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KROQ PRESENTS
Live at The Bellwether
October 27th, 2025 Review by Joey Clark
In a city saturated with concerts, festivals, and endless live music options, it takes something truly special to stand out.
On October 22nd, that something special came in the form of a private Twenty One Pilots concert hosted by the World Famous KROQ at The Bellwether in downtown Los Angeles. Attendance was limited strictly to contest winners – no tickets sold, no public entry. This show was for the fans.
Hours proceeding the show a line had wrapped around the block filled with diehard Twenty One Pilots fans; hardcore admirers of the band have been known to line up for days ahead of the duo’s performances for a chance at nabbing a spot on the barricade.
We had been instructed upon entry to seal our phones in pouches, making the event entirely phone-free. In an era where every show is filmed, streamed, and instantly shared, this decision was both surprising and refreshing.
Some concertgoers were hesitant at first, but the choice made for a great night. It was a beautiful sight to witness people truly get lost in a show without the distraction of their cell phones – no bright screens to disturb, no separation from the performance and no need to justify one’s existence through social media, rather than live in the moment.
The evening kicked off with a set from Dayglow, the indie-pop project created by Texas native, Sloan Struble. Known for their upbeat, rich sound and stage presence, Dayglow was a perfect choice to open the night.
From the moment he stepped into the light, Struble commanded the stage with charisma. His music provided a nice sound scape to get lost in. Backed by a tight band, he delivered renditions of songs like “Close to You,” “Run the World!!!,” and his breakout hit, “Can I Call You Tonight?”
When the lights fell again and the first notes of Twenty One Pilots’ opening track, “Overcompensate,” resonated through The Bellwether, the room erupted.
Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun have long mastered the art of live performance, and that night they proved that an intimate venue couldn’t restrict the power of their showmanship, if anything it amplified it. Without pyrotechnics, massive LED screens, or the scale of their arena/stadium shows, the focus shifted to transcendent vocals, impeccable rhythm, and emotional connection.
Hitting the stage by running out and jumping over his piano, Joseph filled the room with his vocals; they were strong as ever as his voice echoed through every inch of The Bellwether. Dun’s drumming was meticulous yet explosive, providing an incredible rhythmic foundation for the night.
The duo’s chemistry was undeniable; even after more than a decade together, they performed with the urgency of artists still discovering new ways to move a crowd.
THE BELLWETHER
Los Angeles, California
October 23rd, 2025
The setlist was a carefully curated mix of eras, primarily focusing on the newer material of “Clancy” and “Breach.” Tracks from previous releases like “Heathens” and “Jumpsuit” prompted immediate singalongs, while more introspective tracks such as “Tear in My Heart” and “Tally” served as cathartic, reflective moments and reminders of the emotional depth that defines the band’s work.
Newer cuts from their 2025 album, “Breach” fit flawlessly into the mix, including the live – and extremely emotional – debut of “Downstairs.”
Between songs, Joseph spoke about how special the night felt and thanked KROQ and the fans for the support over the years. His words weren’t empty stage banter; they carried the sincerity of someone who understood the importance of a communal experience in an increasingly disconnected world.
The absence of phones truly transformed the energy of the night. Without the constant glow of screens, the audience was more present, more responsive. The screams, the singalongs, and the laughter were truly collective. Throughout the night Joseph and Dun stepped off the stage and performed within the crowd, being held up by their loyal fans – a sense of true trust. Instead of being greeted by hundreds of phone screens they saw pure joy spread across the crowd’s faces during their performance.
If there was any complaint to be made, it was only that the set ended too soon, but each moment was packed with the same emotional weight during its runtime.
They closed with the bittersweet “Trees” and fans swayed alongside one another, sang in unison, and for a few more minutes, let the world fall away. When the final chord rang out, the applause was deafening and heartfelt. Joseph and Dun said their farewells and appeared grateful to see the audience that had taken over The Bellwether.
KROQ’s private concert with Twenty One Pilots was more than a promotional event. With Dayglow’s vibrant setlist and Twenty One Pilots’ raw emotional power, the night served as a reminder why we place value on live performance: genuine connection.
For those of us fortunate enough to be in attendance on October 22nd we knew this wasn’t just another show in Los Angeles… It was a celebration.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
Courtesy of Mason Castillo
TO FOLLOW
SID 251029 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
