Downtown Phoenix was packed last Tuesday as Twenty One Pilots made their way into the valley. The band, consisting of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, sold out Talking Stick Arena for their 'Emotional Roadshow' tour.
Fairly Local and Heavydirtysoul, the two slowly started to build the crowd up, the arena booming with voices and lyrics being screamed back. That set the tone right away, Tyler encouraging fans to sing as he pointed his mic towards the crowd.
Tyler and Josh expertly know how to work a crowd, so it was easy to stay engaged with their performance. What seems to be a wow factor for them is how raw and genuine they are. Tyler would sometimes pause between songs and look around into the crowd, a smile spreading across his face. Towards the end as they were closing the show, you could tell how thankful they were for the success they achieved. It's obvious that they don't take it for granted.
(Also, shirtless Josh Dun. Wow. Just wow.) Okay back to the review.
The rest of the show went by way too fast for my liking. They played songs from their new album "Blurryface," and even brought back some of their classics such as Ode To Sleep and Guns For Hands. This was a smart move for them because this kept some of their oldest fans interested, but also pleased the needs of their newer fan base by playing mainstream favorites. What really kept everyone on their toes though was how Tyler could pop up anywhere in the crowd. Although he spent most of his time on the main stage, there would be moments where the arena would go dark and he would appear fifteen seconds later in the stands across the room.
As the last song blasted across the arena, I placed my hand on my chest, feeling the rumble of the bass rolling through my body. It was then I realized the impact this music has had on people, both physically and mentally. Tyler and Josh have crafted a way to connect with the crowd, making the show as intimate as possible. As they performed their last song, Trees, it was obvious that the crowd was living in the moment, jumping in unison as Tyler belted out the final lyrics. It was then that Tyler wore his heart on his sleeve, admitting that they would be nowhere without their amazing fan base. The vibe of the show was indescribable. You could tell that Tyler and Josh gave it their all throughout the night, leaving everything they have on stage.
It’s both the lyrics and the message they preach that connects with the crowd. Today, all you hear on the radio is songs about partying and finding love. But somehow, Tyler and Josh have conveyed a way to make depressing and emotional lyrics seem upbeat and cheerful. They truly are changing the music industry one song at a time.
