Twenty One Pilots Ignited iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre with Gratitude and Pyrotechnics

By Joanie Cox Henry

Photo by Joanie Cox Henry

When my friend Gabriela Nicotra invited me as a her plus one to see Twenty One Pilots on 10-10 at  iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre, I had no idea what to expect and I honestly couldn't have been happier about that. I have seen thousands of shows at this point and I've been writing about music since I was 16 years old. I've been backstage with Mötley Crüe and Aerosmith. I've stood on stage with the Zac Brown Band. I've been inside a private recording studio with Damian Marley when he was laying down the tracks for what would become the hit song "Welcome To Jamrock" and I was at a private house party in Miami many years ago where there was a rumor Lenny Kravitz would pop in to perform. It wasn't a rumor. Lenny showed up and sang his heart out. I've had these extraordinary rock and roll experiences throughout my life, but I didn't realize under the rainy South Florida sky on Friday night, I was about to have another one of these life-lifting moments.

Three weeks into The Clancy Tour: Breach—which launched September 18th in their native Cincinnati—Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun have mastered the art of putting on an arena-size production while never losing a personal connection to their fans.

From the moment "Overcompensate" erupted into the South Florida night, it was clear this wasn't just another tour stop. The duo has always understood that their power lies not in distance but in proximity, and they spent the evening literally reaching for that connection. Joseph and Dun made deliberate pilgrimages through the crowd, their hands outstretched to meet the sea of palms extended toward them—a physical manifestation of the reciprocal relationship that's sustained them through nearly two decades.

But the gratitude didn't stop at fan service. In a refreshingly humble moment that could have felt performative from lesser artists, the band paused to acknowledge the local fire rescue teams and venue staff, recognizing the small army required to mount a production this elaborate. It was genuine, necessary, and perfectly on-brand for a duo who've never forgotten where they came from.

And what a production it was. The stage became a controlled inferno multiple times throughout the night, flames licking skyward as the band tore through deep cuts like "Polarize" and "Chlorine." Most audaciously, a car stationed at the venue's rear burst into flames—a spectacular visual flourish designed specifically so lawn patrons wouldn't feel like afterthoughts. While many acts treat general admission as an ATM, Twenty One Pilots engineered sightlines that democratized the experience.

"RAWFEAR" and "Routines in the Night" from Clancy proved the band hasn't lost their edge, while the inclusion of "Doubt" in its raw demo form reminded everyone why Vessel remains sacred text.

The B-stage segment—featuring "Message Man" and a "Pet Cheetah" snippet—brought the 16,000-capacity venue down to basement show intimacy. Josh Dun's drum island finale and the "Trees" encore completed the night.

Listening to Twenty One Pilots over the years has taken me on an emotional journey that I can’t place into words, but seeing them live brought everything to life in a way I never imagined. Their show was more than a concert—it was a performance that connected deeply with the audience, making thousands feel seen in a poetic way and understood.

"Tyler Joseph’s vulnerability and Josh Dun’s explosive energy created an atmosphere that was both intimate and electric," Gabriela Nicotra described. "It's hard to believe a two-man band can fill a space with that much heart. Their lyrics, layered with meaning and honesty, continue to resonate long after the lights fade—reminding us why this band’s fan base feels more like a family than a following."

As confetti cannons exploded and Joseph's final thank-yous echoed across the amphitheater, it was impossible not to feel you'd witnessed something beyond performance—a band at the height of their powers, still hungry, still grateful, still burning. And at the top of their game, these artists are going on hiatus however, I can guarantee you when they return, it will be worth the wait. And the Skeleton Clique will be "Craving" their return.

All images by Joanie Cox Henry: