Twenty One Pilots kicks off new tour in Cincinnati, and the emo kid in me has been healed

The first time I attended a Twenty One Pilots concert was in 2017 at the KFC Yum! Center in Kentucky for their “Emotional Roadshow World Tour.” I was 11 years old.

Now, at 20 years old, I have seen them five times. You could say I’m a dedicated fan.

Twenty One Pilots kicked off “The Clancy Tour: Breach” on Sept. 18 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. The band’s eighth album, “Breach,” was released on Sept. 12, with the tour starting almost a week later.

Dayglow opened the show at 8 p.m. and put on a quick but rejuvenating performance. Although I only knew two of the eight songs played, it was an enjoyable concert nonetheless. The duo took the stage shortly after, as drummer Josh Dun led the audience into “Overcompensate,” with a solo onstage performance.

Dun wasn’t alone for long; as just before the beat drop, lead singer Tyler Joseph ran on from backstage and jumped off a piano (this sort of stunt is not uncommon for them).

With an array of flashing lights, smoke and pyrotechnics, the show continued into an emo, blast-from-the-past rave you wish would never end.

“Breach” was practically brand new by the time touring began, but that didn’t stop fans from quickly learning the lyrics. Joseph debuted the band’s new song “Garbage,” which he says is one of his favorites the duo has ever made.

I jumped for joy at this, because this one is definitely in my top three from “Breach.” His face when the audience knew the lyrics will forever be ingrained in my brain. It was an expression I can only describe as an “I made it” moment.

Although this was the “Breach” extension of their previous tour, only five out of 13 songs on the record were played. “Blurryface,” the band’s fourth album, had the most at nine total. Many iconic songs from previous tours, like “Holding On To You” and “Car Radio,” were absent from the setlist. The lack of “Breach” songs was the only thing that disappointed me about the show. To me, the performance felt like more of a tribute to the 10-year-old “Blurryface.”

Photo by Taylor Powers | The Miami Student
Twenty One Pilots performs “Drum Show,” which features drummer Josh Dun’s vocal debut, for the first time on Sept. 18 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.

The duo performed a short three-song set at the b-stage, playing “Message Man” with Joseph sneaking in a snippet of the rap from “Pet Cheetah” into the rap section of the aforementioned song. The small platform consisted of a drum kit for Dun, a bowl of black paint for Joseph to dip his hands in (there's a reason, I promise) and a car that catches fire.

During the song “Ride,” one of the most popular tracks off “Blurryface,” Joseph brought up a kid from the audience to finish out the song with him. At the Cincinnati show, the young boy’s name was Brenus. Let the record show, Brenus understood his assignment.

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Joseph has continued to consistently choose a fan from the younger generation, which is so sweet considering he is a father of three children himself.

What's special about “Breach” is that it features the first song Dun has ever sung on. At this show, “Drum Show” made its live debut. This is a monumental moment for the band, as Dun has previously stated he chose to play drums so he wouldn’t have to speak in front of others.

The duo ended the show with “Trees,” a long-standing tradition. During this song, the two stand on platforms within the pit, pour water on a drum and beat it to the tempo as confetti is launched from the stage. It is genuinely a life-changing experience, especially from the pit.

Photo by Taylor Powers | The Miami Student
Twenty One Pilots performs “Guns for Hands,” a song from their album “Vessel,” on Sept. 18 at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.

I was gobsmacked at how close my friend and I were to this in the pit. “This is probably the closest I’ll ever be to them,” I remember thinking. I was so wrong.

As soon as the song ended, I felt security guards on my left pushing through the crowd. Confused, I watched as they formed a pathway. I didn’t have a moment to really prepare myself as Joseph and Dun walked right past me to get back to the stage.

I swear, my soul left my body.

I had such an amazing experience that, days later, I purchased lawn tickets for their performance in Pennsylvania, on Sept. 28. Did it matter to me that it was the same show, just in a new place? No, but I did experience “Tally,” a new “Breach” song they just added to their setlist, so I’d say it was worth it.

No matter how my music taste evolves or how long I go without listening to Twenty One Pilots, I’m always pulled back to them. At every tour I’ve been to, Joseph ended the show by saying, “We are Twenty One Pilots and so are you.” So, I guess a decade of hearing that has instilled the message into me.

I am Twenty One Pilots, and I forever will be.

Rating: 9.5/10

powerstj@miamioh.edu