Photo Credit: Press
Words: Kayla Kerridge

Selling out Manchester’s AO Arena, Ohio duo Twenty One Pilots made their long-awaited return to the city for the first time in six years — and they did not disappoint. Greeted by a sea of red tape, vintage Bandito tour tees, and buzzing anticipation, fans gathered for the latest stop on the band’s world tour in support of their newest album, Clancy. Opening the night were New Zealand alt-pop outfit Balu Brigada, setting the tone for an unforgettable show.

Brothers Pierre and Henry Beasley of Balu Brigada kicked off their set with 2020’s “Moon Man,” followed by a collection of tracks from their 2024 debut album Balu, including “Number One,” “Designer,” and “The Question.” The duo surprised the crowd of 21,000 with an unreleased track titled “Backseat.” Despite a brief technical hiccup that cut their sound, they powered through and were met with cheers for their closing numbers, “Could You Not” and “So Cold.”

As the lights dimmed and the first notes of “Overcompensate” rang out, the arena erupted in excitement. Twenty One Pilots stormed the stage with energy and intensity, quickly transitioning into fan favourites “Holding On to You” and “Car Radio,” before diving into Blurryface’s “The Judge.”

Between songs, frontman Tyler Joseph took a moment to express his gratitude: “I don’t know why, but this show feels very important to us. This is it. This is us, and you.”

The emotional weight of the night deepened with intimate performances of “The Craving (Jenna’s Version)” and “Tear In My Heart,” both dedicated to Tyler’s wife, Jenna. During “Backslide,” the duo ventured into the crowd, surrounded by thrilled fans hoping to catch a moment with them.

Returning to the stage bathed in vibrant blue and pink hues, they performed the explosive “Shy Away,” followed by the hauntingly cinematic “Heathens.” The tempo shifted again with a tear-jerking delivery of “Next Semester.”

In a dramatic split, Joseph and drummer Josh Dun moved to opposite B-stages in the back of the arena to perform “Routines in the Night” and Arcane soundtrack highlight “The Line.” The performance of “Mulberry Street” was a visual spectacle, with thousands of phone flashlights illuminating the room at Tyler’s request.

The show continued with Clancy’s “Navigating” before a nostalgic return to The Bandito Tour era. Classic performances of “Nico and the Niners” and “My Blood” brought old-school fans to life. The biggest surprise of the night came next — the live debut of a demo version of Blurryface’s “Doubt,” released just days before. The reaction? Shock, elation, and pure joy.

The pair weren’t done yet. They moved through the crowd once more to deliver powerful renditions of “Guns for Hands” and new song “Lavish,” before dramatically walking together across the stage. The crowd erupted during Grammy-winning “Ride” and Clancy standout “Paladin Strait,” filling the venue with lights, emotion, and thunderous applause.

The final stretch of the show saw back-to-back hits with “Jumpsuit” and the fan-loved “Midwest Indigo,” accompanied by cheers that barely paused for breath. Tyler spoke candidly about how Manchester’s rich musical heritage inspires them: “Even though we’re a long way from home, when we play in a room like this, it feels like we’re not that far away at all.”

Closing the night with the anthemic “Stressed Out,” the band invited the standing pit to clear a space for the show-stopping finale, “Trees.” As per tradition, the crowd held up drums for the band to play atop, confetti erupted, and the arena shook with one final cheer. After taking a bow, Twenty One Pilots exited the stage — marking the second-to-last show on their Clancy World Tour.

Even with the chaos of a stolen drum and tearful goodbyes, this night was unforgettable. Twenty One Pilots delivered one of the most electric, emotional, and exhilarating performances Manchester has seen in years.