It’s not every day a drum gets stolen from the middle of an arena — especially not one that belongs to Twenty One Pilots.
But that’s exactly what happened on May 11, 2025, at Manchester’s AO Arena during the band’s sold-out show. As the final notes of “Trees” rang out and the confetti settled, someone walked off with one of the most iconic pieces of gear from the night: a bass drum used in the band’s fan-favorite finale.
For the uninitiated, “Trees” has long been a staple of Twenty One Pilots’ live shows, known for its climactic moment where Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun each climb atop separate drums and play in the crowd, surrounded by fans. It’s chaotic, high-energy — and apparently, a tempting opportunity for a would-be thief.
As the crowd dispersed, a fan was spotted on video casually strolling out of the arena carrying the drum, which still had the band’s logo emblazoned on it. The clip, which quickly made its rounds on TikTok and Instagram, even showed the individual passing a security guard — and being waved through without question.
While the moment could’ve become a bizarre footnote in the band’s tour, what happened next turned it into something way more interesting.
Enter the Skeleton Clique.
Within hours, fans across social media began sharing footage, screenshots, and theories. The community went full detective mode, identifying the person in the video and even tracing the drum to a nearby hotel. Their efforts paid off. Thanks to the fan-powered investigation, the band’s touring crew was able to locate and retrieve the drum.
In a tour already full of high points, this unlikely mystery gave fans a new reason to rally. What could’ve been a disappointing loss turned into a story of dedication, resourcefulness, and the strange power of online fandom.
Neither the band nor the fan responsible has publicly commented on the situation yet, but the message is clear: if you mess with Twenty One Pilots, you mess with the Clique.
And they will find you.
