Concert Review: Twenty One Pilots - Auckland - 17th November 2024

Presented By Live Nation

Twenty One Pilots Spark Arena Image CreDit Jared Tinetti

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL TWENTY ONE PILOTS GALLERY BY JARED TINETTI

Review By: Sarah Kidd

Artist: Twenty One Pilots

Date: Sunday 17th November 2024

Venue: Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand

It is hard to believe, but it has been almost six years since the duo known as 21 Pilots have graced the shores of Aotearoa; the virus that shall not be named bringing what had been rather regular visits from the boys to a screaming halt.

In that time however, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun have gifted the world a further two albums, Scaled and Icy in 2021 and Clancy, released in May this year, their seventh album to date since their inception fifteen years ago. In true 21 Pilots style, the album is a continuation of not only a storyline, in which Tyler is the protagonist, embodying a character by the name of Clancy; but a message about staying true to yourself, and finding the strength to move through the challenges that face us.

A sold-out Spark Arena was like a living timeline of the eras of 21 Pilots; audience members both old and young, dressed in outfits that were linked to certain albums. Blackened hands and red beanies the Blurryface crew, while the khaki green with yellow stripes denoted the Trench followers. In stark contrast, black tops with red highlights were a nod to Clancy, some wielding the long narrow sash (similar to a priests stole – a hint at redemption) with white symbols around their necks.

Why there was even one fan wearing a costume that would have been right at home at Comic Con: the intricacy of her dragon outfit in homage to the Scaled and Icy album cover worthy of a round of applause.

As fans waited patiently, the house music played, and techs made the finishing touches to the equipment on stage. Suddenly an electronic voice asked, “What is your ETA?,” almost the entire arena shouting back “Two Minutes!,” the line from ‘Midwest Indigo’ heightening the anticipation of all in attendance.

It is no easy feat to entertain an audience when there are just two of you, but Tyler and his compadre Josh, have it down to a fine art, without however, it ever feeling contrived. Known for their incredible shows, The Clancy world tour completely outdoes itself, Joseph and Dun pushing themselves both physically and musically to present their fans with a production that gives everyone the opportunity at some point to feel close to the duo.

Bursting onto the stage which was illuminated in red and surrounded by a couple of large screens, Josh took up place at his beloved drumkit, while Tyler led opener ‘Overcompensate’ on vocals, Josh soon wandering over to the upright wooden piano that Tyler always favours to do a backflip off of the top of it, much to the fans delight.

From that point on, the boys delivered no less than twenty-seven tracks (thirty if you count the medley) and a show to die for.

Beloved tunes such as ‘Holding On to You’ were followed by out of the park hitters such as ‘Car Radio,’ the songs whose words speak to so very many of their fans were sang at fever pitch despite the fact that the night had only just begun. Everyone was waiting for it – and Tyler delivered, disappearing from the stage, and manifesting halfway up the stands, holding the audience in the grip of anticipation before ripping his balaclava off to show that it was indeed him.

Anyone who saw 21 Pilots at their shows back in 2017 and 18 would be expecting this – which in no way detracts from how exhilarating the moment is; what they would have not been expecting several years later, is the amount of area that the boys would cover as they ensured that every single fan had a chance to see their heroes up close.

‘The Judge’, was another instantaneous sing a long, thousands of voices hitting a falsetto an uplifting experience that would make anyone smile, a small snippet of ‘Cut My Lip’ from the Trench album sneaking in there and proving that a simple guitar and drums when in the hands of artists who truly know how to ‘speak’ to their fans goes a long way.

“We didn’t know if anyone would actually show tonight” Tyler joked, despite Spark Arena – which they have played several times before – being packed to the rafters; everybody screaming their approval of the fact that they have once again returned.

‘The Craving (Jenna’s Version)’ a poetic song from Clancy that many feel conveys Tyler’s emotions on how some people referred to the album Scaled and Icy as a miss was received with love, those down front swaying as they sang, willing their adoration for the band to be felt in that very moment. Ramping the tempo back up ‘Tear in My Heart’ was followed by ‘Backslide’ wear Tyler took a seat on stage; looking up at the camera trained on him and smiling as if he had momentarily forgotten that an arena of people was watching his every move. His endearing smile once again forging that connection that he has with his followers.

Greens and purples cloaked the stage as an absolutely stonking version of ‘Heathens’ was dropped, before another double header from their latest offering in the form of ‘Next Semester’ and ‘Routines in the Night’; the former, a track that has distinctly year 2000 pop-punk vibes, while lyrically dark with an undercurrent of hope in the form of starting afresh. The genius of Tyler’s writing being showcased.

Everyone had seen the two smaller platforms off to the sides of the arena, so when the duo left the stage, excitement ensued as they made their way down past hundreds of people for a more intimate performance of some of their oldest material including ‘Addict With a Pen’ from their self-titled debut album. The medley ending with ‘Mulberry Street’ and the arena playing cell phone torch games and following Tyler’s instructions to the letter as they lit up different sections to the chorus, but not before Tyler gently chastised a gentleman for not having his light on and then joking how he is “probably on 5% battery right now”.

Back on the main stage and the fun continued, as a mouth-watering heavy version of ‘Nico and the Niners’ was delivered, followed by an even more glorious version of ‘Heavydirtysoul’ which has always had crowds heaving.

‘My Blood’ saw Josh remove his jumper to reveal a singlet emblazoned with ‘Auckland’ which he later teased the crowd with while donned in heart shaped glasses, and performing the cheekiest little choreographed walk with Tyler for ‘Lavish,’ but not before the meaningful ‘Guns for Hands’.

Disappearing from main, Tyler returned to the B-Stage to perform ‘Ride’, Josh quietly slipping off as Tyler invited a new generation fan by the name of Harvey to sing the last couple of lines with him, his parents dressed in the green and yellow of the Trench era – yes 21 Pilots are band that appeals to all ages – proudly looking on.

Suddenly all eyes were drawn to the back of the arena as Josh appeared with a flaming torch and silently made his way towards his bandmate, black coat with red stripes in hand, Tyler putting it on and following him back to the main stage, the curtain falling and revealing a secondary backdrop of tall industrial, concrete looking pipes.

Tyler had already regaled Auckland with his bass playing throughout the evening but during ‘Jumpsuit’ he outdid himself, whirling about as he dropped thick heavy notes.

Creating an opening in the middle of the floor through the clever use of a big red circle that the fans could see on the screens in order for them to be able to safely create the space, allowed 21 Pilots techs and the ever tireless security team to quickly wheel in yet another two mini platforms, everyone crowding around them for ‘Stressed Out’ before they finished – as they always do – with ‘Trees’, attendees dutifully holding up the kick drum for each member as water was poured on top and the boys hammered out the beat as confetti poured from the ceiling.

21 Pilots don’t perform a show that you watch, they deliver an experience that you participate in, whether it is by being lucky enough to hold up an instrument or Josh’s floating drum kit, or by just flashing your torchlight at the right interval. 21 Pilots have the ability to make each, and every person feel as if they are an integral part of the performance itself.

Combine that with songs that speak deeply to those who are hurting, or feel disenfranchised, giving them strength to keep pushing through and it is no wonder that 21 Pilots continue to sell out venues worldwide.

SET LIST

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

Addict With a Pen / Migraine / Forest / Fall Away

Mulberry Street

Navigating

Nico and the Niners

Heavydirtysoul

My Blood

Oldies Station

Guns for Hands

Lavish

Twenty One Pilots Clancy World Tour 2024

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