More about: Turnstile

Turnstile are magnetic and they know it — and that makes their gigs the kind you will want to see over and over again. To some of us, that is also what cements them as one of the key perpetuators of the current hardcore scene.

Much like what feels like everyone else in the packed-out O2 Forum in Kentish Town tonight, Turnstile came more powerfully into our consciousness with last year's creative and boundary pushing album Glow On. The band enjoyed a satisfactory following beforehand, but were shot to fame of astronomical proportions thanks to their latest and perhaps most innovative and multi-dimensional album.

Indeed, the atmosphere buildup during Glow On cuts 'BLACKOUT' and 'DON’T PLAY' is noticeably more frenetic than with earlier tracks like 'Drop' or 'Pushing Me Away' tonight. That doesn’t stop stage divers from doing their thing at all points of the evening, adding to the collective sense of euphoria in Kentish Town Forum tonight. Songs like 'HOLIDAY' and the famously frantic 'T.L.C (Turnstile Love Connection)' constitute some of the evening’s most tumultuous moments.

Brendan Yates’ vocals are perhaps the most remarkable thing about the show: not precisely for their technicality but because of their intensity. How a person that is constantly jumping and twisting and dancing in the way he does can maintain such immaculate control over his voice is beyond us. All things considered, his showmanship is something worthy of admiration.

Not many bands nowadays manage to create the frenzied state Turnstile achieve tonight — let alone to maintain it at the same level throughout the entire gig. The unique groove, intense riffs and host of rhythms this band has come up with allow for all kinds of reactions and dancing in all directions: even those who wanted to avoid it could not help but surrender to Turnstile’s charms.

Issue Two of the Gigwise Print magazine is on sale now! Buy it here.

More about: Turnstile