Turnstile

I want to touch

A level up

Want more connection

And that’s enough

The energy unleashed by certain live performances can forge such a powerful sense of cohesion in the crowd that it almost turns it into a single entity, between pits, singalongs and the odd (deafening) blow to the head: this is what could be witnessed at Circolo Magnolia's summer arena during the Turnstile concert. The Baltimore outfit had already taken the stage at the Ama Music Festival in Romano d'Ezzelino last summer for their first-ever Italian appearance, despite having been active since way back in 2010: credit goes to the extraordinary shift in gear shown in their most recent output, which blends alt-rock, post-hardcore, dream-pop and flashes of alt-metal. The lion's share of the setlist is taken up by "GLOW ON", their latest full-length and the "launchpad" that earned the band three Grammy nominations in 2023, while the earlier "Non Stop Feeling" and "Time & Space" play a more marginal role.

Warming up the crowd are DITZ, an up-and-coming Brighton band oscillating between noise-rock and synthetic punk. Their debut "The Great Regression" (2022) drew comparisons from critics to Idles (whom they've supported on several occasions during their current tour) and Daughters, and the direction they've since taken seems to want to add Gilla Band, Model/Actriz and Death Grips to an already rich roster of influences on display.

Charismatic singer Cal Francis dives straight into the crowd on the frantic notes of "Seeking Arrangement": the closeness between the five-piece and the crowd is a key element of the show, and even though part of the audience initially seems reluctant, Francis doesn't give up, repeatedly egging on small pits and circle pits. Among the highlights are "Ded Würst", "Summer Of The Shark" and closer "No Thanks, I'm Full", where the rhythm section led by drummer Sam Evans and bassist Caleb Remnant turns into an infernal war machine.

The set opens with the fierce "T.L.C. (TURNSTILE LOVE CONNECTION)", followed by the irresistible groove of "ENDLESS"; the Americans' versatility comes through vividly in the other cuts from their third album too, so that the bittersweet indie-rock of "UNDERWATER BOI" can explode into the explosive stop-and-go of "DON'T PLAY", or ferry us into the dreamy Nineties of "FLY AGAIN". It's a gripping show, with an enthusiastic crowd matching the efforts of a band that doesn't spare a single drop of sweat on stage: the summer setting of the Magnolia thus becomes the backdrop for the crowd's voices singing as one, accompanying the quartet's anthems (a quintet live, thanks to the valuable contribution of guitarist Meg Mills). Among the highlights, mention must also go to the long drum solo, with Daniel Fang alone on stage, and the lethal "BLACKOUT".

The grand finale is entrusted to a powerful trio of songs: introduced by the power ballad "ALIEN LOVE CALL", "MYSTERY" and "HOLIDAY" grind out riffs, energy and pulsing bass, while a sea of people sways in a collective headbang.

The band bids farewell with enthusiasm, and perhaps a touch of emotion too, moved by the warmth shown by the Milan crowd (and beyond, given how many different accents could be heard, this being their only Italian date); no encore, but there doesn't seem to be any need for one: the stream of people leaving Idroscalo park shortly before eleven at night looks more than satisfied.

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