Glasgow, OVO Hydro, 05/05/25
“What’s your ETA?” asks the pre-recorded message emanating over the audio system, met instantly by a realizing refrain of 14,000 folks shouting “TWO MINUTES”. And naturally, such is Scottish custom, the rowdy chants of “right here we fucking go’” comply with shortly behind. The message is obvious – after six years away, Glasgow is greater than prepared for the return of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun.
Beforehand, the night will get underway with an energising set from New Zealand’s Balu Brigada, their upbeat, fuzzy, indie alt-pop proving to be a success with the clique members on the dancefloor, brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley confidently stalking either side of the stage and changing many into new followers by the point we attain The Strokes-esque nearer ‘So Chilly’.
With the stage set, a purple curtain falls as Josh’s frantic drumming involves life over the opening bars of ‘Overcompensate’, Tyler quickly becoming a member of him because the masked determine leaps on to the stage earlier than virtually instantly and enthusiastically diving into the gang. Theatrics abound as an up to date and even smarter model of Joseph’s earlier ‘disappearing man’ trick is employed by way of ‘Automotive Radio’, elevating him to the rafters in time for the ultimate refrain in a stunt that left many viewers members in disbelief.
“That is it. Simply us for the remainder of the evening, alright? Let’s see what we will accomplish collectively.”
Joseph’s phrases are relevant to each the stripped again nature of their musical setup tonight, with Dun taking over keys for an exquisite ‘The Craving’ in a method virtually akin to their celebrated ‘MTV Unplugged’ present, in addition to their continued shut relationship with their viewers, a brief video performed earlier than ‘The Choose’ completely showcasing the ever-growing neighborhood that has all the time been the lifeblood behind the band.
‘Heathens’ bleeds right into a ferocious ‘Subsequent Semester’, earlier than the pair make their technique to their two respective b-stages, Joseph delivering a fragile piano rendition of latest single ‘The Line’ as telephone lights spontaneously sparkle in waves throughout the room. Newer ‘Clancy’ cuts ‘Backslide’ and ‘Lavish’ are greeted with related ranges of enthusiasm because the frenetic ‘Heavydirtysoul’, passionate ‘Tear In My Coronary heart’ and ‘Scaled And Icy’ highlights ‘Mulberry Avenue’ and ‘Shy Away’.
However maybe the important thing factor of any Pilots present is the intricate storytelling and as Josh Dun lights the way in which together with his flaming torch in hand, we’re transported again to Trench, the stage become a towering and imposing metropolis through the large engulfing video screens. ‘Navigating’ and ‘Nico And The Niners’ prime us for a set closing ‘Paladin Strait’ and a glance again on the expertly woven narrative this band have managed to stretch throughout 4 albums. Although the story could also be fictional, the expansion of the central character and their newly discovered energy and talent to beat adversity is a theme and message clearly felt by the hundreds gathered right here tonight.
With the normal ‘Timber’ bringing the encore and the evening to a detailed, the band end proceedings stood proper within the centre of their adoring crowd, getting up shut and private as these last drums pound out in unison. It’s these little touches and interactions that make nights like these so particular. Whether or not it’s welcoming a younger man named Samuel on stage to carry out ‘Journey’ or taking the time to fist bump and high-five almost each member of the gang as they move by way of, the sensation of togetherness is greatest summed up by the younger woman proven within the earlier fan video, who describes how superb it has been “to satisfy all these individuals who I’ve a particular reference to though we’ve by no means met earlier than.” An off-the-cuff reminder that, because the motto goes, they’re Twenty One Pilots and so are you.
