Anyone who’s ever been to a Twenty One Pilots concert knows no two shows are ever the same. For those seeing the Columbus-born duo in the Buckeye State, your show might just be slightly better than the rest.
It’s not for the faint of heart. Tyler Joseph (vocals) and Josh Dun (drums) already boast an illustrious discography of seven albums, with the tour’s namesake album, Clancy, most recently joining the collection. Since the 2015 release of their Grammy-winning record, Blurryface, the music has followed an extensive, at-times complicated storyline, centered around a character named Clancy attempting to escape a imprisoning city called Dema.
But you don’t have to know about that to love the music. I’ve been a fan for seven years, and I still don’t get it.
Electrifying drums and deep-cut lyricism resonate with everyone. The studio production is enough to bring the tracks alive, but when I step foot into Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Saturday night, I’m seeing a completely different composition. Snazzy synths that the ear can’t catch on a recording are front and center on the stage. New instrumentals supplement the setlist to create seamless transitions between songs. Some go acoustic; others get a bit of extra screaming. Combining bombastic production and meticulous stage design, Joseph lets us into his head and turns Cleveland into Dema.
The show opens with Clancy's lead single, "Overcompensate." The powerful alt-rock track employs an equally powerful performance. Moody red lighting and fireworks give the show steam before it even has a chance to start, revving fans up for the band’s jam-packed 28-song setlist.
READ MORE: Journey, Def Leppard and Cheap Trick Had a Nostalgic Night in Cleveland: Review
While production elements like pyrotechnics, fire and smoke go big, the appeal of a Twenty One Pilots concert is the ways it’s made to feel small. Aside from bringing back long-lost tracks off their earliest records, a handful of songs take them into the crowd. For many, Joseph puts down the mic to let the fans finish his verse for him. Curated footage of fans and fan art find their way into big-screen visuals, proving the ways the band aims to stay in touch even as they reach mainstream popularity.
And they’re always sure to have fun. Songs like “Lavish” bring a breath of fresh air to the whiplash-heavy lineup, as Joseph takes a break from his Blurryface persona to walk the stage like a wedding aisle, linked arm-and-arm with Dun and singing about Capri Suns and proctologists.
Their final act, "Paladin Strait," puts Dun on the mic for an elusive, spine-chilling duet with Joseph, layered with lyrics from my personal favorite song, "Bandito." Though it leaves little to be desired, the band still returns for a four-song encore, featuring the cult classic "Stressed Out" and bringing a new beat with "Midwest Indigo," the band’s love letter to the state of Ohio.
“It’s good to be back in our home state. I’ll tell you that much,” Joseph remarks to the crowd with a smile. “Finally, I’m with my people.”
But no Twenty One Pilots show can ever finish without “Trees”, the eclectic number which has famously concluded their concerts since the band’s inception. A celebration of life, the community aspect of the song brings the boys back into the crowd, raised up on platforms by fans, as red confetti falls and drums reverberate through the pit. Though a finite ending to a carefully crafted show, it leaves you in anticipation for the next one.
Twenty Pilots Setlist: Sept. 28, 2024, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
“Overcompensate”
“Holding On to You”
“Vignette”
“Car Radio”
“The Judge”
“The Craving (Jenna's Version)”
“Tear in My Heart”
“Backslide”
“Shy Away”
“Heathens”
“Next Semester”
“Routines in the Night”
B-Stage Medley: “Addict With a Pen” ; “Migraine” ; Forest” ; “Fall Away”
“Mulberry Street”
“Navigating”
“Nico and the Niners”
“Heavydirtysoul”
“My Blood”
“Oldies Station”
“Fake You Out”
“Guns for Hands”
“Lavish”
“Ride”
“Paladin Strait”
Encore:
“Jumpsuit”
“Midwest Indigo”
“Stressed Out”
“Trees”
READ MORE: Cage The Elephant Amps Up at Blossom Music Center: Review
For more updates about Cleveland, sign up for our Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox six times a week.
Cleveland Magazine is also available in print, publishing 12 times a year with immersive features, helpful guides and beautiful photography and design.
