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By Liz Bigham ’18 | Page Editor
Twenty One Pilots is a duo from Columbus, Ohio formed in 2009. Their musical style is hard to categorize, but most can conclude that they are an alternative hip hop, indie pop group. They incorporate frontrunners Joshua Dun on the drums and Tyler Joseph’s poetry-based lyrics, piano and ukulele.
Their music quickly helped them gain a large, dedicated fanbase with some fans getting to the Meadow Brook Music Festival around 5 a.m. to get a front row spot in the general admission section in front of the stage. Even right be before the doors opened, the line wrapped in, out and around the lines of cars surrounding the venue.
Before Twenty One Pilots, a pop-indie-rock band from San Francisco,Finish Ticket, got the crowd moving. The group brought some energy and excitement to the crowd. As the opening act, they did their job and delivered.
After the warm up band, fans chanted “T.O.P” for a good 30 minutes. Every time security would step on stage to set up, the crowd went into an excited panic. At 9:01 p.m, the lights dimmed, the mic dropped, smoke hazed and red lights flickered as Twenty One Pilots opened with its energetic song “heavydirtysoul.” It was one of those surreal moments where I didn’t really know it was happening. I’ve only ever watched their videos and listened to their music through a screen and headphones. After a few songs in, the reality hit: I was seeing one of my favorite bands in person nearly 30 feet away.
After a short pause, singer, Joseph, returned to the stage wearing a flowery blouse, large white sunglasses, holding a ukulele. With the instrument and the help of the audience sing-chanting parts of the chorus, they performed some new tracks like “We don’t believe what’s on TV” and “The Judge.”
The group is most praised for their live shows because they don’t have “a wall” between them and the crowd. Joseph and Dun both like to interact personally with the fans. During, “Holding onto You,” fans held up Joesph by feet as he sang the first verse of the song walking on top of the crowd.
It’s an awesome feeling being in an area full of strangers that connect to the same music as I do. Usually I’m not brave enough to interact with people at concerts, but I did this time. During “The Run and Go” Joseph instructed fans to find a partner and to get each other’s backs while singing along to the catchy lyrics. Since my friend and I didn’t have enough upper body strength to hold each other up, we found ourselves hoisted up onto two random people’s shoulders, singing along to every word.
Before heading off stage, Twenty One Pilots performed its heavy, poignant track, “Car Radio”. Right before the bridge, Joseph disappeared off the stage and a few moments later, was found climbing a ladder that went to a steep landing that helped support the roof of the venue. Having no fear of heights, Joseph faced the fans in the lawn as he sang “cause someone stole my car radio and now I just sit in silence,” the last words to this powerful song.
After their first encore of “Goner”, Joseph stood at his keyboard explaining how touring gets tough for him and Josh, and sometimes they both wonder what the purpose of it is. He then said, “Tonight, we got it back. We got it back to why we do this.” With them touring all year, it was sincere to know that the concert, out all the hundreds of them they have done, meant something to them.
They ended the night by doing an encore to their signature final, “Trees.” Near the end of the song, Joseph and Dun, being wholly supported by the crowd on top of thin wooden platforms, drummed their final goodbyes while the pit was peppered with red and white confetti. Although I dreaded the night ending, it was a perfect way to the experience.
Whether it was backflips, dancing on pianos, climbing to extreme heights, dancing with a friend on each other’s shoulders or being held up by the crowd, Twenty One Pilots have a gift of connecting with their fans.
Listening to their music is one thing, but actually seeing the duo perform live is ineffable. Joseph delivers such passion to every syllable he sings and Dun evokes intense emotions with his beats. There wasn’t one time when the sold-out crowd wasn’t belting every lyric of the Twenty One Pilots compelling songs.
