“Finally I can see it, these birds not meant to fly alone.” These lyrics from Turnstile’s new song “Birds” would define their set at Wyman Dell Park.
Last month, Turnstile made their triumphant return to their hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. The band organized a free benefit concert with the help of Dana Murphy of Unregistered Nurse Booking Company. The benefit show was to raise funds for HCH (Healthcare for the Homeless), an organization that provides comprehensive healthcare for people experiencing homelessness, with services like dental, medical care, psychiatric help, and addiction services.
The event was funded entirely by the band, and QR codes were posted everywhere for people to donate to HCH. With the help of the community—approximately 10,000 people attending in this 16-acre public space—they raised over $47K for this amazing cause that was near and dear to the band.
“We’re so happy to be back home in Baltimore… Thank you so much, we love you.” —Brendan Yates (vocalist of Turnstile)
This concert would be Turnstile’s first time performing new songs from their new album Never Enough, which was released today. It was a beautiful day to travel. Many were coming from nearby states and some from across the country to bear witness to what felt like a historic event—a concert that many were overheard saying, “this feels like our Woodstock.”
The Unregistered Nurse Booking team arrived early morning to set up the stage in the park and did an amazing job getting everything ready. There were no barricades around the stage then, as people walked their dogs, laid on blankets, and some even came up to the band members to say hi.
As the day went on, the crowd got increasingly bigger and you could see many familiar faces of the Baltimore scene, such as Justice Tripp of Angel Du$t and TUI, Paris Roberts of No Idols, artist Evan Steck, Kiyoshi Lorenzana of Balisong, and brothers Ayman and Osama Abdeldayem of Carpet Company, to name a few.
It was great to see such a mix of people in attendance—from skaters that were doing tricks just outside the park to passersby who just wanted to see what was going on. Grown folk, children, and even babies with headphones on were eagerly waiting to see what would unfold.
As the intro to the titular song “Never Enough” played on the speakers, everyone’s eyes were directed at the stage, awaiting what was to be the first time the band would play this song live.
The cheers were deafening as the band walked onto the stage, and the energy of excitement rippled throughout the park to celebrate the evolution and homecoming of Turnstile. The pit opened up as soon as Brendan sang the first note.
Fans ran across the stage to dive into the arms of friends and strangers alike, knowing that they got them. People were doing backflips, spin moves in the air, and some were even swimming on top of the crowd to get to the stage. People could be seen wearing old merch, new merch, luchador masks—and catching some serious air.
Brendan lifts the mic stand to hear the city of Baltimore sing with him and is met by what could only be described as love. A helicopter is seen above the park, watching the massive crowd that gathered on this day and probably getting the best aerial shot of the event.
Franz and Brendan were pulling fans up on stage, and in turn fans responded with two-stepping, cartwheels, and even carrying each other on their shoulders before stage diving together into the crowd. Hardcore is such a community-driven experience that even through this dance of chaos you could see children crowd surfing, families embracing on stage before making that jump, and the joy on everyone’s faces.
As the sonics cut through the day and night started to fall, one thing was evident: the city of Baltimore loves Turnstile.
The set list included “Endless,” “TLC,” “Blackout,” “Mystery,” “Real Thing,” “Drop,” and many more, before finishing with new songs “Seein’ Stars” and “Birds.” Just like in the music video for “Birds,” everyone was in a frenzy—and even Brendan was crowdsurfing while singing.
When the lights came on in the park, fans were seen cleaning up trash, making donations through QR codes, and trying to comprehend what an incredible time they had. A couple of first-time listeners were caught on video saying, “This was a good motherfucking show, I ain’t gonna hold you. First time, ya hear me? Ain’t even heard them—love… big up Baltimore.”
Turnstile—consisting of Brendan Yates (vocalist), Franz Lyons (bass guitarist), Daniel Fang (drummer), Pat McCrory (guitarist), and Meg Mills (guitarist)—will release Never Enough today. The new album looks like a follow-up to 2021’s Glow On, based on the cover alone.
The band’s sound keeps evolving, but at their core, they are still Turnstile.
Since this show in Baltimore, Turnstile has debuted the songs “I Care / Dull” on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on June 3rd. They also have a visual album film that accompanies the record—Never Enough—premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival and in select theaters beginning on June 5th. The film was directed by band members Brendan Yates and Pat McCrory.
It’s exciting to see all the things that Turnstile has accomplished and the community that’s around them. It truly feels like a Turnstile summer.
Words and photos by Cristian Espinoza
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