something to be taken lightly—it was an event fans were unwilling to miss.

Sleeping With Sirens: Timeless, Fierce, and Something Like Fire.

By the time Sleeping With Sirens took the stage, the crowd was already fired up—no need for a slow build. They opened with “Kick Me” at full throttle and kept that momentum throughout. Kellin Quinn’s distinct vocals cut clearly through the roar of the crowd, while the band moved with precision and energy—signature spins, jumps, mic throws all executed flawlessly.

Their setlist balanced crowd favorites with more emotional deep cuts. Before “Tally It Up: Settle the Score,” Kellin took a moment to dedicate the song to OG fans, which got a strong reaction from the crowd. One of the most powerful moments came during “A Trophy Father’s Trophy Son,” when the entire venue screamed along, many with tears in their eyes. Sometimes, songs don’t just stick around in your muscle memory, they grow into something far more profound within your soul than the band or the scene itself.

And even amid the consistent emotional release that came with each song, the energy never dipped. Bassist Justin Hills showed off his iconic bass balance trick, of course, as if gravity didn’t exist.

As the set neared its close, “If I’m James Dean, You’re Audrey Hepburn” turned the venue into a sea of raised phones, capturing every moment, whilst every voice in the building overwhelmed Kellin’s during the chorus. It was a moment where time stopped and nostalgia crashed into the present.

By the time “If You Can’t Hang” closed the set, it was abundantly clear: SWS weren’t just there to support—they were a perfect supporting act. Their long history and friendship with PTV added a layer of warmth and authenticity to the show that you just don’t get from a random lineup. This wasn’t just a tour; it was a reunion of sorts. I’ve seen SWS three times now, and somehow, they continue to outdo themselves. One of the best live acts out there, hands down. They always leave me wanting more.

Pierce The Veil: A Powerful Blend of Sound, Emotion, and Heritage

As the crowd grew and the stage dimmed, “El Rey” rang out over the speakers. A traditional José Alfredo Jiménez song, it served as both a tribute to Pierce The Veil’s Mexican roots and a powerful palate cleanser before the performance to come. And the moment the band walked out, the Forum absolutely erupted. From pit to nosebleeds, hands were already in the air before Vic Fuentes even had to ask—but when he did, acknowledging the fans all the way in the back, it was a goosebumps moment. The kind of recognition that reminds everyone—no matter where your seat is—you belong here.

The first few songs seemingly flew by, though in reality they played out significantly longer than the recorded tracks: “Death of an Executioner,” “Bulls in the Bronx,” and “Pass the Nirvana” (the track that gave this tour its name) lit a fire under the crowd that didn’t let up all night. Even when the band dialed things down later on for an acoustic breather like “Today I Saw the Whole World,” there was still movement, still energy. That’s just the kind of hold PTV has on their fans.

Speaking of fans: I was surrounded by some of the most diehard PTV fans I’ve ever encountered. People who knew every word, every note, every pause, screamed until their voices broke, and reacted with the kind of deep, real emotion that’s hard to describe unless you’ve felt it yourself. Compared to past performances—like their When We Were Young sets—this was something entirely different. There’s an intimacy to a venue show, even one as massive as the Forum, that no festival can replicate. It felt like being part of something sacred.

Production throughout the set was stunning. Immaculate sound (major props to the techs), beautiful lighting, and just enough theatrics to elevate the music without overwhelming it. And as a photographer, getting nearly 20 minutes in the pit to capture the band’s intricate musicianship and iconic moves was an absolute dream.

But nothing—nothing—hit me harder than “Hell Above.”

Vic emerged from the shadows, megaphone in hand, illuminating the crowd with bright light that shined from it, and screamed the lines from the interlude track “May These Noises Startle You in Your Sleep Tonight” into the void:

“If you wanted to set me free, why the fuck wouldn’t you say something? See, I was just over seventeen, made of poison, cave in free. Oh no please don’t abandon me, mother father, I love you so. But this is me just disguised as me. I’m the killer who burned your home”

With that, the band slammed into “Hell Above” with more intensity than I’ve ever seen them bring. It was a moment that shook the building and every soul inside of it. While that song is often used to open their sets, saving it for the near end of the set added a different, yet explosive emotional release that brought everything to a head. It is, and will forever be, my favorite Pierce The Veil song.

From there, the encore spiraled back into the deepest of emotions in the best way possible. “Hold On Till May” brought tears—again, visible on the jumbotron as fans clung to each other with a sense of solidarity and hope. And finally, as we all knew it would, the night closed with “King for a Day”—the unforgettable collaboration that originally brought Vic and Kellin together on a track that changed both bands’ trajectories. We all knew it was coming. Not having Kellin out on stage for it would’ve been a crime. But knowing it was about to happen didn’t lessen the excitement one bit. If anything, the anticipation made the moment even more unforgettable. The energy inside the Forum during that final song was indescribable.

Final Thoughts

Sleeping With Sirens and Pierce The Veil have grown alongside their fans—and this tour proved it. From mic tosses and Jamie’s bass swings that still stress me out, to emotional breakdowns. From cultural tributes to anthems that make you scream your heart out, this show delivered everything we hoped for. Beyond nostalgia, it was a reminder that this music, these friendships, these moments—they still mean everything. More now than ever.

And seriously, the tour isn’t even close to over—if you get the chance to see these two bands together… don’t pass it up.

We’d like to thank Pierce The Veil and Sleeping With Sirens for this amazing experience. This was my first time covering an arena show, and I couldn’t have dreamed of a better night if I tried. I will cherish it for all of my days.