Twenty One Pilots

Twenty One Pilots
Name	Twenty One Pilots
Origin	Columbus, Ohio, United States
Years active	2009–present
Members	Tyler Joseph; Josh Dun
Past members	Nick Thomas; Chris Salih
Genres	Alternative hip hop; electropop; indie pop; rock
Labels	Fueled by Ramen; Atlantic Records

Twenty One Pilots is an American musical duo formed in Columbus, Ohio, noted for blending genres and for high-energy live shows. The group achieved mainstream success with multi-platinum albums and singles that charted internationally, accompanied by a distinct visual aesthetic and theatrical stagecraft. Their career intersects with major contemporary acts, festivals, and award ceremonies across the United States and worldwide.

History

The project began in Columbus, Ohio, in 2009 when founder Tyler Joseph recruited local musicians and worked within the Columbus, Ohio music scene alongside venues such as Schottenstein Center and community organizations like Wexner Center for the Arts. Early lineups included Nick Thomas and Chris Salih, who departed before the band's signing to Fueled by Ramen, a label associated with artists such as Paramore, Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco and Paramore (band). After releasing indie records and touring with regional acts, Joseph partnered with drummer Josh Dun, formerly of House of Heroes in sessions that led to broader attention from Atlantic Records and national promoters. Breakthrough success followed the release of albums that connected them to radio formats represented by Billboard Hot 100, streaming platforms tied to Spotify, and televised appearances on programs like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Their touring history includes shared bills with Eminem, Imagine Dragons, Coldplay, and festival slots at Lollapalooza, Glastonbury Festival, and Coachella.

Band members

Current lineup centers on Tyler Joseph, a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who has worked with collaborators including producers from Los Angeles, New York City, and London. Josh Dun, a drummer with prior associations to House of Heroes and session work in the Midwest circuit, joined as a full-time member and co-performer. Past contributors such as Nick Thomas and Chris Salih moved on to projects in the Ohio scene and independent production. Management and creative teams have included professionals with ties to agencies like CAA, A&R representatives from Fueled by Ramen, and tour staff experienced with promoters such as Live Nation and AEG Presents.

Musical style and influences

The duo's music synthesizes elements from artists and genres represented by names like Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Billy Joel, Imogen Heap, My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park, Gorillaz, The Postal Service, Coldplay, Prince, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Arcade Fire, MGMT, Childish Gambino, Queen, Beck, Kanye West, Rihanna, Adele, Sufjan Stevens, Travis Scott, Portishead, The Smiths, The Cure, Deftones, Santana, Fiona Apple, and PJ Harvey. Production approaches reference techniques used by producers associated with Rick Rubin, Mark Ronson, Butch Vig, Max Martin, and Greg Kurstin. Their songwriting often draws comparisons to lyricists such as Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen, while arrangements echo influences from jazz artists linked to the Blue Note Records roster and electronic innovators who recorded at studios like Abbey Road Studios and Sun Studio.

Albums and notable songs

Key studio albums include an early independent self-release, followed by major-label records that yielded hit singles charting on Billboard 200 and UK Singles Chart. Notable tracks that propelled the band include songs that received airplay onBBC Radio 1, streaming playlists curated by Apple Music, and viral sharing across social platforms affiliated with YouTube Music and TikTok. Singles have been included in year-end lists from outlets such as Rolling Stone, NME, Pitchfork, The Guardian (newspaper), Billboard (magazine), and Variety (magazine). Collaborations and remixes have involved artists from labels like Atlantic Records and guest features with musicians connected to Eminem, Halsey, Macklemore, Florence and the Machine, and producers from Los Angeles and London.

Live performances and tours

Their touring history encompasses headlining world tours promoted by companies such as Live Nation, residency-style performances in venues like Madison Square Garden, and festival appearances at Bonnaroo, Glastonbury Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, and Roskilde Festival. The duo has performed on television stages including Saturday Night Live, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and award shows such as the Grammy Awards and MTV Video Music Awards. Supporting roles on tours for bands like Imagine Dragons and joint festival bills alongside Green Day, The Killers, Twenty One Pilots-era contemporaries, and electronic acts have expanded their audience across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

Visual identity and stagecraft

Visual motifs reference theatrical practitioners and designers linked to institutions like Broadway productions, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and filmic auteurs associated with studios such as A24 and Warner Bros.. Costuming choices and iconography have parallels with performance art from artists represented by galleries connected to MoMA and Tate Modern. Stagecraft incorporates choreography and production values similar to those used by Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, and Adele, with lighting design by firms experienced on tours for Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead. Music videos employ directors and production crews who have worked on projects for Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, and conceptual designers from MTV Studios.

Critical reception and awards

Critical response spans reviews from publications including Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NME, The New York Times, The Guardian (newspaper), Los Angeles Times, and The Atlantic (magazine). Awards and nominations include recognition at the Grammy Awards, wins at the MTV Video Music Awards, and honors from industry organizations such as the American Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards. Chart performance across Billboard 200, UK Albums Chart, and streaming tallies on Spotify and Apple Music reflect significant commercial impact, while peer recognition includes mentions from contemporaries like Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Coldplay, and Imagine Dragons.

Category:American musical duos