Twenty Øne Piløts takeover Toronto for two sold out nights on the Clancy Tour: Breach!

By Kayla Harper (with help from many amazing Clikkies) 

The Ohio-duo twenty øne piløts took over Toronto this weekend, playing two sold out shows at the Budweiser Stage in support of their latest album, Breach. Lead singer Tyler Joseph revealed in a letter on social media that for the first time in their career they aren’t sure when the next tour will be or what is coming next, so, this short run of shows might be the last the band plays (other than festivals) for a while -not ever though.

 

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Breach brings a ten-year storyline spanning five albums to an end,  so of course this tour was a big deal for the Skeleton Clique (twenty øne piløts fans) who have been invested in this story since its official introduction with the Blurryface album, “I’ve been in the fanbase since 2015 when Blurryface came out (on my birthday) I didn’t really get super into tøp ‘til Trench though. Me and my friends had pit thanks to her beautiful self!” (Lyssa, @sstarnation, Toronto Night 2).

My sister, Kaitie, and I have been twenty øne piløts fans as long as we can remember, learning all the words and choreographing dances to “Holding On To You” when it came out alongside other early tracks when we were three and six-years-old.  We’re a lot older now and even bigger fans than we were then so of course we had to attend both nights in Toronto.

CLANCY TOUR: BREACH – TORONTO NIGHT 1

Saturday September 20

 

Since we went spoiler free as we do for most shows, the first night in Toronto was our first exposure to the show. It was also the second night of the tour which started in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 18.  Having been to two twenty øne piløts shows prior (The Bandito Tour in 2019 and The Clancy Tour in 2024) we were expecting a sonic and visual explosion and spiritually heightened experience because that’s what every other twenty øne piløts show has been –it’s safe to say our expectations were exceeded.

“I have been a huge Twenty One Pilots fan since 2011 when Regional at Best released. I’ve been to several TØP shows and suffice to say, they never disappoint! I say that as someone who has been to easily over 30 concerts in my lifetime. One of the things I absolutely love about TØP shows is way the band utilizes effects, visuals, and crowd interaction! It’s always so fun and inclusive, and it really does remind you that sure, they’re Twenty One Pilots — but so are we!”

(Magdolyn, @_mags.pied_, Toronto Night 1 and Night 2).

The effort put into visual effects including lighting, set and costume design, the way the boys travel throughout the venue, it truly brings fans into the show and the way they achieve this only becomes better every time I see them, “Beyond the music, my favourite part of the concert was the jaw-dropping visuals that happen all over the venue – the stage lighting, the immersive motion graphics, the HeavyDirtySoul car, and the burning of Dema – turning the musical performance into a fully realized artistic experience.” (Gabe, @gabespektor, Toronto Night 1 and Night 2).

 

Part of what makes the show feel like an immersive experience is the way the boys interact with and move throughout the crowd, singing in the aisles and stands.  My sister and I thought we were close at Clancy Tour and thought the closest we’d be to the boys would be Night 2 when we were in pit.  However, during night 1 we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to almost hold Josh up during his “Drum Show” solo in the crowd.  We were so close we couldn’t hear the music anymore, just his drumming.  It was truly surreal.

Setlist

The setlist consists of 28 songs spanning six of their albums and including two singles from soundtracks, “Heathens” (Suicide Squad Soundtrack) and “The Line” (Arcane: League Of Legends: Season Two Soundtrack).

 

It was a pleasant surprise that the show opened with “Overcompensate” off of Clancy.  We were expecting “City Walls” to open the show since Tyler and Josh usually open with the first song off of whatever album they’re touring for, but we were very happy they chose to stick with the “Overcompensate” opening.  The suspense that builds throughout the intro of the track makes it the perfect song to open a show with.  Kaitie and I have both been saying how badly we needed to hear it open the show again since Clancy Tour -nothing compares to that feeling of “Overcompensate” opening a tøp show quite like “Overcompensate” opening a tøp show.

