Turnstile’s live shows are usually a whirlwind of sweat, stage dives, and pure hardcore release. At their Richmond stop last Wednesday (September 24), the energy turned controversial when a fan was allegedly pepper sprayed by a sheriff’s deputy during the encore.
The Baltimore band closed the night at Brown’s Island with ‘Birds’, a track from their new album Never Enough that’s become a regular closer, often with fans spilling onto the stage. In video footage aired by CBS 6 News, one fan tries to climb up before a deputy from the Richmond City Sheriff’s Office appears to hit them with pepper spray.
The spray didn’t just affect the would be stage diver, Turnstile bassist Franz Lyons can be seen shielding his eyes and stumbling toward the back of the stage as it all unfolded.
By Friday (September 26), Richmond Sheriff Antionette Irving confirmed to CBS 6 that an internal investigation is underway. A spokesperson for the Richmond City Sheriff’s Office added that the local police department had been tasked with show security that night, though no further comment has been provided. When pressed, Turnstile’s camp has yet to weigh in either.
The alleged use of pepper spray on a fan during what was meant to be a celebratory closer has sparked debate about the role of law enforcement at punk and hardcore shows. For many in the scene, the images cut against the communal spirit Turnstile have spent years building, where stage diving and singalongs are part of the deal, not grounds for chemical deterrents.
North American Tour continues
Turnstile are currently midway through their North American tour in support of Never Enough, with a stacked support line up featuring Speed, Jane Remover, Amyl and the Sniffers, Mannequin Pussy, and Blood Orange. The record has already delivered singles like ‘Never Enough’, ‘Birds’, ‘Seein’ Stars’, and ‘Look Out for Me’.
For now, Richmond authorities are keeping quiet as their investigation continues, but the hardcore community is watching closely.
Story Source: Pitchfork
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