On Friday, Oct. 26, Twenty One Pilots played a sold-out show at TD Garden and I was lucky enough to attend. A refresher for those who might be familiar with TØP, but can’t place your finger on what songs they play, Heathens, Ride, and Stressed Out are a few of their top hits. Their tour began on Oct. 16, just weeks after their newest album, “Trench” debuted on Oct. 5.
The doors opened at 6 p.m., and by that time, there were at least 500 people in line at just one of the entrances of The Garden. Opening up for TØP was singer Max Frost, from Austin, Texas and the band Awolnation, best known for their song “Sail,” topping charts in 2011. By the time 9 p.m. came around, a large banner covered the stage, as the thousands of fans in the arena chanted, awaiting the band to come out.
With a dramatic drop of the banner, both the drummer, Josh Dun, and the lead singer, Tyler Joseph walked onto the stage, holding lit torches. Atop the stage was a car already lit on fire. Their set literally began with a bang, as tons of yellow confetti, the color of their newest album, covered the crowd from above.
The energy in the crowd was something I have never experienced before. I’ve seen TØP in concert previously, but I had seats way, way up in the nosebleed section. After that concert, I promised myself the next time they went on tour, I would buy floor tickets the second they went on sale. I followed through with my promise and I really could not be happier with my decision. I spent a bit over $100 for my ticket, but it truly was a priceless experience. To have the entire crowd so in sync, overflowing with emotions, chanting along to the lyrics of songs that are not even a month old yet… it was a connection like I have never seen before. The set list was composed of older songs, along with the new ones. Regardless of what song they played, they didn’t even need their microphones, as the crowd knew and screamed every single word along.
The crowd was filled with people who stuck neon yellow duct tape to their clothes, in honor of TØP’s new music videos where they do the same. They seem to keep a theme for each album – this one is neon yellow, navy green, a camouflage pattern, and fire. It gives a vibe of warfare; allowing the music to be something that could be your trench during the fire, if you will.
There were times, as they performed, that they would suddenly disappear and then show up on the other side of the stadium, after only 3 seconds of interrupted darkness. They pulled this off with stunt doubles, and you would never know, as they often have ski masks covering their face as they perform. You don’t realize it is not them until they are completely in a different section, remove their mask, and continue singing. This in turn drives the crowd even more wild. At one point, the drummer had a drum kit placed on a platform, and the crowd literally held it up with their hands, as he played above them. About halfway through the set, they switched stages, and to get across, the lead singer walked across a catwalk that was just above the crowd. Along the way, he would stop to sing a few verses facing each side of the pit.
This was the hands down most interactive, amazing concert I have ever been to, and probably ever will attend. If you want to be apart of something that will truly make you feel alive, please go see Twenty One Pilots in concert. It will be the best investment of your time you could possibly make, I promise. Take it from someone who has been to too many concerts to count. This is one you do not want to miss, but you’ll have to wait until the next tour.