Overall the setlist was an amazing blend of Blurryface, Trench, Clancy, Breach and Vessel.  It featured songs that are usually on most setlists, but nonetheless an amazing experience live everytime:  “Tear In My Heart”, “Heathens”, “Stressed Out”, “Ride”, “Jumpsuit”, “Nico and The Niners”, “Heavydirtysoul”, “Shy Away”, “Stressed Out” and of course the final song is always “Trees”,   “shockingly, hearing Heathens live a few years ago really put me onto the song when previously I hadn’t cared for it much (thanks, Suicide Squad). The visuals in-concert for it are so subtle and good, and now I look forward to hearing it at shows!” (Magdolyn, @_mags.pied_, Toronto Night 1 and Night 2).

There were a couple songs that have been played at nearly every twenty øne piløts show since the beginning that I was surprised to not hear this time around: “Car Radio” and “Holding On To You” as well as “Mulberry Street” and “My Blood” which have made most setlists since they came out.

However, I think the decision to remove some of these songs was to make room for songs that have not been on an official tour setlist in a while: “We Don’t Believe What’s On TV”, “House Of Gold”, “Lane Boy”, “Message Man”, “Pet Cheetah”, “Polarize”, “Chorine”, and “Doubt” – “Hearing “Doubt (demo)” live was one of my biggest dreams come true because it was one of my favourite songs when I first became a fan around the blurryface era.” (Kendra, @xo_kenny.xo, Night 1).

A lot of these songs Kaitie and I hadn’t heard live since Bandito Tour in 2019 and were ecstatic to hear them live again.  Some of them we had never heard live and didn’t know if we ever would so that was very exciting. “While I have plenty of favorite songs, I really enjoyed hearing Pet Cheetah this time around! AND THE LINE?! I didn’t think we’d get that one!! Was so happy to hear that live.” (Magdolyn, @_mags.pied_, Toronto Night 1 and Night 2).

Returning from Clancy Tour “Backslide”, “Next Semester” and “Routines In The Night” remained which I was very excited about because they’re all super fun to hear live, however, I wish “Midwest Indigo” and “Oldies Station” made a comeback because they’re my favourites, but of course room had to be made for Breach since this is the Clancy Tour: Breach.  I was slightly disappointed and surprised that only the first five songs from Breach made the setlist.  Since it’s the Breach tour I was expecting them to play nearly the whole album as they usually do and was really excited to hear tracks like “Downstairs”, “Center Mass”, “Days Lie Dormant” and “Tally” live.

“My favourite song(s) from the setlist is “Shy Away”, the Clancy tracks, and the highly anticipated live debuts from Breach…Overall my experience was near-perfect – just needs more Breach! That said, I believe the setlist struck a perfect balance, offering newer fans an introduction to the band’s earlier work while still celebrating their most recent work – a combination that, to me, feels like the best of both worlds.”

(Gabe, @gabespektor, Night 1 and Night 2).

“I would’ve loved to hear more Breach songs this time, and was a bit surprised the setlist didn’t have more from it. I suppose with the 10th anniversary of Blurryface happening, it made sense that there were more of those songs on there. Honestly, I’d pay to watch them sit on a stage and brush their teeth so I’m hardly one to complain about their setlists because I love all of their songs.”

(Magdolyn, @_mags.pied_, Toronto Night 1 and Night 2).

However it was still really exciting to hear the songs from Breach that we did, the transition from “City Walls” to “Guns For Hands” was beautiful and one of the most special parts of the show, it really emphasized the message at the end of the lore; to push on through,  stay strong and never stop trying.

 

Bandito Camp

As always Tyler and Josh made an effort to play not only on the main stage, but all over the venue -and I mean ALL OVER the venue- even more than any other twenty øne piløts show I’ve been to, the two must have walked through every aisle of the venue multiple times performing songs in the crowd.  For the people on the lawn who had the “worst seats” they set up a b-stage bringing back the “Heavydirtysoul”/Bandito Tour car in what would be called the “Bandito Camp”.

The Bandito Camp featured activities for Banditos to participate in when they arrived while they waited for the show to begin such as a tent with ukuleles where they could play songs, exclusive posters/bandito flyers, as well as a flag with the city name to sign which would be carried by Josh later in the show, “[Night 2], I was in Trench and got to actually be up close to the car and saw Tyler and Josh. The eye contact was personal because I felt seen. Overall, I just knew my younger self, who was being abused and struggling with staying alive for a long time, got to heal some wounds.” (Zev Robbie, @clancy_in_slowtown, Night 1 and Night 2).

