Pierce the Veil
Xfinity Theater
Hartford
Oct. 22, 2025
I reached the Big 40 on October 21st. In the days since I have been referred to as an “elder statesman,” “aged,” and the dreaded “unc.” Add in the associated aches and pains of simply rolling out of bed, and I’m forced to conclude that I have crossed over from young man to old man.
What I needed was to go and steal some youthful energy. My son obliged. He’d been asking for months to go see one of his favorite bands, Pierce the Veil, at the Xfinity Theater in Hartford. They swung through the Northeast as part of their I Can’t Hear You tour in October, which featured opening performances from Health, Ecca Vandal and Like Roses.
As we filtered into the seated area of the Xfinity Theater, I was surprised by how many young people were there. Pierce the Veil formed back in 2006, so while the band isn’t ancient by any means, it’s certainly older than many of the kids I saw with their friends.
After nearly 20 years of performances, Pierce the Veil still put on an electrifying show. The song that lit up the crowd the most was "King for a Day," a single released in 2012 for their third album. It’s a perfect ode to any generation that feels like they aren’t being heard, and fit perfectly with the theme of the tour. The lyrics are angsty but meaningful, and especially so for someone like my son who is coming into his adulthood now:
Now terror begins inside a bloodless vein
I was just a product of the street youth rage
Born in this world without a voice or say
Caught in the spokes with an abandoned brain
On the other side of the lyrical track was the song "Hold On Till May," which spoke more to my aging sensibilities. I’ve been burnt out more times than I can count, forced to start over in careers and relationships, and both at the same time on occasion. I find myself in that position again, looking at 40 as a chance to reinvent myself for the umpteenth time. The night of the concert, I let the feeling wash over me:
Now don't be crazy, yes, now of course you can stay here
Been in a touring band for going on ten years
"Big deal, " she said, "I guess you're official"
I only said it 'cause I know what it's like to feel burned out
It gets you down, we've all been there sometimes
But tonight I'll make you feel beautiful once again
Much of the music from Pierce the Veil was about growing and changing. Growing older for me means growing up for my son. He’s 18 now, and while the lead acts were performing he went to meet up with a friend who was also at the concert. I’ve loved going to rock concerts with him over the years, but maybe now it’s time to encourage him to spread his wings and go to these events with his friends. It’s a strange feeling, wanting to keep your kids all to yourself, but knowing that someday they need to move on.
In any case, that day hasn’t come yet. It was a great show, and a great time as I let the music make me feel beautiful again.
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Jamil goes to Trinity College for a new exhibit.
