After Slipknot at Christmas, it was Child #2’s turn to step into the spotlight—and what better way than two nights at The O2 Arena with their uncle and me, watching the magnificent, genre-defying Twenty One Pilots. From the moment we arrived, the excitement was palpable. And the best part? We got to do it all over again the next night.
🎭 Night One: The Build-Up
Tuesday 13th May 2025 was electric. The duo delivered a high-energy set packed with fan favourites and deep cuts from Clancy, their seventh studio album. From the explosive opener “Overcompensate” to the emotional resonance of “Car Radio,” the show was a masterclass in connection and creativity. Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun didn’t just perform—they immersed the crowd in their world.
🌌 Night Two: A Lore-Rich Finale and the Rise of Breach
Wednesday 14th May 2025 wasn’t just the end of a tour—it was a turning point in the Twenty One Pilots universe. For fans steeped in the band’s lore, this night marked a departure from the familiar Clancy arc and a transition toward the next chapter: Breach.
One of the most striking moments came just before “Navigating.” On every previous night of the tour, Josh Dun, playing the Torchbearer, would hand a jacket to Tyler Joseph, portraying Clancy, on a secondary stage halfway up the arena floor. Clancy would accept it, and together they’d proceed to burn Dema on the main stage—a symbolic act of rebellion and closure.
But on this final night, Tyler didn’t take the jacket. He acted as if he couldn’t see Josh, and instead of continuing the ritual, he covered his eyes with his stole as he returned to the main stage. The gesture was subtle but powerful, implying that Clancy had been occupied or overtaken by Blurryface (Nico) or one of the nine bishops. It was a chilling deviation, and for those paying attention, it signaled that the story was no longer about escape—it was about infiltration.
This moment, paired with the masked entrance, the emotional rendition of “The Line” on a rising platform, and the reveal of Tyler’s face from the stands during “Car Radio,” created a finale that was intimate, theatrical, and narratively loaded. It wasn’t just a concert—it was a chapter break.
👨👧 Seven Times the Magic
This was the seventh time Child #2 and I had seen Twenty One Pilots live, and each show has been genuinely unique. No scripted ad-libs, no cheap crowd-pleasers—just earned moments of connection, joy, and artistry. Watching Child #2 light up with every beat, every lyric, every surprise—it’s the kind of memory that stays etched in your heart.
📸 The O2 in Photos
Relive the two-night journey through my Flickr albums:
Night 1
Night 2
