When Turnstile are announced as part of a festival line-up, you know that the performance is going to be one for the books. They aren’t your typical Glastonbury act, and, unsurprisingly, their set on the Other Stage is a far reach from the euphoric stylings of Alessi Rose and Beabadoobee that performed in the same field just one day before. That being said, when frontman Brendan Yates and co. take to the stage, it turns out that the Glasto crowd can give Download fest a run for its money.
It’s not an easy job taking on this year’s Sunday teatime slot – punters are still battling the consequences of the night before, and Rod Stewart is over at the Pyramid Stage, throwing everything but the kitchen sink at his Legends’ Slot. Yet, as they open with the title track from the new album, ‘Never Enough’, it feels like the audience is already in the palm of their hands.
Earlier this year, Charli XCX – who graced the stage with an epic set the night before – shared her love of the band, and named them as one of the artists she deems worthy to take over from ‘Brat Summer’. Based on their equal ability to make an audience go feral, it looks like she’s on the right track. “Wow, you alright?” Yates asks at one point, seeing the crowd engulfed in a cloud of dust following the intense moshpits. Based on the crazed smiles of the crowdsurfers being hurled over the metal barrier, he has his answer.
Tracks like ‘Holiday’ and ‘T.L.C. (Turnstile Love Connection)’ are almost as blistering as the overhead sun when they’re played live, and the closing track ‘Birds’ only further proves that Turnstile are masters of their craft when it comes to hardcore. They’re more than a one-trick pony, though, and more recent songs like ‘I Care’ and ‘Look Out For Me’ expertly show their ability to create a fusion of genres, all without losing the charm that first put them on the map.
This set is what Turnstile are all about – there’s no needless chatter and no projections behind them illustrating what their songs are meant to symbolise. Instead, it simply boils down to the sheer intensity and precision with which they deliver each of their 15 tracks, and the unwavering loyalty they get in return. Get ready for Turnstile to dominate this summer – and beyond.
Turnstile’s Glastonbury 2025 setlist was:
‘Never Enough’
‘T.L.C. (Turnstile Love Connection)’
‘Endless’
‘I Care/Dull’
‘Don’t Play’
‘Keep It Moving’
‘Drop’
‘Fly Again’
‘Seein’ Stars’
‘Come Back For More/Fazed Out’
‘Holiday’
‘Look Out For Me’
‘Mystery’
‘Blackout’
‘Birds’