Photos by Andy Argyrakis

For those who’ve closely followed Twenty One Pilots, the interwoven concepts that tie together various albums have contributed to their cult-like following, yet even those who listen from a distance have been captivated by a vast kaleidoscope of styles.

Though the title to its current collection, “Clancy,” is based off the main character from 2008’s “Trench,” there’s a standalone spread of pop, rock, electronic, emo and hip-hop leanings to attract an audience of practically everyone in the first of two near capacity United Center shows, which continue on Wednesday, October 2 (albeit with no press photos permitted either date).

However, opening night may be quite hard to top after well over two-hours of elevated entertainment and deeply expressive emotions, courtesy of front man/multi-instrumentalist Tyler Joseph and beat keeper/back flipper Josh Dun, plus a steady diet of lasers, pyro, smoke and strobes.

“Overcompensate,” “Holding On To You” and “Vignette” achieved lift off and “Car Radio” continued racing down the road towards the enthrallingly eclectic “Tear In My Heart,” “Heathens,” “Next Semester” and “Routines In The Night.”

The guys soon made the arena feel as intimate as possible, descending onto the ground floor and each hopping onto their own individual platform for a medley of “Addict With A Pen,” “Migraine,” “Forest” and “Fall Away,” alongside the complete “Mulberry Street.”

Upon returning to the more traditional stage, Twenty One Pilots moved through such defining moments as “Nico And The Niners,” “Heavydirtysoul,” “Guns For Hands” and a young fan-assisted “Ride,” while a generous encore, including “Stressed Out” and “Trees,” sealed the deal when it came to the constant thrill ride.

Fellow duo Balu Brigada, consisting of co-singers/writers/producers Henry and Pierre Beasley, got everyone ready for the roller coaster, thanks to a groove-based, hook-heavy blend of indie pop and alternative rock.

Despite being relatively unknown on these shores, the brothers are gaining considerable steam in their native New Zealand, and after dropping the likes of “Moon Man,” “But I Do” and “So Cold” on an arriving but increasingly interested UC, are well on the way to flying just as high as Twenty One Pilots.

For additional information on Twenty One Pilots and Balu Brigada, visit TwentyOnePilots.com and Balu-Brigada.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the United Center include Twenty One Pilots (Oct. 2); Peso Pluma (Oct. 5-6); $uicideboy$ (Oct. 8); Maxwell (Oct. 10); Jelly Roll (Oct. 11); Sabrina Carpenter (Oct. 13); Lil Durk (Oct. 20); Maggie Rogers (Oct. 24); Justin Timberlake (Oct. 27); Usher (Oct. 28, 29 and 31); Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (Nov. 1); Stevie Wonder (Nov. 2); Marco Antonio Solís (Nov. 3); Sebastian Maniscalco (Nov. 8-9); Billie Eilish (Nov. 13-14); Maverick City Music (Nov. 16); Rod Wave (Nov. 18); Cyndi Lauper (Dec. 5) and Shakira (Dec. 14). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.

Related Articles

Twenty One Pilots’ club “Takeover” tackles “Scaled And Icy” sunniness, alternative exploration Twenty One Pilots’ unclassifiable excursion stocked with fun, bits of filler and underlying depth Twenty One Pilots: “Emotional Roadshow” World Tour at United Center The 1975: “Music For Cars” Tour at United Center The contagious electropop of ARIZONA has a sold out House Of Blues dancing and feeling England’s Arctic Monkeys drive “The Car” through United Center, “Look Good On The Dance Floor” Depeche Mode: “Global Spirit” Tour at United Center Banner year continues for hip-hop/indie pop breakout Jon Bellion with ascent to Aragon