Twenty One Pilots introduced youthful power and reckless abandon to the proceedings with a efficiency of The White Stripes‘ “Seven Nation Military” on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame‘s 2025 induction ceremony on Saturday. Watch it under.
Singer Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun paid tribute to fellow duo Meg White and Jack White, who have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame this yr. Sadly, it appears nobody advised Joseph that the enduring “Seven Nation Military” riff isn’t a bass line, however a guitar half channeled by the type of technical wizardry that White is legendary for. Taking part in it on 4 strings is definitely simpler, however when completed in honor of the Stripes being acknowledged as one of many best rock bands ever, it got here off as, at greatest, lazy.
With their shredded curtain face masks and that awkward-as-hell top-down digicam angle on the ultimate verse, the efficiency felt extra like watching a “cowl” than a “tribute” — and there’s a distinction. It’d work superb throughout Twenty One Pilots’ dwell reveals, the place they often incorporate a part of the monitor, however the power felt a bit self-indulgent for the event.
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Nonetheless, “Seven Nation Military” is an iconic track for a purpose; its standing as a unifying and stadium-rocking anthem was pushed into the Center Jap political enviornment final month when a street performance of “Seven Nation Military” in Tehran, Iran, went viral, even catching the eye of Jack White himself.
Earlier this yr, The White Stripes’ 2003 dwell efficiency of the tune on Late Evening with Conan O’Brien was transformed to HD and posted on O’Brien’s official YouTube channel.
The White Stripes broke up in 2011, with Jack White happening to profitable solo profession, whereas Meg White has walked away from the music enterprise fully, and avoiding the general public eye. She was final heard from in 2016, releasing a joint statement with Jack White decrying Donald Trump’s use of “Seven Nation Military” in a marketing campaign video. In 2024, the pair filed a lawsuit in opposition to Trump when he once more used the track in his marketing campaign.
Whereas White himself didn’t efficiency on the R&RHOF ceremony, he did read a loving letter to his “sister” Meg as a part of his acceptance speech. In the meantime, Olivia Rodrigo and Feist teamed up for a performance of “We’re Gonna Be Friends.”
The 2025 Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame Class additionally contains Soundgarden, Unhealthy Firm, OutKast, Cyndi Lauper, Chubby Checker, and Joe Cocker within the performer class.
The induction ceremony aired dwell on Disney+ on Saturday, November eighth, and might be out there to stream on-demand following the ceremony. Find our full coverage here.
🎸 twenty one pilots apresentou o cowl de “Seven Nation Military”, do The White Stripes, no Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame 🤘 pic.twitter.com/KiHMDO3iop
— acervo twenty one pilots (@acervopilots) November 9, 2025
