Around fifth grade, I was first introduced to Twenty One Pilots, like many others, with their hit single, “Stressed Out.” Technically, I hadn’t been introduced to them yet. I had heard the song on Kidz Bop radio. Regardless, every second of every day, 10-year-old me would lament about my name being Blurryface and how I care what you think. Later on, when Kidz Bop covered “Ride,” I would hold basement concerts to an audience of Barbie dolls, jumping off the armrest of my couch and, like Tyler Joseph sang, “taking my time on my ride” (whatever that means). However, once the hype surrounding the two-piece band had died down amongst the population, I moved on to the next most popular Kidz Bop song.
Many years later, I was reintroduced to Twenty One Pilots as the band my boyfriend at the time was obsessed with. It was then that I learned about the true cult-following created by these two dorky guys from Ohio. I was educated through album marathons, music video watch parties, and an in-depth explanation of the lore spanning five albums. After the breakup, I decided to relisten to Twenty One Pilots through a new perspective, trying to find a personal connection to the band. One of the things I quickly realized, as I fell into the “fandom” of this band, is that a large majority of Twenty One Pilots fans have been listeners for years. I haven’t met a single lover of their music who hasn’t been following them since the beginning, which is undoubtedly one of the band’s most respectable aspects. Because of this, being a new fan of Twenty One Pilots is embarrassing for me to admit, especially considering I would’ve loved the band if I had continued listening to them in the first place. However, they were placed as my number one artist on this years’ Spotify wrapped, so, to me, my writing feels justified.
In 2015, the band released their most popular album, Blurryface, which features the aforementioned songs “Ride” and “Stressed Out.” One of the most notable features of this album is that it was the first chapter of the Dema lore, a music and music video based storyline told over the course of five albums. The story takes place in Dema, a city within the continent of Trench, ruled by nine oppressive dictators called “The Bishops.” Put simply, the plot follows Clancy (portrayed by bassist and vocalist Tyler Joseph), as he leads a group of rebels called the Banditos alongside the Torchbearer (portrayed by drummer Josh Dun). On the surface, the story is a dystopian adventure told through catchy songs and high-budget music videos, but past that the theme explores the harsh realities of mental health and the constant cycle of depression. Of course, Twenty One Pilots didn’t invent plot-based music. Many talented songwriters such as Ethel Cain, David Bowie, and Tyler the Creator are prime examples of artists who have experimented with storytelling. However, with Twenty One Pilots, the story of Dema is a factor that is unknown to many outside listeners, even though it’s a core part of their craft. From Joseph’s signature blacked-out neck, to the yellow and red tape seen on fans’ outfits at concerts, the lore is a crucial part of understanding the band. Find a more in depth explanation of the lore here.
Luckily enough, I was able to go to see Twenty One Pilots when they came to Alpharetta in October. I had heard myths and legends about past concerts: the songs they played, the rituals they performed, and the cars they lit on fire, so I was excited to see what all the hype was about. Needless to say, my high expectations were met. My group and I were seated pretty deep into the lawn, so I was expecting to watch tiny little bean Josh Dun and Tyler Joseph from the stage 100 feet away from me, but halfway through the performance they transitioned to a B-Stage which was right next to the lawn. Needless to say, I had a great view of some great songs, as well as being able to witness the “Message Man Ritual” up close. Controversially, I did some studying up on the setlist beforehand, and I’m glad I did. While I may not have gotten the thrill of an unspoiled setlist, I enjoyed the concert a lot more being able to sing along to every song. Hearing the songs live was so fulfilling, even as a fan who has only been listening to their music for a year; I can’t imagine how the experience must’ve felt for my concert buddies who have been listening since Vessel. And yes, they did actually light a car on fire and it was pretty awesome.
It’s hard to believe that Twenty One Pilots isn’t a very respected band within the music community. As someone who used to think that it was just cringe, half-baked pop rock, it makes me sad that many people think the same and only consider their most popular (and, subjectively, overrated) songs when critiquing them. The stigma surrounding Twenty One Pilots is a great example of the music industry’s fear of difference and experimentation. It’s hard to directly pinpoint the genre that Twenty One Pilots falls under. They are usually considered to be alternative rock, but their music explores elements of rap, reggae, electronic, and even Taco Bell. It’s not hard to deny that the duo is shamelessly uncool, which is why they’re so awesome. They don’t make music for the industry or for the radio — they make it for their fans, or as they say: “the few, the proud, and the emotional.”
