I’ve been following Twenty One Pilots for a couple of years now. And with each show they put on, they manage to get better at what they do.
When they announced they were going on tour with one of my other favorite artists, Jon Bellion from Long Island, I knew I had to go. I bought tickets soon after, and couldn’t wait to make the trip to Brooklyn to hear some of my favorite music live.
Before I knew it, January 20th had come, and it was the day of the concert.
As I walked into the venue, it felt like home. And after Jon Bellion performed his amazing set, I waited patiently for the people I love most to put on a show.
There are many things that separate Twenty One Pilots from other bands, but the main thing is that they actually care. These two guys from Columbus, Ohio recognize the hurt and heartache people go through everyday, and use their platform they were given to provide a source of hope. They make sure, especially at their shows, to make everyone feel understood.
They opened with “Heavydirtysoul”, a definite favorite of mine, and a song that expresses fear, guilt, and troubles. And before realizing it, Tyler, the lead singer, was up in one of the stands, singing to fans 2 feet away from him. While this is going on, the graphics on stage correspond with the song, and make us feel like we are on some sort of journey through emotions. As Tyler leaves the stands, the screens go black, and all that we can see is a video where Josh, the drummer, trades his black mask for a white one with a figure. Some fans have theories that this represents Josh’s anxieties about performing and/or life in general
A few more songs are performed, each just a good as the next, as well as being from all of their albums. Another favorite of mine is “Lane Boy”, which also discusses topics of fear and guilt, as well as Tyler’s battle between being successful while also being humble. My favorite part about this song when it’s performed live is the spoken part before it, “Why / Do I kneel to these concepts / Tempted by control / Controlled by temptation / "Stay low" they say /"Stay low"”. Throughout the song, they are joined on stage by two men in hazmat suits with the words “fame” and “success” written on them. I think this song and the performances put on with it discuss important things that aren’t necessarily addressed all of the time. Something I admire most about Twenty One Pilots’ music is their honesty, proving that it is okay to talk about what scares us and how we are hurting.
Another part of the show that stood out to me was when Tyler and Josh left the main stage to come to a smaller stage towards the back of the floor, called the "B stage". Luckily, I was able to be right in front of them when they were performing some of my favorite songs without having to be all the way up front in the pit. They were able to make those of us in the back feel just as involved as the people up front, and for that, I think anyone who has ever been to a concert can appreciate.
As well as Josh having a drum battle, them performing their new cover of “Cancer” by My Chemical Romance, and Tyler going over the crowd in a giant hamster ball, they brought out Jon Bellion and performed covers of famous songs, like “No Diggity” and “Where Is The Love?”. Another thing avid concert goers can appreciate, a throwback song or a song that everyone knows the words to.
As the concert starts to wind down, they play some of their more well known songs like “Stressed Out” and “Tear In My Heart” as well as a favorite of older fans, “Car Radio”. This song is special to not only myself, but to probably everyone that has come to love this band. “Car Radio” manages to address issues like suicide, depression, anxiety, fear, and much more all in one song. This song has become an anthem for the hurt or “broken people” as Tyler mentions in another song of theirs. Another reason why this is a crowd favorite is because that during the last parts of the song, Tyler leaves the stage and makes his way to the back of the room, climbing on a high platform and sings the rest of the song from up there.
I guess Tyler really knows how to capture our attention, a goal they had in mind since they were first starting out.
As their “encore” (It’s put in quotes because the crowd won’t be quiet enough for them to leave the stage and come back on), they perform “Goner” one of their most emotional songs, as well as “Trees” a longtime crowd favorite that they close every show with.
“Trees” has always stood out to me because it starts out so slow, and builds up into an upbeat and intense song. It starts off with just Tyler singing and playing the piano, and after the first chorus, Josh joins in with the drums. But before the last chorus, Tyler and Josh leave their instruments and get on platforms with drums on them, held up by fans only.
They finish out the song banging the drums to the beat while red confetti fills the room. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.
Once you experience this song live, it will definitely be one of your favorites.
They get back on stage and see everyone out of their seats, clapping and cheering. They bow and put up their symbol.
Tyler says the only words that could have made tonight better.
“We are Twenty One Pilots and so are you.”
Whenever I see this band, I am amazed that with each time they can improve. They are always so good at capturing the audience’s attention and keeping it throughout the course of the show. They made it a point to make everyone feel involved and feel like we all belong. Like we are apart of something bigger.
Twenty One Pilots and their music makes me feel alive. And for that, I will always be grateful.