I didn’t get to attend the Bandito camp myself, but from afar it was evident fans came dressed the part forming a sea of army green and yellow tape.  Josh and Tyler would travel up there during “Routines In The Night”, Tyler finishing the song atop the car which would soon be on fire.

“So I’ve been a clikkie for 10 years and I attended night 1. It was my 8th tøp concert and I flew over from Ireland for the show (I have no regrets, just an empty bank account and a bunch of happy memories). I was on the lawn which was so fun and I loved the bandito camp. My favourite experience was trading bracelets and necklaces that I had made because the Canadian Clique was so unbelievably friendly, but it was closely followed by hearing Chlorine live again which was made extra special since I was so close to Josh and Tyler with the car. This was such a special night and trip, I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”

(Lauren, @heartbeatsinc, Night 1).

The Bandito camp is where they played a lot of deep cuts from Blurryface and Trench which have not been played for a while, including the ritual during “Message Man” a mashup between “Polarize” and “Pet Cheetah” as well as “Chlorine” which Tyler played as he walked back through the crowd.  This is when my sister and I were really close to Tyler during Night 1 as he walked right by us and even stood in our section a couple seconds to sing “Chlorine” on his way back to the mainstage.

CLANCY TOUR: BREACH – TORONTO NIGHT 2

Sunday September 21

Kaitie and I had pit tickets for night 2. It would be our first time after 14 years as fans and three shows being in a twenty øne piløts pit. It was also our first “camping” experience; we’d never lined up early for general admission before.

Camping

For our first time lining up I would say it was fairly successful.  I wasn’t sure if it would be too dark, or feel unsafe. Of course we were surrounded by the clique so we felt right at home waiting in line.  After night 1 we went home to eat and sleep for a couple hours before lining up at 4:00 a.m.  Upon arrival a quick headcount told us we were number 20-25 in line.  The four hours we spend outside until receiving our wristbands at 8:00 a.m. would have been more tolerable if it weren’t for the intense and cold wind.

We got to know the lovely people around us while waiting and were all surprised when people started cutting the line around the 6:30-7:00 mark.  Either jumping in with their friends who had been waiting out or where their fan line numbers were.

“I fear my only drawback these last few concerts has been the strange amount of entitlement that’s happening with some of the fans. While there’s an incredible sense of community, and it does often overshadow the bad parts, I have been seeing an increasing bout of elitism as well, and that’s always rubbed me the wrong way as a long-time fan.” (Magdolyn, @_mags.pied_, Toronto Night 1 and Night 2).

Fan lines have been going on for a while now and becoming a bigger thing at every show, however, there is definitely an entitlement, unfairness and superiority effect that comes with it.  People who run fan lines may not be ill-intented, but they lack the authority they pretend they have and try to control a situation they shouldn’t in order to give themselves and friends an advantage.

To be completely transparent, I don’t think fan lines should ever be honoured.  If people want good spots, they have to put in the work.  Get there early and stay there until the official venue wristbands are handed out.  Being able to show up and get a fake number, go home and sleep in a comfortable warm bed and come back an hour before official wristbands are handed out is unfair to those who put in the work and stayed in the cold all night long. “People cut in line (even openly admitting they want to/would/plan to), they trample you to touch the boys, shove people out of the way in pit, and just turning their nose up at you over your tenure in the fandom/your outfit/etc.” (Magdolyn, @_mags.pied_, Toronto Night 1 and Night 2).

This isn’t coming from someone who is bitter because they didn’t get close enough, we made it to barricade.  It’s because we watched many fans show up even before us, freezing in the cold all night long only to end up further back in line when ideally the work they put in should be honoured.  Somehow us and the people around us who were between numbers 20-30 after multiple headcounts when we arrived ended up being in the 110s when official wristbands were given out.

 

This didn’t ruin the experience for me in any way, but I think it should be addressed.  The same fans who ran the fan lines tried to take it upon themselves to line us up again in numbered order once inside the venue which the security said they would do when the time came.  This is where the sense of entitlement comes in -giving themselves authority they don’t have and then getting frustrated when certain people aren’t listening.  The security at the venue is there for a reason and their job is important and should be left in their hands for our safety.  “That is so not what Twenty One Pilots has ever been about, and it pains me to see that kind of behavior in our space. I really implore people to reflect and do better, because we want to continue to keep this space safe for everyone.”(Magdolyn, @_mags.pied_, Toronto Night 1 and Night 2).

