'Pepper-spraying a 15 year old is cowardly': Turnstile on hostile cops, playing through pain and taking hardcore punk global

The night of September 6th at Brown's Island in Richmond, Virginia, will be etched in the memories of those who witnessed it for a long time. Turnstile, the Baltimore band that rose from the hardcore punk underground to become a global phenomenon, took the stage to perform in front of an audience of over 6,000 people. Their music was a fusion of explosive catharsis and infectious energy that brought the crowd to their feet.

The show began with the shimmering intro from Never Enough, followed by TLC, a frantic fist-pumper that set off a frenzy of flailing limbs as the crowd erupted into a mass of sweaty euphoria. Every new riff, every change in tempo, brought another wave of energy, with the band members jumping, spinning, stomping and calling for the crowd to give them more.

This was not just any show; it was an immersive experience that drew the audience into its orbit. The barrier separating the stage from the crowd seemed a distant memory as strangers screamed lyrics into each other's faces and people crashed into one another in their excitement. The magic of Turnstile's live shows lies in the fact that they can transform even the largest crowds into a sense of community.

But on this particular night, something went terribly wrong. As the band played their hit single Birds, a teenage boy was sprayed with pepper spray by a sheriff's deputy who had appeared out of nowhere. The incident sparked outrage and left many wondering how such a display of force could be justified in a place where music and joy were meant to reign supreme.

Turnstile members have long spoken about the importance of creating a sense of community at their live shows, one that transcends borders and backgrounds. And yet, on this night, the opposite happened – a stark reminder of how even the most well-intentioned gatherings can be turned into nightmares by the actions of those in power.

Yates still sounds shaken when reflecting on what happened: "A cowardly action from an officer coming in and spraying a 15-year-old kid and then walking away. I don't think that's an isolated event." For Yates, this incident has only reinforced his commitment to Turnstile's mission – one of spreading love and acceptance through music.

The band's latest album, Never Enough, is more than just a collection of songs; it's a testament to their unwavering dedication to creating a sense of community. From the dance-infused Baltimore club vibes to the soaring anthems that showcase Hayley Williams' vocals, every track on this record has been crafted with one goal in mind – to unite people and bring them together.

Turnstile's live shows are no longer just about music; they're about forging connections, sparking conversations and creating a sense of belonging. When asked about their secret to making these experiences so special, the band members speak in almost mystical terms. For them, it's all about chemistry, togetherness, and making the energy on stage touch people who are on the other side.

Turnstile tour the UK and Ireland from November 1st to 5th; they'll start their journey in Dublin, with Never Enough out now.
 
🤯😱🚨 just heard about this crazy show where a teenager got sprayed with pepper spray by a sheriff's deputy 🤕🚫😡 it's like, what even is that?!? 😒 turnstile's music is all about spreading love and acceptance 🌎💖 but when the people in power get involved, it's like they're trying to ruin the vibe 🤯

i know turnstile is all about creating a sense of community at their shows 🌟👫 but this incident was like a total bummer 😔 yates said it's not an isolated event 🤦‍♂️ and that it's exactly why they need to keep spreading their message of love and acceptance 💖🎶

i'm so hyped for turnstile's tour in the uk and ireland though 🚀🎉 never enough is such a fire album 🔥🎶 can't wait to see them live again 👏
 
what happened at that show was literally heartbreaking 🤕... like, you're talking about a crowd of thousands just vibin' and having a good time, and then this cop comes outta nowhere and basically assaults some kid for no reason... it's so messed up 😩. i feel bad for the band too, 'cause they're all about spreading love and acceptance through their music, but in situations like that, it feels like the exact opposite is true 🤷‍♂️. still, you gotta give turnstile credit for keeping on doing what they do best - making amazing music and creating this sense of community with their fans 🎸💖
 
"Behind every great fortune is a great tragedy." 🤕 The incident at Turnstile's show was a dark reminder that even the most well-intentioned events can turn into nightmares due to overzealous law enforcement. It's heartbreaking to think of a teenager being sprayed with pepper spray in the middle of a concert, just for being caught up in the moment. 😱
 
omg what r turnstile doin right?? they went from bein this tiny hardcore band to takin over stages all over the world & still keep it real about spreadin love & acceptance thru music its not just a show its an experience thats why ppl go crazy when they play live lol & yikes 2 that pepper spray incident in richmond thats just wild & disturbing esp when its a kid & ppl r already shakin up 4 that 15 yr old boy gotta feel so shook up
 
I don't usually comment but... I'm still trying to process what happened at Turnstile's show in Richmond, VA 🤯 The idea that a sheriff's deputy would spray pepper spray on a teenager in the middle of a music festival is just heartbreaking 😔 It's like, you're there for the music and good vibes, not for some dude with a badge to ruin it. And yeah, I get what Turnstile's all about spreading love and acceptance, but that doesn't excuse anyone from taking out their frustrations on innocent people 🙅‍♂️ The fact that this incident happened at all is just so... frustrating 😤
 
I'm still trying to process what happened at Turnstile's show in Richmond, VA 🤯. I mean, you have these incredible musicians doing their thing on stage and creating this sense of community among the crowd, and then suddenly someone from the "other side" comes in and ruins it for everyone 💔. Pepper spray? Really? It just feels like so much overkill, you know? I get that there might be some concerns about public safety, but can't they find a way to address those issues without taking out an innocent kid in the process?

And what's even more frustrating is that this is exactly what Turnstile's music and message are all about – bringing people together, creating a sense of belonging, and spreading love and acceptance 🎉. It's like, you take all these positive vibes and then someone comes along and just tanks it 💥.

I do have to give credit where credit is due though, Hayley Williams' vocals on their new album Never Enough are absolute perfection 🔥. And the band's commitment to creating a sense of community is really admirable. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing them live in Dublin next month 🎟️.
 
OMG this turnstile show was literally insane 🤯! But like what happened with that poor kid getting sprayed with pepper spray is just wild 😱. It's so sad that the magic of music can be ruined by someone's actions. I feel bad for the kid, he must've been totally freaked out 😬. And can we talk about how turnstile always knows how to bring a crowd together? 🤝 They're like the ultimate community builders, you know? It's not just about the music, it's about creating this vibe where everyone feels welcome and accepted 💕. Anyway, I'm def checking out their album "Never Enough" now 🎵
 
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