Turnstile’s SNL debut with ‘Birds’ and ‘I Care/Dull’ medley
The energy of hardcore poptimism has found its way onto the television screen, and it’s a perfect fit for the Baltimore-based band Turnstile. The group recently made a high-impact debut on Saturday Night Live, delivering a dynamic performance that captured the attention of the nation.
Their set featured a powerful medley of tracks from their acclaimed fourth album, Never Enough. The band launched into the heavy anthem ‘Birds‘, one of the album’s most striking tracks, before transitioning into the moodier sounds of ‘I Care‘ and finally landing with the punchy energy of ‘Dull‘.
This appearance came at a pivotal moment for the band. Just weeks after their work received significant recognition, including Best Metal Performance at the Grammys for ‘Birds‘ and Best Rock Album for ‘Never Enough‘, Turnstile shifted the focus from sonic excellence to profound social awareness. They used the platform of the sketch show to address the stark realities of global conflict.
“We’re existing in a time of heightened state violence,” the band shared, articulating a sense of global urgency. They spoke about watching people being displaced from their homes across various regions—including America, Palestine, Sudan, and Iran—and reflected on the shared sense of disconnection: “As if we don’t belong to them. As if we don’t belong to each other.”
This message resonated deeply, reinforcing the idea that art serves as a vital mirror. As one member later noted during interviews, artists hold a responsibility to reflect the world around them. Turnstile’s work, praised for its “heartfelt hardcore poptimism” and “vibrant eccentricity,” now carries an even greater weight, bridging the gap between high-octane music and serious geopolitical discourse.
The band’s creative output continues to evolve beyond their core albums. In August, they released ‘Never Enough: Versions’, a complete reimagining of their material featuring collaborations with major names, including Elton John, Hayley Williams, Blood Orange, A.G. Cook, and Four Tet. This project expands their sonic universe while maintaining their commitment to powerful, honest storytelling.
Turnstile has firmly established itself not just as a force in modern music, but as a voice that uses rhythm and melody to amplify crucial, urgent conversations about humanity and justice.
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