Show Review: Turnstile @ XL Live in Harrisburg, PA

The first ever TURNSTILE show was supposed to be a benefit show for me.

That's what I was told anyway. Not by the band, but by a goofy Baltimore show promoter, who often over sold and under delivered.

The show took place in Charm City's best venue for hardcore shows and subterranean fist fights, The Sidebar. Turnstile opened and Stout headlined. Imagine that!

I have to imagine it too. I didn't go when I learned the benefit tag had been lifted, or rather, never applied. Regardless, my point was just to establish my "I've kinda been there from the beginning" bragging rights for the hottest band in all of rock and roll.

If I'm being honest, the band didn't appeal to me on their first two EP's. I only came around to their sound with 2015's Nonstop Feeling (Reaper Records). Since then, I've enjoyed watching their ascent as well deserved Grammy nominated rock stars. And when the date was announced for their November 21st show at XL Live in Harrisburg, PA, it felt like the last chance to catch them in a semi-intimate environment. So I quickly scooped tickets.

The last date on the second leg of the Turnstile Love Connection Tour kicked off a half hour later than advertised when Sheer Mag hit the stage.

The Philadelphia quintet immediately blasted the eager crowd with their glamorous 70's styled rock and roll. Vocalist Tina Halliday stalked the stage with expert command and a truly impressive vocal performance. Though the band were only a part of the last three dates of the TLC Tour, they played as though they had been on the road for a month. Tight and succinct, Sheer Mag made their set count for a crowd that were most likely, previously unfamiliar.

Snail Mail were next on the bill and had been filling the main support slot since the tour kicked off in early October. The indie rock group based out of Baltimore suburb Ellicot City, is fronted by singer and guitarist Lindsey Jordan.

Jordan and her band appeared confident and comfortable in front of the sold out crowd. Though most, if not all, of the previous tour dates were sell outs as well, so I'm sure they were accustom to the capacity. Through lighthearted banter and endearing melodies, Snail Mail connected with many of their own fans in attendance and certainly made new ones on the spot.

Then we waited...

It felt like awhile, but maybe it wasn't. Is that how anticipation works? There was that lost feeling of hype in the heart of this jaded old dude, or maybe that was my cold affecting my breathing patterns. Still, I tossed another Hall's down the hatch and stared at the stage the way one stares up the street while waiting for a bus in Winter.

Eventually, Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" came over the speakers. That's Turnstile's "we're gonna play after this song" the way Metallica blasts "The Ecstasy Of Gold" from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly before they get to business. Some of the people in attendance seemed to know this, others may have just been excited for something to sing along too. For me, the hit song never felt longer. I am fully aware that guys who turned 38 a few days before the show aren't the bands key demographic, but I just wanted to rock, man. (Safely, from a spot way in the back with my wife, our kid, and our friends.)

And then we did. Turnstile filed on to the stage and busted into the Glow On hit, "Holiday" and the energy was immediately palpable. They kept that vibe fast and punched straight into the opening tracks of 2018's Time & Space with "The Real Thing" and "Big Smile". It was at this point the band made their point that despite their success, they are in fact a hardcore band.

"Who is going to dance with me?" vocalist Brendan Yates asked before the band slipped into "New Heart Design" and threw metaphorical glitter all over the mosh pit crafted by their openers. From their it was straight to "Blackout" and I started to FINALLY realize, "this band has got some fucking hits!" Sometimes a band just needs to stack them up and hit you over the head with them. That's what Turnstile did for track after track before rolling into a lengthy drum solo by Daniel Fang.

Personally, I've witnessed D Fang behind the kit for no less than seven hardcore bands (Mindset, Peace, Sacred Love, etc). Although I knew the man had chops, it was nice to see and hear him have the actual platform to perform the way he can and does with Turnstile. Drum solos have literally never been welcomed at a youth crew show, but maybe it's time they are!

They managed to ease back into their set with the Franz Lyons (bass) fronted "Moon" followed up by "Alien Love Call". However, as if a call back to their opening stanza, the closing set concentrated on that hardcore energy. "Mystery" into "T.L.C. (Turnstile Love Connection)" absolutely smashed as a conclusion to the show and the blast of confetti cannons was an expert touch.

The next shows for Turnstile will be a main support slot for Blink 182 on the U.S. leg of their reunion tour. That's cool as hell. I am happy to have witnessed the absolutely infectious energy this band is capable of. If it's possible for them to get bigger, I hope it happens, and you should too.

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