Twenty One Pilots, formed in Columbus, Ohio in 2009, is an American musical duo currently composed of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun. Originally a band, the lineup shifted after the departure of Nick Thomas and Chris Salih in 2011. Their singles "Stressed Out", "Ride", and "Heathens" propelled them to commercial success, even earning them a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in 2016 for "Stressed Out".
1947: Inspiration for Band Name
Twenty One Pilots drew inspiration for their band name from Arthur Miller's 1947 play "All My Sons". The play's themes of moral dilemmas and the consequences of decisions resonated with the band's philosophy.
2007: Tyler Joseph's Early Musical Endeavors
In 2007, Tyler Joseph, inspired by an old keyboard, began exploring music and released a solo EP titled "No Phun Intended."
December 29, 2009: Debut Album Release and Early Tours
On December 29, 2009, Twenty One Pilots released their self-titled debut album and started touring locally in Ohio, with grassroots marketing efforts.
2009: Twenty One Pilots forms
In 2009, Tyler Joseph formed Twenty One Pilots with Nick Thomas and Chris Salih in Columbus, Ohio.
2009: Debut Album Release
Twenty One Pilots independently released their debut self-titled album in 2009.
2009: Band Formation and Early Collaboration
Tyler Joseph and Chris Salih decided to start a band in 2009, later joined by Nick Thomas, and began conceptualizing their music in a basement.
2010: SoundCloud Releases and Josh Dun's Introduction
The band gained attention in 2010 by posting a cover of "Jar of Hearts" and their original song "Time to Say Goodbye" on SoundCloud, which introduced them to future drummer Josh Dun.
May 8, 2011: Chris Salih Leaves the Band
Chris Salih left Twenty One Pilots on May 8, 2011, to focus on his career.
July 8, 2011: Release of "Regional at Best" and Lineup Change
On July 8, 2011, Twenty One Pilots, now with Josh Dun as drummer, released their second album, "Regional at Best."
November 2011: Sold-Out Show and Label Interest
A sold-out show in Columbus, Ohio, in November 2011 attracted record label attention, while the band continued to engage fans online, releasing songs like "House of Gold" and "Two."
2011: "Regional at Best" Release
The band put out their second independent album, "Regional at Best," in 2011.
2011: Departure of Founding Members
In 2011, founding members Nick Thomas and Chris Salih left Twenty One Pilots to pursue other opportunities.
2011: Musical Collaborations and Video Appearances
In 2011, Twenty One Pilots collaborated with Five14 church on their album "Clear" and Tyler Joseph appeared in various video projects.
April 2012: Signing with Atlantic Records
In April 2012, Twenty One Pilots announced their signing with Atlantic Records subsidiary Fueled by Ramen.
July 17, 2012: "Three Songs" EP Release
Twenty One Pilots released their debut EP with Fueled by Ramen, "Three Songs," on July 17, 2012.
November 12, 2012: "Holding On to You" Music Video Release
The music video for "Holding On to You," directed by Jordan Bahat, was released on November 12, 2012.
2012: Signing with Fueled by Ramen
Twenty One Pilots signed with record label Fueled by Ramen in 2012, marking a turning point in their career.
January 8, 2013: Vessel Release
On January 8, 2013, Twenty One Pilots released their third studio album, "Vessel," which achieved significant success on the Billboard charts, reaching No. 21 on the Billboard 200 and securing top 10 positions on various other charts.
April 17, 2013: "Lovely" Single Release in Japan
Twenty One Pilots re-recorded "Lovely" from their "Regional at Best" album and released it as a single in Japan on April 17, 2013.
April 19, 2013: Release of Music Videos
On April 19, 2013, Twenty One Pilots released the music video for their single "Car Radio," directed by Mark Eshleman.
August 8, 2013: Conan Performance
On August 8, 2013, Twenty One Pilots made their late-night television debut, performing "House of Gold" on Conan. This marked a significant step in their growing popularity and exposure to a wider audience.
2013: "Vessel" Achieves Gold Certification
Their label debut album, "Vessel," was released in 2013 and became a major success, with every track achieving at least a gold certification.
March 17, 2014: MTVU Woodie Awards Performance
Twenty One Pilots performed at the MTVU Woodie Awards during SXSW on March 17, 2014, showcasing their music to a youthful and influential audience at a major music event.
September 2014: Quiet Is Violent World Tour
Twenty One Pilots embarked on their first headlining tour, the Quiet Is Violent World Tour, in September 2014, marking a significant milestone in their career. The tour, spanning across various cities, solidified their status as a major act in the alternative music scene.
December 31, 2014: "Ode to Sleep" Music Video Release
On December 31, 2014, Twenty One Pilots released the music video for "Ode to Sleep." The video, compiled of footage from their past concerts, visually represented their journey from humble beginnings to national recognition.
