Not a Concert, but a Theatrical Performance – Twenty One Pilots at the OVO Hydro, Glasgow [05.05.25]

Twenty One Pilots had an incredible opening night of the UK leg of their Clancy tour on the 5^th of May. Following the success of their 7^th studio album of the same title—it was finally time for their world tour to land in Glasgow. 

After a short 6-song setlist from New Zealand openers Balu Brigada, they certainly got the crowed hyped for the Ohio-born duo to grace fans with their presence.

By 8:45, fans knew what was coming, and as the curtain fell, Josh Dun was sat promptly at the drums for the opening of Overcompensate, shortly joined by a masked-up Tyler Joseph. Tyler then stood amongst the fans for Holding On to You, before retreating to the iconic piano to finish.

A few songs in, Tyler disappeared off the stage mid-way through Car Radio, and made an explosive entrance just seconds later atop the much higher Block F seats. Fans in the section screamed as he looked around ominously, his face still covered by his mask. He finished the end of Car Radio and pulled his balaclava off, revealing that he was in fact the real Tyler, and the person on stage for the first three and a half songs was some type of body double, and that’s when you knew—this wasn’t going to be just an ordinary gig. This was going to be a theatrical performance.

While Tyler made his way back to the main stage, the band played a short video of fans waiting outside the Hydro that morning, each fan detailing what the band meant to them. People cheered when they saw themselves, and everyone was a bit emotional, as these stories of the band—especially helping them in their darkest times—resonated with the entire venue. It wasn’t long however, before the duo were back on stage, singing their biggest hits such as The Judge, Tear in My Heart and Shy Away, and for just two guys on a huge stage, they sure knew how to bring the energy.
The 2016 lead single for Suicide Squad, Heathens, had everyone singing along.

That energy was soon channelled into an emotional performance of Next Semester, and the fans carried out the melody for Tyler as he played the ukulele, and a beautiful choir was formed.

Everything went dark, and before you knew it, they were on the move again, with Josh running down the left side of the pit, high fiving fans and saying his hellos. He climbed onto a platform adorned with a drumkit and began to play Routines in the Night. Tyler then appeared from backstage with a folding chair, joining Josh in song, and he sat amongst the fans for a brief moment before running to the right side of the pit to get to his own platform, decorated with his signature piano and microphone stand. They created an incredible moment during Mulberry Street, having fans wave their phone torches in a mexican wave around the arena, producing a breathtaking sky of stars.

They once again returned to the main stage, led by Josh holding a lit torch – remember when I said, ‘theatrical performance’? Yeah, I wasn’t kidding.

There were some amazing performances of new songs like Navigatingand Lavish, and some old classics like HeavyDirtySoul and Guns for Hands, but a highlight of everyone’s night was when they brought a young fan, Samuel, out to finish Ride with them, which was followed by the whole crowd chanting his name, a truly heartwarming moment.

It was then Josh’s turn to get in amongst the crowd, as he mounted a platform held by the fans for Paladin Strait. A couple more songs later, and it was time for everyone’s favourite. If you knew one song, it was this one – Stressed Out.

After one of the most electric concerts I’ve personally witnessed at the Hydro, it was time to say goodbye, and what better way than to do their iconic rendition of Trees in the middle of the pit. The crowd worked together, separating to make way for the guys, and once they found their place, ran back in, trying to get the perfect spot in amongst them. Drums hoisted up, they poured water onto the drumskin, and began to beat along to the tune. Confetti cannons sprayed for the last time, as they said their goodbyes.

Lights turned on and Lavish began to ring again from the speakers. The night was over, and if I can say one thing only, is that if you get the chance to see Twenty One Pilots, go, you won’t regret it.

Photography Copyright 2025 © Tyler Whiting/ADRENALINE Magazine.

Text Copyright 2025 © Darcy Mitchell/ADRENALINE Magazine.