It was hot in Kansas City. Like, scorching hot.
Amid the heat wave that could seemingly melt the infrastructure within the Sprint Center, thousands of obsessive fans lined the streets of Kansas City’s famous Power and Light District awaiting the Twenty One Pilots and MuteMath concert on July 10.
Apart from the few loyal MuteMath followers, most of the crowd consisted of obsessive Twenty One Pilots fans. I say “obsessive” because their appearances told the whole story.
They had their obscure, black tees that read “Blurryface” in Futura font. They had their arms and necks caked in black chalk, a theme inspired by lead singer Tyler Joseph. Some were even inexplicably wearing red beanies and sweatshirts in near-100-degree heat, further proof of the loyalty to one of the nation’s most popular bands.
As the line of eager patrons, impatient teenagers, just-along-for-the-ride parents and distant college students wrapped around the corner bars on the outskirts of the KC Live! entertainment district, a unified buzz filled the air. It bred the feeling that even for how unbearable the pavement’s heat felt, this show was going to be special.
As people entered the arena, they were greeted by the long awaited breeze of air conditioning. From there, it was on to the hard part — waiting.
After about an hour and a half of the opening performance from Dutch band Chef’Special, MuteMath hit the stage.
From the conversations within the crowd, there seemed to be questioning of the quality of the band. Many seemed to be unsure as to who or even what style of music the Grammy-nominated band played.
However, the element of surprise from MuteMath was won and soon they had the crowd in their bass strings, drumbeats, synthesizer sounds and microphone that rocked the house.
“We are so excited to be playing with this band Twenty One Pilots,” yelled out MuteMath lead singer Paul Meany. “We want this to be the greatest night of your life.”
As MuteMath’s set wrapped up and the set ripped apart, more waiting began.
Time seemed to drag on forever. It was enough time for the audience to engage in crowd antics such as cheering “T.O.P.,” or start the classic wave through the thousands in attendance. Yet as the minutes waned and the crew modeled the set with red-colored tile, the anticipation was unmistakable.
Then, at around 8:46 p.m., the lights went out.
The crowd’s roar seemed to shake the earth with screams in the dark that modeled a horror film. Then a lone drumbeat began with the electro-sound of an unclear song. As the vague song climbed, the roar of the crowd climbed with it.
Then an unmistakable voice yelled out those famous words: “Yo, this song will never be on the radio,” followed by the rest of the song “Fairly Local.”
At this point, the crowd was deafening and the band soon transitioned into “HeavyDirtySoul,” a rhythmic, rap-filled song filled with lyrics that brought some fans to literal tears.
Playing in balaclava masks and red suits, the band looked like something out of a dark bank heist movie. This was especially apparent when the band used a digital vignette depicting drummer Josh Dun denying creatures not unlike the rabbit from “Donnie Darko” as he briefly exited off stage.
The band played their worldwide hits such as “Stressed Out,” “Car Radio,” “Ride” and “Lane Boy.” They even premiered the newly released single “Heathens,” which is to be released on Warner Bros. Suicide Squad soundtrack.
Yet it was the smoke and mirrors that truly entered this show as one of the best shows in recent memory. Stage tricks such as the disappearing act by Joseph saw him reappear standing atop the Sprint Center’s upper deck. At one point, Dun jammed on a drum platform that was levitated by the audience.
The crowd was metamorphosed into elation and joy, bringing wide ranges of emotion from tears of joy to near-worship. As the band closed the night with the song “Trees,” they were met with a never-ending ovation. The love from both teenage girls and grown adult men was telling of how far this band has come in just three years.
It was only a short few years ago that Twenty One Pilots played right here in Columbia. Then, they were special, a promising duo from Columbus, Ohio, that transcended unconventional music. Now, they have blossomed into a stadium headliner and have proven why they’ve deserved all of the credit that has been given.
Twenty-Pilots and MuteMath continue their tour in Morrison, Colorado, on July 12.
Set list below:
**MuteMath:** Used To, Light Up, Blood Pressure, Reset, Typical, Spotlight and Monument
**Twenty-One Pilots:** Fairly Local, HeavyDirtySoul, Migraine, Hometown, Polarize, Heathens, We Don’t Believe What’s On TV, The Judge, Lane Boy, Ode To Sleep, Holding Onto You, Ride, Stressed Out, Guns For Hands, Tear In My Heart, Car Radio, Goner, Trees