TWENTY ONE PILOTS: MANCHESTER, UK
Twenty One Pilots with support from Balu Brigada
at AO Arena in Manchester, UK on May 11th, 2025.
by Kayla Kerridge
After six years away, Twenty One Pilots made their triumphant return to Manchester, selling out the iconic AO Arena as part of their Clancy World Tour. With a crowd decked out in red tape and worn Bandito tour tees, anticipation was sky-high for the Ohio duo — Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun — who proved once again why they’re one of the most captivating live acts in modern music.
Opening the evening were New Zealand brothers Pierre and Henry Beasley of Balu Brigada. Their set launched with ‘Moon Man’ and flowed through standout tracks from their 2024 album Balu, including ‘Number One,’ ‘Designer,’ and ‘The Question.’ The crowd of 21,000 was treated to an unreleased track titled ‘Backseat,’ and despite a brief sound issue, the band ended strong with ‘Could You Not’ and ‘So Cold,’ earning a warm reception.
As the arena went dark, the opening notes of ‘Overcompensate’ sent the audience into a frenzy. Kicking off with energy and precision, Twenty One Pilots wasted no time diving into fan favourites like ‘Holding On to You,’ ‘Car Radio,’ and ‘The Judge.’
Between songs, Joseph addressed the crowd with sincerity: “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 evening deepened with performances of ‘The Craving (Jenna’s Version)’ and ‘Tear In My Heart,’ both dedicated to Joseph’s wife, Jenna. During ‘Backslide,’ the pair ventured into the crowd, causing a wave of excitement as fans reached out in awe.
Back on the main stage under a flood of vibrant lights, the band launched into ‘Shy Away,’ followed by a laser-filled rendition of their Suicide Squad hit ‘Heathens’ and the heartfelt ‘Next Semester.’ The crowd swayed and sang along, visibly moved by the emotional rollercoaster.
In a unique moment, Tyler and Josh split to two small stages at the back of the arena to perform ‘Routines in the Night’ and ‘The Line,’ before reuniting with ‘Mulberry Street,’ during which the arena sparkled with thousands of phone flashlights on cue.
The show continued with Clancy's ‘Navigating’ before a nostalgic return to the Bandito era, complete with torches and a crowd walk during ‘Nico and the Niners’ and ‘My Blood.’ Just days after its release, the surprise inclusion of a demo version of ‘Doubt’ sparked huge reactions from fans.
From there, the energy kept climbing with performances of ‘Guns for Hands’ and the new fan-favourite ‘Lavish,’ followed by a playful bridal-style walk across the stage. The crowd erupted for chart-topping hit ‘Ride’ and Clancy’s ‘Paladin Strait,’ lighting up the arena in a sea of flashlights.
The final act included ‘Jumpsuit’ and ‘Midwest Indigo,’ met with unrelenting applause. Tyler took a moment to speak from the heart: “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.”
The duo closed the night with the anthemic ‘Stressed Out,’ then invited the crowd to open the floor for their iconic performance of ‘Trees.’ With drums held aloft, confetti filling the air, and fans singing at full volume, the show ended on a euphoric high. The pair took their bows and exited the stage, marking the penultimate date of the Clancy World Tour.
Though the night ended with a stolen drum and more than a few tears, Twenty One Pilots delivered a performance that Manchester won’t soon forget — a night full of emotion, energy, and pure musical connection.