March 16, 2015: Blurryface Album Announcement
On March 16, 2015, Twenty One Pilots announced their upcoming fourth studio album, "Blurryface," creating significant anticipation amongst their fanbase for the release scheduled for May 19th.
April 5, 2015: "Tear in My Heart" Release
On April 5, 2015, Twenty One Pilots released "Tear in My Heart," their second single from the highly anticipated "Blurryface" album, accompanied by a visually captivating music video.
May 11, 2015: Blurryface Tour Begins
Twenty One Pilots kicked off their Blurryface Tour in Glasgow, Scotland on May 11, 2015, marking the beginning of a global journey promoting their acclaimed album. The tour spanned across various countries, including the US, England, and Canada, further solidifying their international appeal.
May 17, 2015: Blurryface Release
On May 17, 2015, Twenty One Pilots released "Blurryface" two days ahead of schedule. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling an impressive 134,000 copies in its first week, marking a major commercial breakthrough for the band.
September 8, 2015: Blurryface US Tour Leg
On September 8, 2015, Twenty One Pilots began the US leg of their Blurryface Tour, featuring supporting acts Echosmith and Finish Ticket. The tour reinforced their immense popularity within the United States, playing to large enthusiastic crowds across the country.
September 14, 2015: Late Night with Seth Meyers Performance
Twenty One Pilots performed their hit single, "Stressed Out," on Late Night with Seth Meyers on September 14, 2015, showcasing their unique sound and energetic performance style to a broader television audience.
2015: Breakthrough Success with "Blurryface"
Twenty One Pilots achieved mainstream success in 2015 with the release of their fourth album, "Blurryface," featuring hit singles like "Stressed Out" and "Ride."
2015: Fox Oakland Theatre Performances
In 2015, Twenty One Pilots performed two memorable shows at the Fox Oakland Theatre as part of their Blurryface Tour. These performances, later documented in their "Blurryface Live" vinyl album, showcased the raw energy and connection they established with their audience, contributing to their growing reputation as a must-see live act.
2015: Record-Breaking Success and Chart Domination
In 2015, "Blurryface" became the first album in history to have every track receive at least a gold certification from the RIAA. The singles "Stressed Out" and "Ride" topped charts, and the release of "Heathens" made them the first alternative artist with two concurrent top-five singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
February 2016: London Shows and UK Tour
In February 2016, Twenty One Pilots announced a London show, which expanded into a series of UK dates, including a second London performance due to high demand. The UK tour, with Transviolet as the opening act, demonstrated their growing popularity in the UK music scene.
May 22, 2016: Billboard Music Awards Wins
Twenty One Pilots received two Billboard Music Awards on May 22, 2016, for "Top Rock Album" for "Blurryface" and "Top Rock Artist," signifying their significant impact on the music industry.
May 31, 2016: Emotional Roadshow World Tour
Twenty One Pilots embarked on their second tour for the "Blurryface" album, titled the Emotional Roadshow World Tour, on May 31, 2016, starting in their hometown of Cincinnati. This extensive tour, featuring supporting acts Chef'Special and Mutemath in the US and Bry in Europe, further cemented their global success, reaching audiences across North America, Europe, and Australia.
June 16, 2016: "Heathens" Release
On June 16, 2016, Twenty One Pilots released "Heathens," the lead single from the Suicide Squad soundtrack, a day earlier than its scheduled release due to an online leak. This marked their foray into contributing to major film soundtracks, further diversifying their musical portfolio.
June 21, 2016: "Heathens" Music Video Release
On June 21, 2016, Twenty One Pilots released the music video for "Heathens," further promoting the single from the Suicide Squad soundtrack. The video's dark and moody aesthetic complemented the song's themes and the film's tone, garnering significant attention from both music and film enthusiasts.
September 2016: My Chemical Romance Cover Release
In September 2016, Twenty One Pilots contributed their rendition of My Chemical Romance's "Cancer" to the tribute album "Rock Sound Presents: The Black Parade." Their interpretation of the piano ballad showcased their musical versatility and respect for a fellow influential band, earning praise from fans of both groups.
October 8, 2016: Saturday Night Live Performance
Twenty One Pilots marked another significant milestone in their career with a performance on Saturday Night Live on October 8, 2016. They delivered powerful orchestral renditions of "Heathens" and "Ride," captivating a wide audience with their musicality and theatricality.
November 2016: Skeleton Clique Art at Wood Green Station
In November 2016, the Wood Green tube station in London was decorated with artwork related to Twenty One Pilots' fandom, the "Skeleton Clique".
November 2016: Announcement of Hiatus
In November 2016, Twenty One Pilots revealed their intention to "go dark" after concluding the Blurryface Tour to focus on new music. Their focus, as stated by Tyler Joseph, was to prioritize the lyrical content, aiming to recapture the raw emotion and fearlessness of their self-titled debut.
