Fresh off the release of their latest album, Breach, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun of Twenty One Pilots are now deep into The Clancy Tour: Breach, a North American run that expands the experience they began crafting earlier this year on The Clancy World Tour.
Last weekend, I was fortunate enough to experience the duo bring their show to Jones Beach Amphitheater in Wantagh, NY — the iconic 15,000-capacity Long Beach venue overlooking South Oyster Bay. Part of what has made this tour unique from those prior is the band’s selection of venues. When the tour was first announced back in June, fans were quick to note that the venues were mostly amphitheaters — many of which are located in areas often overlooked by touring artists, like Bangor, ME, and Burgettstown, PA. While this initially surprised some fans, it certainly hasn’t hindered the band’s typical live theatrics. If anything, it made the show more memorable.
As someone who’s seen the band live ten times now, I’ve come to appreciate their shows regardless of the venue, setlist, or my proximity to the stage. It’s really the music that pulls me forward and releases any reservations about dancing and singing my heart out. But with a band like Twenty One Pilots, who, early on in their career, realized the importance of keeping a crowd physically and emotionally engaged, it’s hard to find a bad seat in the house. Narratively speaking, each tour feels like a new chapter in the story Tyler and Josh have been building for over a decade, and this tour certainly continues that tradition.
The set opened with “Overcompensate.” Josh Dun wore a black mesh mask fitted with two glowing red lights for eyes. At the first beat-drop, Tyler emerged from the darkness wearing his iconic Clancy mask, sprinted up onto his piano, and leapt off it before landing at center stage. Throughout “The Contract” as well, Tyler performed with a light-up microphone tethered to a long cord, swinging it dramatically around the stage. Midway through “The Contract,” Tyler grabbed a large video camera and turned it on himself, projecting his close-up onto the two big screens next to the stage. Then, during “RAWFEAR,” he finally ripped off the Clancy mask, revealing his face for the first time that night.
At all the shows I’ve attended throughout the years, I can’t help but appreciate how much the fans contribute to the experience. Twenty One Pilots crowds are known for going all out, and this night was no exception. Many dress as characters from the band’s music videos, wear signature red or yellow armbands, or paint their hands black to match Tyler. It’s a sweet reminder that this music creates community and leaves people feeling like they’re part of a greater story.
Throughout the night, a full moon was visible directly above the stage, casting a faint glow over the crowd. Every so often, I found myself looking up at it just to take in the moment. It was a quiet reminder that this show was happening in real time, beneath the open sky and by the open sea.
As the set progressed, the energy never lost momentum. Something I’ve always admired about Twenty One Pilots is their ability to keep even their older songs feeling fresh. They do this in part by incorporating interactive elements with the crowd. Toward the end of “Lane Boy,” Tyler asked the crowd to crouch down low. He shouted, “Nobody’s looking at you. Let’s put on a show now. Let’s jump, let’s go! One, two, three, go!” On cue, the entire crowd jumped to its feet, and the stage erupted in blue and green lights and smoke effects. Starting with “Routines in the Night,” Tyler and Josh made their way up through the middle seated sections, stopping for high fives before reaching the B-stage. There, they performed a medley of songs from “Blurryface” and “Trench.” On his way back down to the main stage, he stopped to sing “Chlorine” with fans dressed as Ned—a furry, antlered creature from the “Trench” era.
Tyler and Josh then returned to the main stage for a mix of songs: “Jumpsuit,” “Nico and the Niners,” “Heavydirtysoul,” “The Line,” “Garbage,” “Doubt (Demo Version),” “Tally,” and “Ride.” During “Ride,” Tyler came back up to the orchestra seated sections before selecting a young fan named Atticus to sing “Ride” with him on the main stage. It’s heartwarming to see Tyler and Josh continue to give so much love to their younger fans. This tradition during “Ride” is one they started doing during “The Clancy World Tour” last year.
During “Drum Show,” Josh performed his drum solo on a platform in the upper seating section. This part of the show has traditionally been done in the center of the pit, so it was a thoughtful change to give fans in the higher seats a front-row experience of their own. When Josh’s drum solo ended, the lights dimmed for a brief pause before the last few songs began.
One of their longest-running live traditions is during the closing song, “Trees,” from their 2013 album “Vessel.” It began quietly, with Tyler at the piano, and it quickly gained momentum with Josh’s drums and stage lights behind them, blaring greens and blues. In the last half of the song, Tyler and Josh climbed down to the barricade where fans held two drums and raised platforms for them on opposing sides of the pit. Tyler and Josh drummed together as smoke shot up from the stage and the stage lights faded to a warm orange, revealing the tour logo. It’s always a cathartic and beautiful end to their shows.
Having witnessed the band evolve over the last decade, I’m still struck by how grounded their performances feel, even amid the bright lights and pyrotechnics. It’s clear that the gratitude between the crowd and the stage is mutual. It’s nights like this one that remind me why we keep coming back. Twenty One Pilots have a rare ability to make massive venues, songs, and stories feel personal. This tour is proving that and so much more: that their live shows remain one of the most immersive and affecting in modern music.
To quote Tyler Joseph: “We’re Twenty One Pilots— and so are you.”
Catch Twenty One Pilots on their remaining tour dates this fall, and select festivals in 2026. Tickets available on www.twentyonepilots.com/tour.
Setlist:
- Overcompensate
- The Contract
- RAWFEAR
- We Don’t Believe What’s On TV
- Tear In My Heart
- Backslide
- Lane Boy
- Shy Away
- Heathens
- Next Semester
B-Stage
- Routines in the Night
- Message Man
- Pet Cheetah
- Polarize
- Chlorine
Main Stage
- Jumpsuit
- Nico and the Niners
- Heavydirtysoul
- The Line
- Garbage
- Doubt (Demo version)
- Tally
- Ride (with Atticus)
- Drum Show
Encore
- City Walls
- Guns For Hands
- Stressed Out
- Trees