Of course this is only a minority of the people at the show and overall the Clique are my favourite people to be around.  However, I did think it was important to address.

The Skeletøn Clique

For many fans including myself, one of the highlights of a twenty øne piløts show is being around other twenty øne piløts fans. The sense of community is truly otherworldly, it’s like everyone is already on your best friend even if you’re strangers, the second you see that red or yellow tape, you know we’re on the same team.  “What I loved most about the show was that I stood out for being myself and screaming along with Tyler, but I still sang along and went apeshit… some people kept thanking me for being the way I am, and I felt less embarrassed expressing myself. Their music has kept me alive for the past ten years, and I could never replace nor be so grateful that there was a reason to push on through” (Zev Robbie, @clancy_in_slowtown, Night 1 and Night 2).

In a way it was a gathering not only of Canadian tøp fans, but tøp fans from all over the world. Many people I talked to were from the United States, The United Kingdom, and all over Canada, Kaitie and I have travelled from Alberta to Toronto for many shows! “I have been to four concerts: trench, scaled and icy, Clancy and now breach. Every show has been in a different place (Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto) but I love the environment and the people so much. There’s no other fanbase like the clique!” (Kendra, @xo_kenny.xo, Night 1).

“My favorite part of the show was trading bracelets and photocards with everyone! People were so kind to include others even if they didn’t have items to trade!” (Karis, @capturedbykarisdukes, Night 1 and Night 2).  Waiting in line and in the pit was one of my favourite parts of the entire experience.  I connected with so many other fans, sharing everything from stories, experiences, snacks, bracelets and artwork.  I am blown away by the talent of some of the Clikkies I spoke to and traded with.  All of the bracelets were beautiful, some Clikkies even traded photocards of their Clique art (go follow their accounts: @mybloodvisuals and @workingwithaminutehand)

Kaitie and I brought the Breach Tour sunglasses she had made and many fans took pictures with them which we included in a fan video (link video). Many fans also signed our “Stay Alive |-/” sign which security ended up taking away. At least I got a picture beforehand of all of your beautiful names:

Everyone’s outfits were also incredible. The detail that went into planning and putting together some of these outfits must have taken hours.  The people in the lawn dressed as banditos, the people dressed as Ned singing with Tyler during “Chlorine”, the Clancy beanies, stoles, red tape, etc.  We all looked amazing!

“I’ve been a Clikkie since February 2025, and Clancy Tour: Breach – Toronto marked my first Twenty One Pilots concert experience. I attended both nights – Night 1 on the lawn, Night 2 in Section 203, Seat XX13. Wanting the weekend to feel special, I dressed the part: painting my neck and hands, and redesigning my favourite white tee with black paint. And yes – before the concert, I made a quick stop at Taco Bell to fuel up for Night 2!”

(Gabe, @gabespektor, Night 1 and Night 2).

“Everyone in line with me, and even those I interacted with in the pit, were so kind and so enjoyable to talk to. Those little things really give you this sense of community and belonging, and I really love that. Twenty One Pilots has saved so many lives through their music, including my own and many close to me. Being able to share that with others and hearing their own stories gives me so much hope. I adored seeing everyone making bracelets together, sharing art, stories, singing together, and making new friends. I even loved seeing all the young fans in their costumes and outfits!”

(Magdolyn, @_mags.pied_, Toronto Night 1 and Night 2).

 

Night Two

The band unexpectedly and suddenly went on early for night two cancelling the opening band Dayglow in order to get on stage as soon as they could and hopefully avoid incoming severe weather.  Unfortunately the show ultimately got cut short, my heart goes out to all the Clikkies who only got to attend night 2, especially those who travelled far and put a lot of work into the experience.  However I would like to remind everyone that while it’s valid and okay to be disappointed, to practice gratitude remembering that the venue wanted them to cancel the show altogether, but Tyler insisted on playing as much as he could.  I know I wouldn’t have taken that hour and fifteen minutes back ever.

As a result of the impending weather, the boys reconstructed the setlist to be shorter and hopefully get through as much of it as they could.  They opened with “Overcompensate” and “The Contract” before skipping to the next set starting with, “We Don’t Believe What’s On TV”.

