SHOW REVIEW: TURNOVER @ EL REY

This is going to be a really hard review to write seeing as how I was knocked out on the ground during the show.

It was a packed night at the El Rey for a sold out Turnover and Turnstile show. My small body slips its way between the crowd of burly men very easily—then again, everyone is big and burly to me considering that I am five-feet tall. However, it was not so easy to survive the mosh pits that started during Turnstile’s set. As an avid moshing veteran, I am usually unafraid of being punched and pushed around. This time was different; the pit was vicious and nonstop. People were somersaulting on the floor as well as off the stage and into the crowd. Turnstile flipped a switch that turned everyone ballistic. Their set was adrenaline-fueled and loud as hardcore punk should be. Turnstile’s lead singer, Brendan Yates, even joined in by diving into the crowd at one point. I absolutely had to jump into the pit during my favorite songs like “Real Thing.” Large dudes were punching and thrashing all of their limbs at full force. They were swinging with a force so strong that would have knocked me out if any part of them touched me. Which is exactly what happened. But, I can’t tell you what was happening moments before I realized I was on the ground because I don’t remember. For a split second, I forgot what realm I was in, but helpful showgoers lift me up from the ground where I had apparently fell onto a step. Usually when I fall, I am determined to rocket back into the crowd, but I instead stepped out and took a breather. The friends that I was with were convinced I had a concussion. Thankfully, I am well and alive to write this review even though I was suffering from a racked brain for the rest of the show.

My head was pulsating and dizzied which is a perfect state of mind to listen to Turnover’s dreamy songs. The stage design for their set was like something out of a picture book. Behind the band were two cartoon-ish houses and on the screen behind them played a stop motion reel of a street with similarly stylistic houses made of clay. Throughout the show, the animations changed to show rain, sun, birds, etc. Turnover was surrounded by a child-like, quirky, softness with vibrant colors. Watching them was much like savoring a nostalgic dream. Frontman, Austin Getz, wasn’t very talkative. The songs melted together and was only interrupted by brief, typical show banter about how much the band loves to play shows in LA. Even so, Getz’s voice has a tiresome quality that seems subdued yet velvety smooth. It fit perfectly with the hazy, dream pop sound that their music calls home. Turnover only played songs from their two most recent albums, Pure Devotion and Peripheral Vision, staying away from their pop punk beginnings. They also featured a brand new song called “Danzig.” It’s hard to choose a favorite moment that I had during their set. The whole crowd was singing and swaying along all throughout. For the mega fan-favorite songs like “Super Natural” and “Cutting My Fingers Off”, people rushed towards the front and bounced to the beat. I was disappointed when they ended the show without an encore. The curtains closed and flashed the El Rey logo, signaling the end of the night. Shortly after, ushers began to shoo people away from the barricades. It felt sudden and odd because Turnover abstained from the traditional encore.

Overall, Turnstile was fun and sweaty even though I was struggling to stay alive. Turnover’s performance was drastically different in energy. Nevertheless, they delivered a flawless performance. I was happy to walk out of the venue with a new Turnover hoodie and a bruised head.

— Natalie Lee, DJ