We might be one week into the year, but there’s every chance we’ve already seen the set of the year, in the form of Turnstile at their Hordern Pavilion headline show. Yes, it’s a big call considering there’s a plethora of festivals ahead of us, a multitude of announced and unannounced tours coming our way, let alone the fact there’s another 51 weeks left in the year. But I’m telling you now, I will be pleasantly surprised if Turnstile’s 80-minute set is topped.
Acting as main support was English emo legends Basement. Playing a tidy 45 minute set, the band were super appreciative for having been brought along by Turnstile to the other side of the world. Noting it was their sixth time to play in Australia, Basement did their best to get the eager all ages crowd going from their first song to last. Bookending their set with “Are You the One” and “Covet”, Basement did enough in their set to show why they were one of the more prominent emo-alternative bands of the past two decades.
It’d been a while since I’d been to the Hordern, but with the Ashes across the road at the SCG and another show filling out Liberty Hall at the same time, the Moore Park Entertainment Quarter was pumping. And with this, came one of the most eager and on-time crowds I’ve seen in a long time. With the majority of the dance floor and seating filled well before Turnstile commenced, those in attendance were ready and willing to get down, sweaty and completely absorb what Turnstile was about to deliver.
Entering the stage a little after 10:00pm, for those of us with work the next day, it wasn’t an ideal start time, but what they proceeded to deliver in the coming 20 songs more than made up for it. Commencing with “Never Enough”, the titular track from their 2025 album, it was the perfect slow burner to ease the crowd in, while highlighting the exact vibe to be expected for the remainder of the show. Following it up with “TLC (Turnstile Love Connection)” and “Endless” opened the flood gates as the first real upbeat, hardcore tracks of the set. At this point, the vibes were high and the precedent was set for what was going to follow.
With “I Care” finding a spot in the set, Sydney legends SPEED made an appearance from the crowd, perhaps alluding to their involvement in the closing stages of the show (it definitely did). Following “I Care” with “Don’t Play” was a pleasant surprise as the first quarter of the set tied up. With the majority of the set floating between their two most recent albums in Never Enough and Glow On, the show felt like the perfect mix of tracks to entice new fans to their show, while there was enough of their older tracks (“Real Thing”, “Drop”, and “Come Back for More/ Fazed Out”) to keep their longest of fans more than happy.
With the middle stages of the night progressing with as much vigour and sweat as you’d hope, there was a refreshing vibe that filled the venue with every song. Front man Brendan Yates took the time to thank the crowd while explaining the gratitude and processes the band has gone through to reach their fans across the globe. Developing a reliable and appreciative fan base is no mean feat, however everything on display by Turnstile (from their musicianship, to their energy, goodwill and enthusiasm for their live show) showed just how much these shows and their fans mean to the band.
As an all-ages show, it was refreshing to see the spread of demographics in the venue. From parents attending with their children, to teens attending the show after receiving tickets at Christmas time, to retired hardcore fans choosing to observe from the bleachers (guilty), the vibes and respect for each other throughout the entire show was, for the lack of a better term, wholesome. I’d like to give props to the middle-aged dad who returned to the back seating with his teen daughter and delivered the quote of the year: “that’s lunatic behaviour down in the mosh. I like it, but that’s enough for me.”
The closing quarter of the night elevated once more, with “Seein’ Stars”, “Holiday” and “Look Out For Me” closing out the main set, before the encore really brought it all together in one fell swoop. Returning to the stage after a brief interlude, “Mystery” got a run, while “Blackout” was probably the best song of the night to this point. And “Blackout” would have stayed the best song, if it wasn’t for closer “Birds”.
There’d been videos floating around online for the better part of 2025 regarding “Birds” and the stage-diving/rushing the band encouraged throughout its two-minute run. While the barrier reduced the effectiveness of this at the Hordern, the mass of family and friends who made their way on to the stage throughout “Birds” was honestly the best piece of a live show I’ve seen in a long time. With SPEED returning to share vocals, the crowd was pumped, chaotic and rapturous, all the while Turnstile closed out what in all likelihood will be the best show of the year.
I am by no means a die-hard hardcore or heavy rock guy. Maybe once upon a time I was, but I know a great show when I see one, and this set by Turnstile definitely was. After a string of festival sets and headline shows as part of the tour, I’m glad Turnstile made their way to Sydney and delivered this show. I can vouch for the remainder of the crowd too. It may be early to call, but I’m confident in saying 2026 shows may have peaked. And to be honest, I’d be fine with that.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Turnstile heads to Brisbane this Friday, and then Sunday in Perth – head HERE for ticketing information
Photos: Pete Dovgan – you can see more shots from the night HERE
