WITH a US number one album under their belts, it’s not surprising that tickets to Twenty One Pilots’ current ‘Blurryface’ tour are like gold dust. The lads’ reputation precedes them, and the buzz amongst the sold out crowd at Bristol’s O2 Academy reflected that.

Twenty One Pilots are unlike any other band around and resolutely refuse to be placed in any specific category of rock, pop or hip hop. At times I was reminded of being at a 90s rave whilst others I was back at a 70s disco. Throw in some hip hop, grime, rap and electronica and you’ve just about got it. Genre-defying indeed.

Blasting onto the stage in their famous balaclavas, the Ohio duo of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun pumped up the volume and pumped up the crowd, starting off as they meant to go on with a monumental live version of their hit track Heavydirtysoul; one of the best from their fourth album.

Twenty One Pilots have worked really hard for their success, which has been a long time coming in the UK, and their experience on the road really shows in their performance. These guys smashed it.

From back flips off the piano to playing drums on a platform pushed onto fans in the mosh pit, these guys sure know how to party. Encouraging fans to climb on each others’ shoulders and at one point even climbing up onto the O2’s side stairs to dangle above the crowd below, the boys barely needed the dry ice cannons and confetti – but they used them anyway! Coupled with numerous costume changes from singer Tyler Joseph the youthful audience were kept fully entertained from start to finish

Working through a set list which started with Heavydirtysoul, the packed in crowd bounced and song along to all their favourites, including Stressed Out, Guns For Hands, Lane Boy, Holding On To You, The Run And Go and Car Radio.

Goner and Trees brought the evening to a close with a bang, as both Josh and Tyler ventured back out into the crowd to disappear in a cloud of dry ice whilst banging their respective drums.

If you haven’t seen them yet, make sure you get to see them before they become too big for smaller venues. It will happen.