As we reflect on the unforgettable moments from this past weekend’s When We Were Young Fest in Las Vegas, NV, Pierce The Veil’s iconic third annual appearance stands out as a major highlight. The Vic Fuentes-led group turned their set into an iconic celebration of their 2012 breakthrough album Collide With The Sky, performing it in full and filling the stage with star power from across the scene. The group welcomed longtime friend and “King For A Day” collaborator Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens, as did Jason Aalon Butler of FEVER 333, who brought his intense energy to their performance of “Tangled In The Great Escape.”
But the star-studded guest appearances didn’t end there. As the group started their final song, Fuentes took a moment to address the crowd. “Thank you for celebrating this album with us,” he shares. “We’ve been wanting to do something like this for a long time and we appreciate you being here. This album is so special to us. This is the one that changed our lives forever and took us all around the world. Thank you to each and every one of you out there who supported this album and listened to it over the years. We see you, we love you.”
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For the album’s emotional closing track, Pierce The Veil invited Tonight Alive’s Jenna McDougall to join them on stage to perform “Hold On Till May.” Originally recorded with Lindsey Stamey, the song has become a live staple for Fuentes and McDougall, who first began collaborating on the track during the Collide With The Sky Tour in 2012. Seeing them reunite to perform it again after more than a decade filled the festival grounds with nostalgia and emotion. Check out McDougall joining Pierce The Veil for “Hold On Till May” below.
McDougall’s presence throughout the weekend was especially significant, as When We Were Young marked her band Tonight Alive’s first U.S. performance since 2018, following the group’s indefinite hiatus from international touring. In addition to her powerful collaboration with Pierce The Veil, McDougall lent her talent to Simple Plan’s anthem “I’m Just A Kid,” sharing the stage with Boys Like Girls, State Champs, We The Kings, and Mayday Parade. She also joined Hey Monday for their explosive track “Homecoming,” alongside Daisy Grenade and We Are The In Crowd.