Pierce the Veil and Sum 41’s “We Will Detonate!” tour hit New Jersey’s Starland Ballroom on Wednesday night (May 10), and upon arrival, hundreds of fans lined around the venue waiting eagerly to get inside.

The excited chatter and anxious-to-begin energy coming through the crowd meant this was going to be an energetic and all-out-fun night. Emarosa kicked off the evening, and singer Bradley Walden spent the majority of their set swimming through the crowd and interacting with fans. By the end of their last song, the audience was stirred into a buzzing hive, eager to continue the night with Sum 41 just moments away.

The last time I saw Sum 41 live, I was in my early 20s, and could never forget the youthful energy the band brought to the stage. Over a decade later, they did not disappoint! They brought the same exuberance and fed back and forth between audience and band as fans crowd surfed and sing-alongs echoed over nearly every word from Deryck Whibley’s mouth. More than once, Deryck’s own vocals were drowned out by the chorus of fans. Before the end of their set, Sum 41 took audience requests and at one point even broke out into Slayer’s “Raining Blood!” There was also the added pleasure of seeing guitarist Dave 'Brownsound' Baksh return after a nine-year absence, giving the whole show a “family reunion” feel.

Closing the night was Pierce the Veil. Though a newcomer to their music, I had the opportunity to catch them just a few nights before at the Carolina Rebellion festival. To see such a flawless performance from a band that spent more time jumping in the air than standing on the stage was impressive to say the least. The blast of confetti canons announced the beginning of their set, which continued with near nonstop crowd surfing and made this photographer’s time in the pit short-lived. I was able to grab a few shots before the energy, movement, and no short order of feet and fists from the crowd nearly knocked me to the ground. A few hits are expected and welcomed from a show as fast-paced as “We Will Detonate!” and comes with the territory of capturing the atmosphere and excitement of fans and bands alike.

Below are the remaining dates for the "We Will Detonate!" tour presented by Loudwire. If you see this show coming your way, be sure to grab some tickets and check it out. Also, check out a video tour diary and giveaway contest below!

Remaining Pierce the Veil + Sum 41 Tour Dates:

5/12 – Council Bluffs, Iowa @ KIWR’s Rockfest
5/13 – Somerset, Wis. @ Northern Invasion
5/14 – Indianapolis, Ind. @ Egyptian Room / Old National Centre
5/16 – Portland, Maine @ Aura
5/17 – Hampton Beach, N.H. @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
5/19 – Columbus, Ohio @ Rock on the Range
5/20 – St. Louis, Mo. @ Point Fest*
5/22 – Houston, Texas @ House of Blues
5/23 – Pharr, Texas @ Pharr Event Center
5/25 – Dallas, Texas @ South Side Ballroom
5/26 – Pryor, Okla. @ Rocklahoma*

*Only Pierce the Veil

Watch a Tour Diary From the We Will Detonate Tour

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