twenty one pilots Might Just Be One of The Best Live Bands You’ll See
twenty one pilots return to Birmingham, Alabama for their first show in the city—and state—since June of 2019 on the “Trench” tour. Since then, the band has released three albums, Scaled And Icy, Clancy, and Breachalongside numerous singles. Now out support of Breach, “The Clancy Tour: Breach” is one of the band’s most anticipated, with lead singer Tyler Joseph hinting at an indefinite touring hiatus ahead of the band’s run. Breach also caps off the pentalogy of albums the band has been building since 2015.
This tour has seen the duo hit stadiums, arenas, and amphitheaters and despite Birmingham’s Coca-Cola Amphitheater being on the smaller end of venues the band is playing the show felt absolutely massive. I have personally seen twenty one pilots numerous times and can attest to the level of care and craftsmanship that is put into their performances and yet even I was surprised by what awaits. Massive set pieces, elaborate light design, props, pyrotechnics, a b-stage, and more greeted fans. It truly is a production from top to bottom.
Entering the stage to “Overcompensate,” the lead single from Clancy, Tyler Josh leaps into the stage from his piano as drummer Josh Dun blasts into motion. It is an explosive introduction, kicking the crowd immediately into high-gear. Joseph has an immediate swagger about his performance, a notable elevation from earlier tours, landing into the initial rap verse and effortlessly swapping to singing in the chorus. He is dynamic and engaging, with well though out choreography lending itself to his performance. His ability to wear so many different masks makes him a standout frontman. Simultaneously, Joseph has no problem engaging with the audience and building the much-needed connection early in the set. For their part, the fans were ravenous, with many having been to numerous shows and every single one knowing every single word.
Quickly following up with “The Contract,” aptly the lead single from Breach, it feels like a seamless transition. Chaotic backing tracks and drum fills back Joseph’s vocals which continuously bounce from his higher-pitched singing into softer moments, only to break into his notorious scream. The duo has remained masked and will continue to do so through the first three, yet Joseph manages to emit so much expression through only his body language. Similarly, Josh Dun has no problem hitting his marks on percussion through his glowing, red-eyed mask.
“RAWFEAR” is easily one of the band’s catchiest and most radio-friendly tracks, with Joseph gracefully transitioning into a classic frontman with clean cut vocals and smooth movement. It brings back some of the groove we saw back on Blurryface while retaining much of the growth the band has seen since then. Joseph has grown a lot as a vocalist since then and it is always evident in his performance. Over two hours of showtime and Joseph rarely misses a mark. Performance wise, we see Joseph handle a remote camera, a prop that not only adds a dynamic story element to his performance but also broadcasts an intimate look directly onto the video walls.
It would be a disservice not to touch on the entirety of this show, from the band’s crowd interaction as they transition to their b-stage, the mere existence of a b-stage in an amphitheater is of note, the pyrotechnics being carried through the crowd, the massive hidden set piece behind the band during the second half of their set, or the ever iconic crowd-surfing drum platforms and confetti to end the night on “Trees.” For a two-man band Tyler and Josh sure do know how to fill a room. With tracks across six album and a single, the band touch on over two (baker’s) dozen songs. The only thing truly missing would be a cut from their debut, but nevertheless you would be hard pressed to complain about this multiplatinum setlist.
Setlist
> Mainstage
1. Overcompensate
2. The Contract
3. RAWFEAR
4. We Don’t Believe What’s on TV
5. Tear in My Heart
6. Backslide
7. Lane Boy
8. Shy Away -> Heathens -> Next Semester
> B-Stage
9. Routing in the Night
10. Message Man
11. Pet Cheetah
12. Polarize
13. Chlorine
> Mainstage
14. Jumpsuit
15. Nico and the Niners -> Heavydirtsoul
16. The Line
17. Garbage
18. Doubt (Demo Version)
19. Tally
20. Ride
21. Drum Show
> Encore
22. City Walls
23. Guns for Hands -> Stressed Out
24. Trees
Even if you’re not a fan of twenty one pilots it would be a disservice to yourself not to try and see them live at least once. Time after time they have impressed and whenever they do reembark on a headline tour again I would have to imagine it will be bigger and better than ever. It truly comes back to the duo’s own commitment, I have never seen a band that, at their core, has consistently strived to make every member of the audience experience a show. Not just witness or attend a show—but experience it. You are up close and personal with twenty one pilots whether you’re in the pit, the 100s, the 200s, or even the 300s. Next time they hit the road, whenever that may be, go buy a ticket. If you’re hesitant, buy a nosebleed. I promise it is one of the best shows you’ll experience.