Turnstile proved why their genre-bending hardcore punk resonates across generations during an electrifying performance at Osheaga in Montreal.
Steadicams Turn the Crowd Inside Out
What set Turnstile’s Osheaga appearance apart was an immersive approach to live concert videography. Alongside overhead stage cameras, a dedicated steadicam crew navigated directly through the festival crowd, beaming real-time footage of fans onto the massive stage monitors.
While the heavy camera presence occasionally shifted focus from the band members themselves, it vividly captured the sheer chaos and joy unfolding on the floor. Cans flew through the air, couples embraced, and the mosh pit churned continuously as the band tore through their catalog.
A Demographic Mosaic on the Big Screen
Crucially, the live camera feeds highlighted the striking demographic variety of a modern Turnstile crowd. Panning across the venue, the screens showed everyone from young kids experiencing their first festival to veteran gig-goers in their 50s and 60s, erasing traditional genre barriers.
The performance underscored the band’s steady ascent over the past decade. Since releasing their breakthrough album GLOW ON in 2021 and following up with subsequent acclaim for NEVER ENOUGH, Turnstile has steadily expanded the boundaries of heavy music, drawing in fans from all walks of life.
A Thirteen-Year Return to Montreal
Frontman Brendan Yates acknowledged the band’s long history with the city mid-set. Reflecting on the timeline with drummer Daniel Fang, Yates told the crowd that Turnstile’s very first Montreal show took place 13 years prior at the Death Church, a well-known former DIY venue.
“It’s so good to be back,” Yates told the capacity crowd after stepping up to the microphone.
Maturity in Sound and Scale
At Osheaga, Turnstile paired their aggressive sound with an ambitious visual production that put the audience right up on the big screens.
The group’s hour-long set leaned heavily on material from their latest three releases—NEVER ENOUGH, GLOW ON, and 2018’s Time & Space. By blending tracks from across their evolving discography, the band offered a comprehensive look at how their sound has matured from raw punk roots into expansive, melodic alternative territory.
Redefining the Hardcore Space
Hardcore punk has historically been viewed as an insular genre with a specific, often intimidating crowd. Turnstile’s ongoing mission, however, is to make the genre accessible to anyone willing to step into the pit.
The turnout and communal atmosphere at Osheaga suggest that mission is succeeding. By welcoming fans of all ages and backgrounds into a shared space of heavy riffs and vibrant visual storytelling, Turnstile continues to redefine what a modern rock band can achieve on a major festival stage.