LIVE FROM THE PIT: Catch Your Breath, Until I Wake and Of Virtue

Catch Your Breath rolled into Bristol with something to prove—and they didn’t disappoint. The Fleece, known for its no-nonsense charm and sticky floors, set the perfect stage for a night of soaring choruses, heavy riffs, and raw emotion. From the first note, the band had the crowd hooked, blurring the line between vulnerability and chaos in a way that felt both personal and powerful. This wasn’t just a gig—it was a release, a night for the fans to come together and lose themselves in the music.

Of Virtue kicked the night off with explosive energy, delivering a set that immediately pulled the crowd in. Frontman Tyler Ennis didn’t just command the stage—he dove into the pit mid-set, merging with the crowd in a surge of shared intensity. Between the crushing riffs and soaring choruses, guitarist Damon Tate took a moment to share a personal milestone: 18 years sober. It was a vulnerable admission that resonated deeply with the audience, setting the tone for a night of connection and catharsis that would only intensify.

Hailing from Buffalo, New York, Until I Wake stormed the stage with their track "Catacombs," instantly setting the tone with haunting melodies and razor-sharp breakdowns. Their set was a seamless mix of old and new, with tracks from their latest album, Inside My Head (2022), blending effortlessly with fan favorites from their 2021 self-titled EP. They wrapped up their set with a crushing one-two punch of “Self-Medicated,” and a final, guttural blergh that sent the crowd into wild chaos. Critics might call them another metalcore band, but live, Until I Wake proved they're carving their own unique path—with polish, passion, and just the right amount of chaos.

The energy in the room surged as Catch Your Breath launched into “Ghost Inside the Shell,” immediately setting the stage for an electrifying night. Their high-octane performance never let up, keeping the crowd locked in from start to finish. Fan favorites like “21 Gun Salute” brought the house down, but it was the personal moments that truly defined the evening. Frontman Josh paused to dedicate the song "Good in Goodbye" to guitarist Teddy’s late grandmother. As the crowd’s phone lights illuminated the venue, fans joined in, singing the chorus back to the band. The room was filled with an overwhelming sense of hope and light, and for anyone who had lost someone, that moment felt like a shared breath of healing—a truly emotional release, leaving everyone feeling connected on a deeper level. As the energy returned, Catch Your Breath tore through “Savages” and “Cycles,” with Josh offering a personal shoutout to anyone who had a parent who “didn’t give a shit about them.” The crowd roared in response, with Josh demanding the biggest circle pit of the evening during “Cycles.”

The reaction was explosive—the crowd was on fire, feeding off the band’s raw energy and the freedom they embodied, creating an atmosphere where everyone was part of something much bigger than just a concert. The night reached its climax with “Shame on Me,” but even that couldn’t extinguish the fire. The crowd, hungry for more, shouted “One More Song!” at the top of their lungs. Catch Your Breath didn’t disappoint. They returned to the stage to end the set with “Y.S.K.W.,” giving everything they had. By the final notes, the band had fully captured the crowd’s heart and left them with nothing but pure energy and unforgettable memories, ensuring that this night would remain with them long after the last chord was struck.

Words: Mia Gailey

Photos: Teala Lynas