TL;DR
Get audio and creator gear delivered free — and shop member deals
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Access to Prime Big Deal Days deals on October 6–7
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
Turnstile made its Saturday Night Live debut, performing “BIRDS” and a medley of “I CARE” and “DULL.” The appearance was described by Consequence as the show’s first performance by a hardcore band since FEAR’s 1981 set, which was followed by reported damage to NBC’s studio.
Turnstile made its Saturday Night Live debut this weekend, performing “BIRDS” and a medley of “I CARE” and “DULL.” Consequence described the appearance as the first time a hardcore band had played the show in 45 years, since FEAR’s 1981 performance, which became associated with damage to the NBC studio.
The band opened with “BIRDS,” introduced by a drum solo from Daniel Fang. Turnstile returned later in the episode for a performance combining “I CARE” and “DULL.” Consequence described the second set as taking place in front of a wall of phones and featuring an elaborate light display.
Turnstile also appeared in a promotional segment ahead of the episode. The band joked that it would avoid damaging the studio, a reference to hardcore’s history on the program. According to Consequence, cast member Ben Marshall said 45 years had passed since a hardcore band had performed on SNL. The outlet ties that interval to FEAR’s 1981 set.
The episode included another high-profile moment: Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance to present host Dakota Johnson with a birthday cake, Consequence reported. That placed Swift and Turnstile in the same episode; the report does not describe any interaction between them.
Hardcore Returns to SNL
Turnstile’s booking puts a band rooted in hardcore punk on one of American television’s best-known live entertainment programs, bringing the genre to an audience beyond the club and festival circuits. The 45-year gap cited by Consequence also gives the performance a specific history: FEAR’s chaotic 1981 appearance had become a lasting point of reference for the show’s relationship with loud, confrontational punk.
The appearance does not, on its own, establish a change in SNL’s booking policy. It does mark a rare high-profile broadcast performance for a hardcore act and revisits a story about how a single live set can shape a program’s reputation for decades. Turnstile’s joke about not trashing the studio acknowledged that legacy while contrasting its own appearance with the stories surrounding FEAR.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
FEAR’s 1981 Studio Set
FEAR performed on SNL in 1981 after the band was brought to the program by cast member John Belushi, a fan, according to the source report. The set included a crowd of slam dancers. Consequence identifies Ian MacKaye and Harley Flanagan among those present, alongside Belushi, and reports that the four-song performance caused $20,000 in damage to NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center.
The show’s history with punk includes incidents beyond FEAR. Consequence recounts that the Replacements were banned after their 1986 appearance, citing the band’s intoxicated performance and Paul Westerberg’s onstage profanity. It also notes Elvis Costello’s 1977 appearance: after beginning “Less than Zero,” he stopped and switched to “Radio, Radio,” against the wishes of his label and SNL creator Lorne Michaels. Those episodes provide context for Turnstile’s studio-damage joke, but they are separate events from the band’s debut.
What the Appearance Establishes
The 45-year figure is presented in the source report and attributed to the SNL promotional segment; the material provided does not independently document every SNL musical booking during that period. It is also unclear whether the show intends to book more hardcore acts or whether Turnstile’s appearance signals any broader programming shift.
Consequence says that, as far as it could tell, Turnstile kept its promise not to damage the studio. The report does not provide an official NBC assessment of the studio after the performance. It also offers no details of any direct meeting or exchange between Turnstile and Swift beyond their appearing in the same episode.
Turnstile’s October Tour Dates
Turnstile’s next listed concert after the SNL appearance is October 5 in Oklahoma City, at the Zoo Amphitheatre with Die Spitz, according to the tour schedule published by Consequence. The listed dates continue through shows in Lawrence, St. Louis and Austin, followed by performances in Arizona, California and Nevada.
The schedule also lists Turnstile for Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in Los Angeles on November 14 and 15. The SNL report does not announce further television appearances or describe any new recording plans, so the band’s upcoming live dates are the next confirmed public milestone in the supplied material.
Key Questions
What songs did Turnstile perform on SNL?
Turnstile performed “BIRDS”, then returned for a medley of “I CARE” and “DULL.”
Why is the performance described as a 45-year return?
Consequence says the last hardcore-band performance on SNL was FEAR’s 1981 set, making Turnstile’s appearance a return after 45 years by that account.
What happened during FEAR’s 1981 SNL performance?
FEAR played a four-song set with a crowd of slam dancers. Consequence reports that the performance caused $20,000 in damage to NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center.
Did Taylor Swift perform with Turnstile?
No joint performance is reported. Swift made a surprise appearance to present host Dakota Johnson with a birthday cake, so she and Turnstile appeared in the same episode.
When is Turnstile’s next listed concert?
The tour schedule in Consequence lists a show at the Zoo Amphitheatre in Oklahoma City on October 5, with Die Spitz.
Source: rss
Halloween Picks
halloween
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