Despite the disappointment of what happened on night 2, a lot of Kaitie and I’s life-long dreams as tøp fans came true on night 2.  Other than being in the pit and being baptized by Tyler’s Holy water during trees, we made it to the “We Don’t Believe What’s On TV” fan video that plays as an intro to the song on the big screen.  So did all of you who signed our poster (r.i.p. -at least it’s forever immortalized in the fan video on the big screen at a tøp show).

“I went to night 2 so the set list was short but my [favourite] song(s) [were] Drum Show and We Don’t Believe What’s On TV.”

(Lyssa, @sstarnation, Night 2).

Tyler and Josh went on to play as much as they could despite the venue staff repeatedly telling them to stop the show.  They even made their way up to the Bandito camp to perform the b-stage set and interact with as many people in the crowd as they could.

When they returned from the Bandito camp the boys managed to play four more songs, “Jumpsuit”, “Ride” -which unlike Night 1 the entire performance took place on the main stage and Tyler did not bring out a kid from the crowd to sing with him to save time for more songs.  However, despite his efforts after “Drum Show” -which Josh played completely on the main stage with no drum island in the crowd again, to save time- the venue staff threatened to cut his sound if he did not get off stage.  So, Tyler came back and played the final song “Trees” even though he was supposed to be off stage, he would never end a show without playing “Trees”.

It was an emotional night, but I appreciate that the boys gave us their all, Tyler even saying that they were “operating at 150%” to give us the closest they could to the show we deserved.  The venue wanted them to cancel so the fact they argued into playing for an hour and fifteen minutes is something we should be really grateful for. I wouldn’t take back my experience in the pit even though I am sad it was shortened.  I was so close to Tyler and Josh which was truly surreal.

Previously the closest I’d been is when they walked by the barricade at Clancy Tour last year and all that was separating us was the bar.  Again, the night before Tyler walked by during “Chlorine” and my sister and I were almost holding Josh’s drum island during “Drum Show”.  It was really amazing to be up close while they performed.  Especially during “Trees”, we were so close to holding Tyler up and even got splashed with the water before he started drumming!

“As far as my experience goes, I had an absolute blast this year for Breach despite the weather conditions cutting Night 2 short.” 

(Magdolyn, @_mags.pied_, Toronto Night 1 and Night 2).

Tyler and Josh did the best they could do before fans would be rained out.  However, the rain didn’t last long and there wasn’t as much lightning as advised.  The venue probably could’ve handled the situation better had they paused the show instead and resumed after the storm passed.

Either way, Breach weekend in Toronto was an unforgettable experience full of dreams we thought might never come true.  Connecting with so many members of the Clique was one of the best parts aside from the concert itself.   No matter what songs are on the setlist, how long it is or how close I am I will never complain about attending a twenty øne piløts show.  Tyler and Josh’s performance was exceptional both nights as always.  They gave us all of their energy, Tyler’s vocals never fail to amaze me, even when he forgets the words.  I am so proud of Josh for continuing to push himself outside his comfort zone and sing on stage. Tears were shed, my throat still hurts from screaming and I have so many amazing memories to look back on.

 

Authors Note: 

Wow. I still barely have words for this weekend so trying to write this was actually quite tricky.  I wrote it as if it were my personal journal entry reminiscing on the experience.  I am so overwhelmed in the best way by how many of you wanted to contribute and be apart of this article.  I loved meeting all of you at the show and talking to you about it since.  My heart goes out to all of you who only made it to night 2. I hope one day you can make it to another tøp show.

I apologize for the quality of the photos, my site always lowers them.  However, I will be posting all of my photos featured in this article and more elsewhere…eventually where you can view them in high quality.  Speaking of photos I would like to shoutout one of the amazing Clikkies I met in Toronto who also contributed to this article, Karis.  Karis is an aspiring photographer and provided photos for this article, to view more of her amazing work, (in high quality where my site doesn’t ruin it) check out her Instagram @capturedbykarisdukes

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this article.  It was my first time doing something like this at this scale, I didn’t expect so many of you to wanna be involved.  Stay Strong. Live On. Stay Alive. And Power To The Local Dreamer |-/