The date September 11^th can hold many terrifying memories for older generations, who can remember the terror attacks that took place on that day in 2001. It also brings the idea of something unfathomable for younger ones. On that same night 14 years later something monumental was bound to happen in a neighboring city of Philadelphia.

“Events like 9/11, the high school football game, and the twenty one pilots concert, although very different all emphasize the importance of family and community. Mourning with each other in the worst of times, rejoicing in the best of times and uniting with strangers sharing the same demons as you.” – Chris Reistle ‘17 (Via Twitter)

At Festival Pier on the Delaware River in the lovely city of Philadelphia people found their way into a line, some as early as at 9AM. The numbers raised and the ‘skeleton clique’ began to assemble, lining all the way down to the Walt Whitman Bridge and beyond. Strangers all painted and garbed in the same shades of red black and white with their signature |-/ symbol painted on faces, hands, and chests.

The city was alive with the excitement of thousands, some who had been waiting a very long time to experience what they were about to see.

Then it began.

The energy in the crowd manifested itself in the echo of 6500 voices singing lyrics back to a two man band from Ohio standing on a stage was a memory for the books. Singer, Tyler Joseph expertly written lyrics set to upbeat music had the crowd in a roaring wave of voices and glee; it was hard to believe you were really there. Drummer Josh Dun put his all into his work, giving an indistinguishable kick of drumming deep in the chests of the people.

Joseph, with a habit of  letting the crowd take over during the shows, had 6500 people singing along in place of his own well distinguished voice. The performance was something unlike the usual of concerts, and the energy of the crowd was something that anyone would be lucky to feel, the sense of unity was enough to make your head spin. Despite the title of the Blurryface tour, the band went back and played their oldest songs, from their 2009 self-titled album to their unreleased album Regional At Best that can only be found in the deep reaches of YouTube.

twenty one pilots is well known to be a lyrically driven band with powerhouse emotion behind them, with themes of the need to fight your demons and stay alive. Despite their emotional reputation the duo puts on a fantastic show, often doing signature show pieces, such as in “Holding On To You” Dun does a backflip off of Joseph’s piano. During the finale, “Trees” Joseph and Dun venture out into the crowd on panels held up by the fans, who hold up drums as well, and the two man band has a drum off.  Once in an interview Joseph explained that since there was only two of them they feel as if the two of them have to put in their all and give a ‘real show’.

During “Car Radio” one of their most emotional songs off their album Vessel Joseph paused to make a speech, connecting himself to the crowd with a song. “Can you feel it? This is why we’re here. This is why you stood in line. It’s why we’ve gathered here today. Together we’re one.”

twenty one pilots, a two man band from small town Ohio, can put on a heart stopping show, which is something to be seen in a lifetime.