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Writer's pictureDrew Layman

Twenty One Pilots – Clancy

Twenty One Pilots recently wrapped a three-night residency at Nationwide Arena on their Clancy World Tour. While I couldn’t make it to a show, my social media feed had photos from friends whose kids brought them along, proving the duo’s multi-generational appeal—and serving as another reminder of how time flies. The duo’s seventh studio album Clancy is the biggest-selling rock album of the year.


Fueled By Ramen – 075678610998

2024
Front cover of Twenty One Pilots Clancy

I picked up Clancy on "Bandito" yellow vinyl with an Amazon gift card, and though it’s not yet in heavy rotation at my house, I’m starting to see why it’s resonated with so many. With Columbus landmarks woven into their music videos and the Nationwide Arena shows being recorded for a live album, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun are perhaps the most quintessentially Columbus band we’ve ever seen—and undoubtedly the most commercially successful.


Building on the video album concept pioneered by Columbus indie band The Sun, Twenty One Pilots have elevated the art form, blending storytelling with music in a way that has both casual listeners and die-hard fans hooked. Clancy's storyline—the ongoing saga of its titular character—has become a key part of their success.

Josh Dun (L); Tyler Joseph (R) - October 6, 2024 - Columbus, OH
Josh Dun (L); Tyler Joseph (R) - October 6, 2024 - Columbus, OH

For those unfamiliar, Clancy continues a multi-album narrative that began with 2015’s Blurryface. At its core, it's a science fiction tale in which Clancy is trying to escape Dema, a dystopian city on the continent Trench. He succeeds several times only to be caught by the nine Bishops who are dictatorial rulers of Dema led by Blurryface.

Back cover of Clancy

The beauty of Clancy, however, is that you don’t need to follow the story to enjoy the music. But for those intrigued, here’s a brief dive into the album and how its songs tie into the lore, alongside some standout Columbus references in this project.


Side 1 Highlights

The album opener sets the tone with a driving beat and cryptic and introspective lyrics. The music video, filmed at The Athenaeum downtown, depicts Clancy covertly inspiring rebellion in Dema while employing telekinetic antlers(!) to evade the Bishops.

Still from the "Overcompensate" video showing Josh Dun in the Athenaeum
Still from the "Overcompensate" video showing Josh Dun in the Athenaeum

“Overcompensating is overcorrecting your steering when you’re trying to get back on course," songwriter Tyler Joseph told BBC Radio 1. "There’s a bit of a confidence in it and a bit of a swagger in it that the character needed to embody in order to take on the new role in the story that we’ve been telling. And Clancy’s gonna rise up as that person.”

"Next Semester" promo cover

Inspired by Tyler Joseph’s struggles with anxiety, this track may symbolize the conclusion of Clancy’s journey. The character’s name likely nods to Clancy Way in Westerville, where Joseph once lived.


Backslide

On the surface, this video shows Joseph running errands for a barbecue, with scenes filmed at Centerville Market in Galena and a backyard in German Village. But the deeper metaphor ties to Clancy’s repeated attempts to escape Dema—a parallel to overcoming life’s setbacks.

Clancy Way street sign

This track confronts the complexities of calling Columbus home. From its icy winters to the emotional toll of seasonal depression, the song and video are steeped in local flavor, both lyrically and visually.


Side 2 Highlights

Lavish

With a video featuring scenes from across the city, including Lávash Cafe on High Street and LaShish the Greek on Bethel Rd appearing as plays on the song title, this track offers a satirical look at the lifestyle that fame and money brings. It’s a musical and visual love letter to Columbus, showcasing the duo’s appreciation for their roots.


A reflective track about aging and perseverance, it’s one of the album’s most relatable moments. The song touches on lessons learned and the weight of loss. Making mistakes and pushing through.

Side B of the Clancy cassette

The epic album closer depicts Clancy’s final confrontation with the Bishops. Armed with antler-crafted weapons, Clancy and the Banditos liberate Dema, metaphorically overcoming the fears and insecurities that have haunted him—and perhaps Joseph himself.

Clancy World Tour promo

The album’s dual nature—a standalone work and part of a sprawling narrative—speaks to the band’s strengths. Whether finding Easter eggs and searching for hidden meanings or simply enjoying the music, Clancy offers much to dig into.

Clancy CD face

It’s also a deeply Columbus-centric album, with visuals and themes that should resonate with locals. From familiar landmarks to subtle nods in the lyrics, it’s clear that Twenty One Pilots carry their hometown with them, even as they capture fans' attention worldwide.


If Clancy truly marks the end of this chapter in their career, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the story adapted into a film or series. Until then, it’ll be fascinating to watch what Tyler and Josh dream up next—both for their fans and for Columbus.

Twenty One Pilots at the Home Of The 5th Line, October 6, 2024 - Columbus, OH
Twenty One Pilots at the Home Of The 5th Line, October 6, 2024 - Columbus, OH

A1 Overcompensate

A2 Next Semester

A3 Backslide

A4 Midwest Indigo

A5 Routines In The Night

A6 Vignette

A7 The Craving (Jenna’s Version)

B1 Lavish

B2 Navigating

B3 Snap Back

B4 Oldies Station

B5 At The Risk Of Feeling Dumb

B6 Paladin Strait

October 6, 2024 - Columbus, OH
October 6, 2024 - Columbus, OH

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