I recently attended a Twenty-One Pilots concert.  Though it was the 5^th time I’ve seen them perform live, they have yet to disappoint. In previous years, I have always been about a touching distance away from Tyler (the lead singer), but this time around I was almost in the back of the Red Rocks Amphitheater, the setting of their latest debut. It was definitely a different experience being that far away from the stage; however, the show was still stunning. When I saw them last, they were on the Vessel tour, my favorite of all their albums. This time around, the concert featured their newest addition to the growing collection: Blurryface.

I had mentioned a couple editions back a review of their newest album. But in concert, their music really thrives. It’s not just the music that makes you want to cry tears of joy, which I did, but rather the ambiance that they set for the show every time. They truly are a band that wasn’t meant to be heard through a car radio (no pun intended), or through the mediocrity of headphones; they were formed with the intent to perform live.  Despite the lasers and smoke of the Blurryface tour, the band members’ candid, pure adrenal attitudes and actions while they perform is contagious. Who knew that someone could rap, sing, do back flips, play the piano, and hardcore smash on the drums, all while jumping around to keep the crowd entertained?

During the concert, Tyler paused and mentioned that when they got asked to play at Red Rocks, they laughed because they thought the idea was absurd. They thought that no one would know the words to their songs, or worse that no one would show up. He said he has had nightmares about going to gigs with no one in the crowd, which has surprisingly happened in the early years of their band career. Needless to say that was not the case. He has absolutely nothing to worry about. The crowd was singing their lungs out and jumping with the beat of the music. Even better yet, everyone was there with a common love of the band. The whole Red Rocks Amphitheater was sold out, and I, an avid concert attendee, sadly made the mistake to wait an hour before the show to get in line. Doors opened at 7, yet people were there at 4. True dedication. In the middle of the concert, my favorite part, Tyler and Josh (the drummer) played older songs in the middle of the stage. It was a more intimate part of the show. They played songs that people who only came to the show because of the Blurryface album would not know. Most of the songs were only brief parts that were mashed together.  However, that effect made it more interesting and gave them more time to be able to play several old songs.  Still, after 5 times seeing Twenty-One Pilots in concert, I am even more excited to see them time and time again. They never disappoint.

Finish Ticket played as one of Twenty-One Pilots’ openers, and I strongly recommend listening to their most recent EP, When Night Becomes Day. They were one of the best opening bands I’ve seen in a while, and there was no doubt in the audience’s mind that they owned it on stage.

Gallery • 4 Photos

Tyler Joseph at the Bluebird Theatre. Original photo by Kayla Wiitala.