November 25, 2016: Blurryface Live Release
On November 25, 2016, Twenty One Pilots released "Blurryface Live," a limited-edition live vinyl album documenting two performances from their 2015 Blurryface Tour at the Fox Oakland Theatre. This release allowed fans to relive the energy and excitement of their live shows, further solidifying their reputation as a captivating live act.
2016: Commercial Success and Grammy Win
Twenty One Pilots experienced significant commercial success in 2016, with their singles "Stressed Out," "Ride," and "Heathens" topping charts. They also won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Stressed Out."
February 12, 2017: Grammy Award Win
Twenty One Pilots achieved a major career milestone on February 12, 2017, winning their first Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their hit single, "Stressed Out." Their memorable acceptance speech, delivered in their underwear as a fulfillment of a promise from their early days, added to the unique character of the band.
March 27, 2017: Tour De Columbus Tickets On Sale
On March 27, 2017, Twenty One Pilots began selling tickets for Tour De Columbus, a five-date hometown tour scheduled for June 2017. The tour, a celebration of their roots and a thank you to their loyal fanbase, reflected their strong connection to their hometown.
June 2017: Tour De Columbus
In June 2017, Twenty One Pilots returned to Columbus for their Tour De Columbus, performing at various intimate venues where they started their musical journey. This special tour culminated in two grand arena shows, blending nostalgia with their current success.
June 2017: Artopia Exhibition
An art exhibition titled "Artopia", showcasing artwork from Twenty One Pilots' fandom, the "Skeleton Clique", was held at the Nationwide Arena in June 2017.
July 2017: Social Media Activity
In July 2017, Twenty One Pilots sparked intrigue among fans with cryptic social media posts featuring an eye closing over lyrics from their previous songs. This activity hinted at the creative process for their upcoming music, building anticipation for their return from their self-imposed hiatus.
March 2018: "Hometown" Gold Certification
In March 2018, "Hometown" from their "Blurryface" album received a gold certification from the RIAA. This achievement marked a significant milestone for the band, making "Blurryface" the first full-length album to have every track achieve at least gold certification, highlighting the widespread popularity and commercial success of the album.
April 2018: Cryptic messages hint at Twenty One Pilots' return
In April 2018, fans uncovered a cryptic message on Twenty One Pilots' web store, leading them to a website with clues about the band's potential comeback. The website featured images and letters from a character named "Clancy," sparking speculation among fans.
July 11, 2018: Twenty One Pilots release "Jumpsuit" and "Nico and the Niners"
On July 11, 2018, Twenty One Pilots released two new songs, "Jumpsuit" and "Nico and the Niners," along with the music video for "Jumpsuit."
July 2018: Twenty One Pilots ends hiatus with new music and branding
Ending their year-long silence in July 2018, Twenty One Pilots sent a cryptic email to fans before posting a video on social media, updating their logo and branding. Tyler Joseph gave his first interview in over a year, discussing the band's hiatus, new album, and his personal struggles.
July 26, 2018: Music video for "Nico and the Niners" released
On July 26, 2018, Twenty One Pilots released the music video for "Nico and the Niners."
August 8, 2018: "Levitate" released as single with music video
On August 8, 2018, Twenty One Pilots released "Levitate" as their third single from the album, accompanied by a music video.
August 20, 2018: Snippet of "My Blood" featured in MTV VMAs commercial
A ten-second snippet of "My Blood" was played during a commercial for Twenty One Pilots' upcoming album at the MTV VMAs on August 20, 2018.
August 27, 2018: "My Blood" released as single
On August 27, 2018, Twenty One Pilots released "My Blood" as the fourth single from their upcoming album.
September 12, 2018: Twenty One Pilots perform first live show in over a year
On September 12, 2018, Twenty One Pilots played their first live show in over a year at O2 Brixton Academy in London. The show, titled "A Complete Diversion," served as a promotional event for their upcoming album "Trench" and tour.
October 5, 2018: Twenty One Pilots release fifth album "Trench"
Twenty One Pilots released their highly anticipated fifth album, "Trench," on October 5, 2018, accompanied by the release of the music video for their single "My Blood."
2018: Release of "Trench"
Twenty One Pilots released their fifth studio album, "Trench," in 2018.
January 22, 2019: Music video for "Chlorine" released
Twenty One Pilots unveiled the music video for their single "Chlorine" on January 22, 2019, featuring an alien-like creature called "Ned."
March 4, 2019: Twenty One Pilots confirm work on their next album
On March 4, 2019, Twenty One Pilots confirmed they were working on their next studio album, hinting at a new character and narrative.
June 19, 2019: Re-imagined version of "Chlorine" released
A re-imagined version of "Chlorine," titled "Chlorine (19.4326° N, 99.1332° W)," was released on June 19, 2019, as the first song from their "Location Sessions" extended play.
