Following Black Veil Brides storming Download set on Saturday the band made the trip down to Brighton for the first of 3 intimate UK shows this year. And heck was there a lot of anticipation in the Brighton crowd for this one! Shortly after doors opened a line had already formed spanning the length of the venue for a chance to pick up merch with fans sporting intricate gothic make-up, a homage to the band's early era aesthetic.
Tasked with warming up the crowd was Saint Agnes who wasted no time in proving they've built such a reputation for intense and chaotic live shows. A stand out song for me was Bloodsucker, second in the setlist; this felt like a perfect moment for an early mosh pit. Perhaps not encouraged at such an intimate venue the crowd stuck to dancing and jumping around frantically and throwing devil horns up.
With their aggressive sound, Saint Agnes certainly warmed up the crowd, even possibly gaining a new following too.
At 9pm sharp Black Veil Brides took to the stage with Vampiric Organs bellowing through the PA at the intimate 600 cap Concorde 2 received by a huge roar by the crowd the band took their places with Andy Biersack emerging from the darkness bursting the set open with Knives and Pens.
The gig was set out to be a ‘one of a kind fan interactive experience’ and boy they delivered on that promise from the get go. Early on in the show Andy pointed out a fan's banner reading. “My Ex lied, cheated & stole from me, please stamp on my engagement ring” in which was a promise that Andy fulfilled later on in the set inviting the fan onstage.
The band picked back up into ‘Bleeders’ & ‘Hallelujah’ representing the first picks from the Vindicate album (No.2 UK Official Rock & Metal Albums chart). After practically waving us photographers goodbye after the first 3 songs and some further crowd work. BVB thrash into my two favourite songs from the new album 'Vindicate' & 'Certainty' and holy shit did these go hard live. Biersack's powerful, visceral screams (fry-scream) translated flawlessly live.
Beyond the high-octane setlist, the night felt less like a standard concert and more like an intimate conversation. Throughout the set, the band broke down the barrier between artist and audience once more, offering everything from vocal tips that felt deeply supportive - advising fans to prioritize finding their own unique voice. Encouraging fans to trust their own creative direction and abilities rather than just imitating others. This was a refreshing moment of genuine artist-to-fan connection, paired with humorous behind-the-scenes stories. Going on to compliment the intricate makeup seen on fans in the crowd before revealing the reality of their own past methods. They confessed that their original makeup routine relied heavily on acrylic paint, notorious for being incredibly difficult to wash off. Which often left a permanent, messy mark on their tour bus bunks. It was a perfect, self-deprecating bridge between their history and the fans who were now recreating that iconic look in the audience.
The energy in the room never wavered, even as the set progressed through deeper cuts and emotional highlights. During a snippet of "Saviour," the intimacy peaked as the bassist Lonny Eagleton ventured out into the crowd, sending the fans around me into a frenzy. After the haunting resonance of "Sweet Blasphemy," where the lyric "to be one with the crowd" felt particularly poignant, a fan shouted a heartfelt, "That was beautiful” acknowledged by Andy in gratitude.
The night also carried a weight of solidarity. After announcing that CC (Christian Coma) could not complete the tour due to personal reasons, the room erupted in a thunderous roar of support for both him and Wade Murff, who stepped in seamlessly to cover the remainder of the tour.
Biersack continued to bridge the gap between stage and floor with grace and humor. From holding a pride flag aloft in a moment of inclusive solidarity to finally fulfilling the request on the banner to stomp on an engagement ring, he kept the crowd hanging on every move. The banter was equally engaging; when fans shouted suggestions for dream collaborations, Biersack humored the idea of a Sleep Token feature "just for the bit," and gave a thoughtful nod to My Chemical Romance, noting, "That would be cool. I’ve worked with Gerard and Mikey before; everyone has different influences, so it would be fun to find the main one".
As the set progressed towards its end, the atmosphere was further elevated by the venue staff at Concorde 2. In such a high-energy, sweat-drenched room, the staff were outstanding, constantly passing around water bottles and remaining quick to action whenever a fan needed assistance. Their efforts to help hype the crowd during the wait for the encore created a genuine sense of community, proving that a venue’s atmosphere is just as vital as the performance itself.
With the security team having whipped the room into a final frenzy, the band returned for an explosive encore, closing out the night with "In The End." It was a fitting finale for an unforgettable show. Before departing, Biersack teased that the band would be back in the UK sooner than we might think, a promise that was officially confirmed the very next day with the announcement of the VindicaTour.
Leaving the Concorde 2, it was clear that this "Un-Veiling" tour was something special. Whether you were there for the deep cuts, the candid conversation, or the sheer spectacle of seeing a massive band in such a small space, it was a masterclass in how to bridge the gap between artist and audience. I’m already looking forward to my next trip to Brighton and, without a doubt, my next Black Veil Brides show.
Where you can catch BVBs in the UK next:
8 January Barrowland Glasgow, UK
10 January 02 City Hall Newcastle, UK
11 January 02 Academy Leeds, UK
12 January 02 Academy Bristol, UK
14 January 02 Academy Birmingham, UK
15 January 02 Victoria Warehouse Manchester, UK
16 January 02 Academy Brixton London, UK
Tickets can be purchased via Live Nation: Click here
Black Veil Brides @ Concorde 2 Brighton