Twenty One Pilots Bring The ICY Tour To DC
Date: September 3rd, 2022
Venue: Capital One Arena
Washington, DC
What’s up everyone, it’s Derek here! I’m back again with another night of music in Washington, DC. This night was a special one not only for the thousands of fans, but for myself as well. I became a fan of Twenty One Pilots from the moment I heard their music back in 2015 and then an even bigger fan once I saw them live the following year. It was a show that I would never forget as their stage presence and showmanship is that which you see little of nowadays. Mix that with their music that features relatable and depth prose within the lyrics and you’ve got an incredible recipe for a magical show. It’s for those reasons that I’ve made sure to see them on tour with each passing year and this year was no different. Following the success of their Takeover Tour in 2021 which found them performing multiple nights in each city with a venue of a different capacity each night, it was only fitting they continue to celebrate their latest album ‘Scaled and Icy’ with another tour now that live music is back in action… enter The ICY Tour.
Getting the night started was self proclaimed “fun uncle / camp counselor” Peter McPoland. A musician, who recently broke onto the music scene with a viral acoustic performance of his song “Romeo and Juliet”. His set was one filled with pure energy as he danced around the stage almost consistently while also running from side to side. Songs like “ Shit Show” and “Tonight” got the crowd super hyped for an already amazing evening. He brought the stage presence of the type of music you hope to get from every live show and certainly one to keep on your radar, and make sure to give his latest album ‘Slow Down’ a listen.
After his set had wrapped it wasn’t long before the main event would begin. In the meantime fans found ways to keep the energy high and the fun at a maximum. Some bounced beach balls and balloons they had brought in amongst the general admission area on the floor. While others in the seat started their own fun with the wave, that grew stronger with each pass.
The time had then finally arrived. As the lights dropped a video began to play on the screens. In it we saw Tyler and Josh walking in a frozen tundra and stumbling across a blue door, the door began to levitate above them. Suddenly the lights in the arena shut off as a blue door opened from the floor of the stage as they both crawled out as snow and fog followed. They both pause for a moment to take in the applause before taking their place at the piano and drums. It sure as hell is a “Good Day”. Following the first verse and chorus, the lights cut out again as Tyler walks behind the large curtain before “No Chances” begins and the curtain drops revealing the rest of the stage.
As he stands atop an elevated part of the stage he begins to sing. Making his way down to the main stage level he proceeds through the next versus before getting a guitar as the beat slows for the chorus and it begins to snow. As it snows he stands there in a singular spotlight as smoke begins to flow from his eyes. As the beat returns he removes his mask and runs, only to literally jump off the stage. A legendary beginning to an incredible evening.
A darkness falls over the arena again as we hear the intro elements to “Guns For Hands”, as the lights return so has Tyler, atop his piano. As the song kicks in, so does the cryo. The great thing about a Twenty One Pilots concert is you can always count on their incredibly loyal fans to sing a long and then some. As we transition into the next song the words “Not Done” flash on the screen before Tyler removed the mask of Josh Dun while still drumming as “Morph” began. Shortly after we were graced with a personal favorite of mine with “Holding On To You” which found Dun visiting the piano for a quick backflip.
Up until this point Tyler and Josh had been filling the entire arena with their energy but it was now time to crank it up a notch. As “The Outside” began, a full band emerged, each spotlighted as their instrument started to play. Tyler then returned to the stage in a sparkling trench coat to bring the song to full life. The showmanship and art kept growing with “Message Man” as Tyler returned through the door from earlier, now carrying a bowl on a stand which he would later use at the end of the song as he dipped his hands into the bowl full of black goo dying his hands. Ending the song by returning into the door.
As the night continued the energy levels kept rising with songs such as “Lane Boy” and “Chlorine”. When you think things can’t get cooler though, “Mulberry Street” finds Tyler leaving the main stage to get to a smaller stage towards the back of the arena with his piano. He then began to instruct the audience to turn on the lights of their phone before orchestrating a light sequence unlike anything I had ever experienced. Sections of the arena began to glow on cue along with the song. A moment that has recently gone viral on social media. In fact, DC was such a strong crowd Tyler at one point said “I would take this room everywhere”.
While still on the smaller stage he thanked the fans for being part of their music over the years before presenting us with a song from each album over the years. Beginning with “Addict With A Pen” and “Forest”. As the band reappeared on stage to accompany Tyler for “The Judge” while he was still on the B Stage they sat creating a semi circle with an acoustic performance as “Migraine” began and he made his way back to stage where a campfire awaited him. But there was a problem… for the campfire set he needed his ukulele, which was back on the other stage. So how did he get it back? A little crowd participation and an inflatable mattress. As his uke was placed upon the mattress and crowd surfed to the main stage!! As the campfire set began it truly felt as though everyone in the arena was connected as acoustic versions of “The Hype”, “Tear in my Heart” and “House of Gold” created true sing along moments as the fans joined together.
Before the night began to wrap it was time to kick the energy back into gear. The band left the stage and we got a trumpet solo which led us into… the Halo Theme, and as the band returned wearing all black the drums and bass led us into “Jumpsuit” and flames filled the stage really heating things up.
After a celebration of the band in “My Blood” and an iconic fan supported drum solo in “Saturday” it was time for the song that was created during quarantine with the unknowing of what was to come with “Level of Concern”. So how do you keep the show growing from there?
Well if you’re Tyler, you run into the stands to sing “Ride” with the fans. Then you run to the other side of the arena. Then to the B Stage, before literally taking a ride on a mattress via crowd surf back to the main stage. As “Shy Away” then filled the space with flames and smoke in the most spectacular way it was now time to bring it all to an end.
For the encore of the evening the band exited the stage leaving just Tyler and Josh much like how we started our evening as lasers surrounded each as they began one of their most iconic songs and one that really drew me in as a fan years ago, that song being “Car Radio”. A song that’s known also for its live show performance as we find Tyler again in the audience but now atop an elevated platform. Following a full performance of “Stressed Out” he again returned to the stage before the lights dropped and the door returned as it began to snow again and Tyler and Josh emerged wearing their skeleton mask for “Heathens” which eventually transitioned to the final song of the evening and the one that ends most TØPs sets, that song being “Trees”. A moment that builds and builds and shows the power of music and passion of a fan base, all ending with a crowd covered in confetti. As the boys took a bow, the night was over but the memories created will remain forever. It truly was, a good day.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the music, the performance and the art of Twenty One Pilots next time they are in a city near you. Looking for tickets and tour dates? Look no further, give this fancy link a click
If you happened to capture any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see.
