I think the happiest place on earth could well be a Turnstile show. Now, I’ve waited a ridiculous amount of time to see them live, and I’m just glad the venue wasn’t the Victoria Warehouse. If you ever make a list of shit venues- that one should be top. Anyway, the venue was alright last night. Stood at the back on a platform with a pretty much perfect view. The sound was solid, but the band were truly something else. Part of me wanted to cry because I was just so happy. But all I could do was stand and stare and just be in awe of one of the best bands around. They could easily sell out arenas over here, and maybe that’s next. But for now, these decent sized venues are it.

Turnstile start the show with Never Enough, and for the next hour and a half- the crowd are theirs. They are ours. Everything is alright in the world. The set is mainly the new record, but they through some gorgeous oldies in there, and it’s pretty much a perfect setlist. In an ideal world, Generator would be in there but who cares?! When you’ve waited what seems like an eternity to see a band you adore live, you don’t care what you see so long as you’re there. Every song played is screamed back from the crowd, and there’s not a still body in the crowd (apart from the person stood next to me for a bit who was with her partner- he was having a great time, but she was having none of it!) As far as crowds go, this one felt utterly safe and just full of love. You could really feel how much everyone loves the band, and every song just meant the world. You’ve got a band right up there in front of you, playing with everything they have and to see everyone around you give that same energy back was just divine.

Much like Amyl and The Sniffers set up- the projector on the screen shows the crowd on stage, and also the band. To see the amount of love and joy on everyone’s faces was just beautiful. I know some have said it was a shit venue, but maybe we got lucky from where we were stood. I think Turnstile may just be up there as one of the best bands I’ve ever seen live, and last night’s show is definitely in my top 3 favourite gigs of the year. It was just such a beautiful atmosphere, and it felt really safe. That’s all you can ask for (although, it should just be a given!)

The energy the band have is beautiful. Brendan leaps around the stage doing leaps and star jumps, and you just feel how much he loves being on stage. Meg is one of the slickest guitarists around, along with Pat. Franz is one hell of a bassist and Daniel is one of the best drummers I’ve ever seen. Turnstile are made up of the best of the best, and the way they play together on stage is honestly such a joy to watch. The just exude pure love for what they do, and for each other. I genuinely miss them right now and wish I was at a Turnstile show. I think I’m going to carry that feeling around for a long time, and I just know I’m going to get that same feeling next year when I finally (finally!!!) get to see Deftones. I’ve waited over 20 years for that; it’s going to be something else- I don’t think I’ve mentally prepared myself for it. But for now, I’m going to stay in the moment of being at a Turnstile show.

The only bad thing about last night was the cost of merch. A hoodie does not need to ever EVER be £100- especially when they are selling them on their merch online shop for £50. It doesn’t need to be that much at all. I got a bootleg one outside of the show for £30. Come on now, £100 for a hoodie is insane, there’s just no need for it.

Back to the show.

If you ever want to experience sheer euphoria and a sense of freedom, go to a Turnstile show. The crowd were just heavenly, and you could see how much it meant to everyone. Seein’ Stars is a billion times better live, and I feel when I listen to it on record now, I’ll just have to sulk because it isn’t live. Blackout and Mystery were a joy to witness. Closing the show with Birds was WILD. The amount of times I probably annoy my cat but picking her up and singing this to her is a lot! Turnstile are her favourite band. I’m raising her well.

Off the new record, Light Design was the one for me. There’s something about this song that just hits me and to see it live meant the world. Hearing old ones like Pushing Me Away was insane too, and it was just a dream to witness. I genuinely don’t think I can fully put into words how special a Turnstile show is. Like, I can try write about it but it’s one of those things where you HAVE to see for yourself. You can watch all the footage online or on YouTube but being there, being right there is something else.

Holiday saw a group of lads in front of us go absolutely apeshit, and it was wonderful. Just to see a band bring so many people together, and to see how happy everyone was….you can’t define that, ever. All you can do is soak it all up and truly be grateful for the band that mean the world, and so much more to you.