July 16, 2019: "The Hype" released as single
On July 16, 2019, "The Hype" was released as the sixth and final single from their album "Trench."
2019: Twenty One Pilots embark on worldwide "Bandito Tour"
Twenty One Pilots embarked on their worldwide "Bandito Tour" in 2019, featuring their characteristic energetic performances and stunts.
April 9, 2020: Twenty One Pilots release "Level of Concern"
On April 9, 2020, Twenty One Pilots released "Level of Concern," their first musical output since "Trench." The song and its accompanying home-made music video reflected anxieties related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
December 8, 2020: Twenty One Pilots release Christmas single
Following a Twitch stream by Tyler Joseph, Twenty One Pilots released a Christmas single titled "Christmas Saves the Year" on December 8, 2020.
April 30, 2021: "Choker" released as single
On April 30, 2021, Twenty One Pilots released "Choker," the second single from their album "Scaled and Icy."
May 18, 2021: "Saturday" released as single
On May 18, 2021, Twenty One Pilots released "Saturday," the third single from their album "Scaled and Icy."
May 21, 2021: Twenty One Pilots release sixth album "Scaled and Icy"
Twenty One Pilots released their sixth studio album, "Scaled and Icy," on May 21, 2021. The album's title is an anagram of "Clancy is dead" and a play on the phrase "scaled back and isolated," reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 16, 2021: Twenty One Pilots announce "Takeover Tour"
On June 16, 2021, Twenty One Pilots announced their "Takeover Tour," where they would spend a week in each city, performing at both small clubs and large venues.
September 2021: "Takeover Tour" begins in Denver
Twenty One Pilots kicked off their "Takeover Tour" in Denver, Colorado in September 2021.
September 17, 2021: Twenty One Pilots perform virtual concert on Roblox
On September 17, 2021, Twenty One Pilots held a virtual concert for the online video game platform Roblox.
November 19, 2021: Scaled and Icy (Livestream Version) Release
On November 19, 2021, Twenty One Pilots released "Scaled and Icy (Livestream Version)", featuring songs from their livestream concert and "Level of Concern".
November 24, 2021: The Outside Single Release
On November 24, 2021, Twenty One Pilots released "The Outside" as the fourth single from their album "Scaled and Icy".
December 8, 2021: Christmas Saves the Year Music Video Release
Twenty One Pilots released a music video for their song "Christmas Saves the Year" on December 8, 2021.
2021: Release of "Scaled and Icy"
Their sixth studio album, "Scaled and Icy," came out in 2021.
March 18, 2022: The Outside Music Video Release
The music video for Twenty One Pilots' single "The Outside" was released on March 18, 2022.
May 19, 2022: Extended cut of livestream concert released in theaters
On May 19, 2022, an extended cut of Twenty One Pilots' livestream concert, which originally took place on May 21, 2021, was released in over 1,000 theaters worldwide. The release included behind-the-scenes footage.
June 9, 2022: MTV Unplugged Performance
Twenty One Pilots performed new versions of their songs on MTV Unplugged on June 9, 2022.
June 25, 2022: "Takeover Tour" concludes in London
On June 25, 2022, Twenty One Pilots concluded their "Takeover Tour" in London.
July 22, 2022: Stranger Things Performance Release
On July 22, 2022, Twenty One Pilots released a live performance video where they mashed up the Stranger Things theme song with their song "Heathens".
August 2022: The Icy Tour Begins
The Icy Tour, a rebranded second leg of the Takeover Tour, began in August 2022, focusing on arena shows.
January 8, 2023: Vessel Re-release and Livestream
On January 8, 2023, Twenty One Pilots re-released their album "Vessel" as a limited edition vinyl boxset, accompanied by a YouTube livestream celebrating its tenth anniversary. The livestream was a partnership and fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
February 3, 2023: Vessel Box Set Release
The limited edition vinyl boxset of Twenty One Pilots' album "Vessel" was released on February 3, 2023.
February 15, 2024: Album Cover Art Updates
The cover art of Twenty One Pilots' albums "Vessel", "Blurryface", "Trench", and "Scaled and Icy" were updated on streaming platforms on February 15, 2024, featuring a partial red tape overlay, hinting at a new album.
May 2024: An Evening with Twenty One Pilots
Throughout May 2024, Twenty One Pilots will hold five small-scale concerts titled "An Evening with Twenty One Pilots".
August 2024: Clancy World Tour Begins
The Clancy World Tour, in support of Twenty One Pilots' album "Clancy", is scheduled to begin in August 2024 in Denver, Colorado.
2024: Upcoming Album "Clancy"
Their seventh studio album, "Clancy," is scheduled to be released in 2024.
May 2025: Clancy World Tour Concludes
The Clancy World Tour is scheduled to conclude in May 2025 in London.