Photos and review by Zachary Coleman
Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley from Auckland, New Zealand make up the band Balu Brigada. The pop duo has released multiple self-produced singles since 2017 and eventually made their way to Brooklyn, New York where they were signed to Atlantic Records in 2022. Through Atlantic Records, the pop duo released their debut EP “I Should Be Home” on September 23, 2022 and then released their follow up EP “Find A Way” on July 28, 2023. Both EPs have racked up millions of streams since their releases. On June 7, 2024, Balu Brigada geared up for their biggest release yet with their newest single “So Cold.” The single has over four million streams on Spotify alone and is going to be featured on the official soundtrack for the new EA Sports FC 2025 video game. The single was produced by Paul Meany who you may recognize as the frontman from Mutemath or the producer of most of Twenty One Pilots’ releases since their album “Trench.” This is probably how Balu Brigada got to be the opening band to Twenty One Pilots’ Clancy World Tour.
Twenty One Pilots announced Balu Brigada would be opening for the North American leg of their massive world tour just six days before the start of the tour. Balu Brigada started opening the arena tour on August 15, 2024 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The band is set to play in 30 cities across the United States and Canada and the first leg of the tour is nearing its end as it reaches Twenty One Pilots’ hometown of Columbus, Ohio where both bands will be playing three near sold out nights at Nationwide Arena. Balu Brigada started their set with their song “Moon Man” off their debut EP and then went into newer releases including the songs “2good” and “Designer” off of their sophomore EP. The band even played a couple songs yet to be released entitled “But I Do” and “The Question.” The band ended their eight song set with their successful new single “So Cold.” Even though Balu Brigada didn’t interact with the crowd too much during their 30 minute set, you could tell they were loving their time on stage being in front of the headliner’s hometown.
Twenty One Pilots have had notable openers in the past ranging from Mutemath, Judah & the Lion, Misterwives, Echosmith, and Jon Bellion to name a few. However, I believe Balu Brigada left an impact on the diehard fan base of Twenty One Pilots. The thing I’ve noticed about the “Skeleton Clique” (the name of the Twenty One Pilots fan base) is when they love an opener, they will stick by them and support them almost as much as they do for Twenty One Pilots. I would best describe Balu Brigada as an alternative pop band with crazy hooks that get stuck in your head for days. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the band whenever I started listening to them, but I found myself singing their songs to myself days after the initial listen. They leave an impact and that’s exactly what the band did in Columbus, Ohio during those three shows.
If you’re a fan of The 1975, COIN, The Band Camino, or Colony House; this band may be for you. Go ahead, do yourself a favor, and check them out.
Read the article for Twenty One Pilots performance in Columbus, Ohio on10/05 here