Live Review from Underground Legends 2026:
1. Mysterious Eyes
2. Great Escape
3. There is No Wonder
4. More than Just a Woman
5. Morning Star
Encore: French Connection
There is a reason this is called the Underground Legends, and Erik Piece and his band are about to show us why.
Erik Piece led the band on vocals and guitar, joined by Veo on guitar, Keath on bass, JT on saxophone, and Marvin on drums.
“Mysterious Eyes” opened and from the first few bars, Erik established himself as a storyteller, using his vocals to pull the room into the song’s world. It was impossible not to reflect on just how good these musicians were.
“Great Escape” opened with Keath’s bass, whose line acted as a recurring riff throughout the song. The chorus was instantly memorable. I found myself singing along despite hearing the song for the first time.
JT introduced the riff for “There Is No Wonder,” laying a light, melodic line over Erik and Veo’s guitar work. At this point, Veo’s subtle contributions became increasingly clear. He moved in and out of Erik’s guitar lines and JT’s saxophone phrases with a light, precise touch. Nothing felt excessive. Every note served the song.
Then Erik’s vocals moved to the front. He poured himself into the performance, turning a song I didn’t know into one that already felt familiar. That was the moment when the name Underground Legends really made sense.
Erik told the audience that he would not talk too much, but he still took a moment to engage with the room. He noticed some of his students in attendance and teased them lightly for being there. He then thanked the audience and introduced the musicians one by one, calling the entire band legendary players. He referenced the many bands and projects connected to the players, including Hard Candy, Kissing on the Dance Floor, In Love and Pain! and more.
When Veo was introduced, the recognition in the room was immediate — a clear sign of the respect he commands as a guitarist and band leader in Hong Kong. The introductions made clear what this show had brought together: musicians with decades of experience, individual histories and the kind of chemistry that cannot be manufactured.
Before the final song, Erik spoke about people leaving Hong Kong to pursue different paths and how much he missed them. He gave a special mention to Jabin Law, one of his favourite musicians, encouraging the audience to check out his work.
Erik also spoke about getting back up when life knocks you down. He dedicated “Morning Star” to Glen Hansard, whom Erik described as a beautiful soul and a major influence on musicians far beyond Ireland.
Erik thanked everyone for coming, but the audience was not ready to let the night end. Calls for an encore filled the room. Chris B jumped on stage, mentioning that Erik’s last Underground gig had also featured ChoChukmo 觸執毛 and Blaster, and that there was time for an encore.
It was a small but meaningful reminder of the strength of Hong Kong’s underground music community — a scene built on shared history, collaboration and an openness that welcomes everyone.
The encore was “French Connection,” a song about temptation, addiction, and staying out all night when you know you should not. The band looked at one another, Erik agreed on the structure, and what began as a light jam soon became the best track of the night. The band may not have planned to save the best for last, but that is exactly what happened.
If you get the chance to see any of these musicians perform, go. If you get the chance to see Erik Piece with this ensemble, it is an absolute must.
–Shaun @BRG
Live Review from Underground 71:
Underground 71 was the solo debut of Erik, leader of the excellent Innisfallen.
The relaxed atmosphere of the smallish early crowd suited Erik well, setting the tone for a friendly and generally joyful evening from start to finish. Mercifully, the combined marching band, para-para dancing efforts of the Tourism Board to scare off tourists and locals alike had ceased by the time he took the stage. Could have been a real mood killer.
Erik played a short set of five gentle but interesting, and mostly rather good songs, except the one he jokingly but truthfully introduced as “boring”. My friend Mark was not impressed by the vocals, but his ‘hit some of the notes most of the time’ approach works for me.
Varied arrangements and themes helped keep the one-man-and-his-acoustic-
Hard to compare this music with the “day job” band, but in its absence, Erik did just fine.
Paul M
Click here to watch Erik Piece playing his original song: Step!
