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Who are Turnstile’s fans?

We head down to Turnstile’s London Roundhouse gig to find out who their fans are and why they love the Baltimore hardcore heroes so much…

Who are Turnstile’s fans?
Words and photos:
Aiyush Pachnanda

This week, Turnstile hit the UK for a sold-out run in some of the country's most iconic venues – from Nottingham's Rock City to London's Roundhouse. Fresh off the back of their stunning GLOW ON LP, the hardcore heroes' fanbase is bigger than ever – and with a fresh take on the genre, the Maryland crew are speaking to more than your usual punk fan.

So who are Turnstile's fans? We headed to their Roundhouse gig to find out.

Hena, 28

How long have you been a Turnstile fan?
"I've been a fan for around five years, and managed to see them four times either side of the lockdown."

What draws you to Turnstile's music?
"I grew up listening to hardcore punk all my life. I play in a hardcore punk band and for me Turnstile are the best hardcore punk band in the world right now, and have been for a few years. I saw them for the first time at 2000trees in 2019 and just kept up with them and they kept getting better. They are pushing the boundaries of what hardcore punk can do."

What other music do you like?
"As a musician I tend to listen to a lot and gain info from different places, but hardcore is my shit. In fact they have turned me onto a few bands like Angel Du$t."

Describe your outfit.
"I've had a big old mohawk for 11 years now, denim jacket, all the typical patches, and the standard skinny jeans and battered Docs."

Sher Jan, 24

How long you been a Turnstile fan?
"A long time now, around seven years. I managed to see them at House Of Vans for free a few years back, and since then I've been a fan. The energy of Turnstile is second-to-none."

What draws you to Turnstile's music?
"It's been a tough few years. The pandemic has been stressful; everyone really needs live music to have and there's no better way to experience that than this show."

What other music do you like?
"I love hardcore punk, so a lot of hardcore punk, I like melodic hardcore too. But mostly I just listen to hardcore bands, the high BPM is just good vibes. And you don't have to be a massive hardcore fan to listen to Turnstile – their range is amazing."

Describe your outfit.
"I think you can call this the generic fit that you see across all hardcore shows, but most importantly Dr. Martens so you won't slip."

Amy Mustapha, 26

How long have you been a Turnstile fan?
"I've been listening to them for a while. A drummer I follow on YouTube was drumming to one of their songs, I then checked out the band and was like, 'This is amazing!'"

What draws you to Turnstile's music?
"I first heard Alien Love Call and it was like nothing I have heard before. I love the frontman's voice and I just felt drawn to it."

How does it feel to be at a gig again?
"This is only my second show back; it just feels amazing to be here!"

Maggie Soler, 23

How long have you been a Turnstile fan?
"A week ago my flatmate showed me the band – I listened to around one and a half songs, and now I am here! I'm literally discovering the sound right now!"

What draws you to Turnstile's music?
"I like punk music, I like psychedelic rock, I like techno… I just like anything that can rock my head to."

How does it feel to be at a gig again?
"It's been a year or so since I've seen a live show. It's basically free exercise and free music… well, not free, but free exercise for sure!"

Medina Ali, 24

What draws you to Turnstile's music?
"I have always been a fan of the alternative, hardcore, metal and pop-punk scene – and Turnstile just fucking rock! They have such crazy shows, the energy is just insane. They give their all into every performance."

How long you been a Turnstile fan?
"I don't even remember the first time I listened to them, I just know it's been a long time."

How does it feel to be at a gig again?
"It just feels so nice, I haven't done this in so long. Being at a show and seeing friends feels normal."

Will Sowerby, 29

How long have you been a Turnstile fan?
"Around three years; it's pretty new to me."

What draws you to Turnstile's music?
"I saw their Time & Space album recommended to me on Spotify, who are normally pretty shit. But it was a stand-out and I have been a fan ever since."

What other music do you like?
"I listen to a lot of American punk, I'm also a fan of the much older punk bands from the ’70s."

Hows it feel to be at a gig again?
"It's the first event I've been to other than my friend's bands – it's my first proper show! I've never been to the Roundhouse before, so I'm looking forward to seeing people kick each other in the face. It's such a big venue, it's gonna be great."

Ben, 24 and Hannah, 21

How long you been a Turnstile fan?
Ben: "Around six years."
Hannah:
"Four years for me."

What draws you to Turnstile's music?
Hannah:
"I was listening to other artists like them on Spotify then gave them a listen and fell in love."
Ben:
"I am into my scene bands like A Day To Remember, but I finally gave Turnstile a listen and it was one of the first bands to make me say, 'This is hardcore!'"

What other music do you like?
Hannah:
"Anything from ’80s goth bands to midwest emo."
Ben:
"Me too. Mostly a lot of emo bands."

Hows it feel to be at a gig again?
Hannah:
"My last live show was in 2019, so this is my first live event back. I'm a bit nervous."
Ben:
"It's my first proper show. I am so excited, I can't wait!

Charlotte Hynes, 24

What draws you to Turnstile's music?
"I'm listening to a lot of punk at the moment; I heard Turnstile's music and loved it."

How long you been a Turnstile fan?
"I'm still quite a new fan, from around the start of 2021. Listening to their old stuff really made me enjoy them more. I like other heavy bands too."

How does it feel to be at a gig again?
"I've wanted to go to a big live show for ages, ever since lockdown eased. I've been to a few gigs around Bristol. I'm trying to get back into becoming a seasoned gig-goer, but this is my first big one."

Marcus, 23

What draws you to Turnstile's music?
"My friend Charlie, who's a bit of a hardcore greebo, brought me on to Turnstile's most recent album. It reminded me of Pharrell's very old music when he was in N.E.R.D, that alternative approach to something we all know."

What other music do you like?
"Mostly rap, to be honest. Something underground is always great, but I need some mainstream acts too."

How does it feel to be at a gig again?
"So this is only my third event since COVID, I am just so excited as this is my first hardcore show."

Jasmyne and Metmany

How long have you been Turnstile fans?
Jasmyne:
"I've been listening to them for a few months now. I was introduced by a friend in Australia and have been a fan ever since."
Metmany:
"A month, if that! And even then just one song so far."

What draws you to Turnstile's music?
Jasmyne:
"I've been religiously listening to them for a while. When I moved back to London from Australia I could not miss it and had to see them live – I am kinda obsessed. I needed someone to go with so I brought a friend!"

What other music do you like?
Jasmyne:
"I'm really into bands like Architects; anything heavy loud and fast. Just pure hardcore vibes – even artists like $uicideboy$ and Denzel Curry!"
Metmany:
"I am the complete opposite. I'm really into soul, old-school R&B – artists like Daniel Caesar."

How does it feel to be at a gig again?
Jasmyne
: "It's nice to be able to get out and about it again, it's something I crave. I've been going to shows since I was 16, so it feels like I am reliving it, especially coming from Australia where everything is still locked down."
Metmany:
"It doesn't feel like these gigs are happening that often, so I feel very lucky to be here."

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