Twenty One Pilots

Twenty One Pilots originated in Columbus, Ohio, in 2009 with Tyler Joseph on lead vocals and keyboards, joined by Nick Thomas and Chris Salih. Their early years saw them performing in diverse venues around Columbus, incorporating various styles from metal to electronic to capture audience attention. This period also involved grassroots marketing efforts, including Joseph’s mother distributing tickets near Ohio State University. The band independently released their self-titled debut album in 2009, followed by “Regional at Best” in 2011. Significant lineup changes occurred in 2011 when Salih and Thomas departed, leading to Josh Dun joining Joseph. This new duo structure solidified their core, and they continued to build a local fanbase through consistent touring and social media interaction, culminating in a sold-out Columbus concert that attracted record label interest.

In 2012, Twenty One Pilots signed with Fueled by Ramen, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records. Their major-label debut, “Vessel,” released in 2013, propelled them onto national charts, with singles like “Holding On to You” achieving success. This album notably became the second in history where every track received at least a gold certification. The duo achieved mainstream recognition with their fourth album, “Blurryface,” in 2015, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. This album featured hit singles “Stressed Out” and “Ride” and was the first album to have every track certified gold by the RIAA. Their song “Heathens,” released for the “Suicide Squad” soundtrack in 2016, also significantly contributed to their commercial success, making them only the third rock act in history to have two singles concurrently in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100.

Twenty One Pilots continued to evolve their sound and narrative with subsequent albums including “Trench” (2018), “Scaled and Icy” (2021), and “Clancy” (2024), each building on an elaborate storyline. “Trench” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and dominated rock charts. Their innovative approach extended to interactive campaigns, like a scavenger hunt for “Level of Concern” during the COVID-19 pandemic, which earned a Guinness World Record for the longest music video. The band’s recent releases, “Clancy” and “Breach” (2025), alongside extensive world tours such as The Bandito Tour and The Clancy World Tour, further demonstrate their commitment to musical and thematic development, cementing their status as a prominent alternative rock group.