 Photo Credit: Jimmy Fontaine
Baltimore-based band Turnstile continues to spread their brand of hardcore to audiences far-and-wide via their Turnstile Love Connection Tour. The last couple of years have been anything but slow for Turnstile. Releasing their critically-acclaimed third album Glow On in 2021, the band’s wide array of influences and sonic pursuit of something uniquely theirs within the scope of hardcore music has led to a palpable difference in both audience size and passion. While Glow On staples such as “Mystery”, “Blackout”, and “Holiday” derive their energy and tenacity from legendary hardcore acts such as Bad Brains and Leeway, the band takes notable creative liberties with a time-tested sound. It is songs like “Alien Love Call” and “New Heart Design” that prove Turnstile values the artistic output of prolific artists such as Prince and Stevie Nicks just as much as Black Flag. Nonetheless, Turnstile’s unique take on hardcore music resonates with listeners of all kinds: resulting in their Turnstile Love Connection Tour becoming one of the most talked about tours of 2022. Showcasing their diverse love of music, fellow Baltimore acts JPEGMafia and Snail Mail have accompanied the band for the majority of the tour. Turnstile’s continued advocacy for music of all kinds within the boundaries of hardcore is both refreshing and welcoming; a feeling echoed by attendees of the shows. From the beginning of the Turnstile Love Connection Tour, the band has regularly published show-recaps for each stop on the tour via their YouTube channel. Cleverly titled the “Turnstile Love Channel”, the band not only documents elements of the band’s performances at every stop, but also interviews fans about their own backstories and why they connect to the band’s music. Across every episode of the series, their audience’s dedication to the band is clear. During the band’s Los Angeles date, various fans took the opportunity to showcase their Turnstile tattoos, homemade merchandise, and devotion to their music. While in Kansas City, an overwhelming number of people shared they had met their significant others as a result of attending Turnstile shows. No matter what episode of the “Turnstile Love Channel” series it is, the band’s impact on their fans is undeniable. As Turnstile continues to grow in popularity, their commitment to creating an authentic connection and sense of trust between them and their fans is admirable. Instead of crafting an elaborate and formulaic documentary about their tour, Turnstile opted to utilize a camcorder and their fans to present experiences that are real and engaging. While Turnstile’s music continues to redefine what it means to be a hardcore band, the ethos at the center of their work is as authentic and classic as it gets.
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