Why are so many fans lined up early for Twenty One Pilots?

Band will perform at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena on Friday night

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – What would you do to get a front-row spot at a concert by your favorite band?

News4Jax caught up with about two dozen fans, some of whom have been waiting in line outside Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena since Wednesday for a Twenty One Pilots concert, which takes place Friday.

The American musical duo, originally from Columbus, Ohio, first formed in 2009 and later won a Grammy award. Fans News4Jax spoke to Thursday night will be among the first through the doors.

"We got here Wednesday around 2 or 3 (p.m.)," one fan said.

The line of die-hard fans was a block long, and they already have tickets. However, the tickets are general admission on the arena floor, which means whoever's in first gets closest to the stage.

With more than 20 hours to go before concert time, Cara Zinchini, from Maryland, was anxiously waiting.

"It's been hot. I'm not used to this weather!" she said.

A little stressed out at times, some of these fans have been, thanks to Jacksonville's erratic weather.

"It's very hot," said Rylee Ruth, from Tampa. "The wind has been nice. It's been a mixture of hot and rain. It's not the best combination."

Most said the wait is totally worth it. Some said after Friday night's concert, they will likely head to Orlando's Amway Center, where Twenty One Pilots is performing Sunday. 

One fan, Ashlynn Van Buren, has even made it to 16 shows where she met her friend, Emily Kutsmeda. 

“I didn’t know her until now, and now we’re like, buds,” said Van Buren.

Kautsmeda even claimed that Twenty One Pilots' music and the community of fans saved her life.

"Yeah, we’re like best buds already. There’s just something with this fan base, first of all, it’s like, everyone’s just a family almost. It makes you want to go to more shows. It makes you want to camp more and meet more people. Also just being front row for that whole experience, when they come into the pit, and you get to hold up people who have like... saved your life...it’s just everything,” said Kutsmeda.


About the Authors:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.