LIVE REVIEW: TURNSTILE + BASEMENT + SCRAM @ BRISBANE RIVERSTAGE 09/01/26

Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi  Photos Charlyn Cameron

Is it too early (as we only 9 days into the New Year) to say we all just went to one of the best concerts of the year? But I think all those people partying at Brisbane’s Riverstage may agree.

Brisbane’s Riverstage welcomed the legendary American hardcore punk band Turnstile for the venue’s first show of 2026. Fireworks were not needed as Turnstile blew the night away with a musical detonation that had the crowd seeing colours and stars while being part of a monster moshpit, that included circle pits and crowd surfing (so many crowd surfers – it had to be a record!). Scram warmed up the crowd, and order dissolved almost instantly, when Basement came to the stage for their awesome set. And, we hadn’t even got to Turnstile.

The beginning of the gig started with Yamba-based hardcore punk band Scram. Known for their aggressive sound, Scram have just released their ‘Yamba Hardcore Demo - EP’ and wasted no time in showcasing their raw energy and no-frills hardcore approach.

Scram had many fans in the crowd and didn’t waste time showcasing their raw sound and their EP tracks like ‘Too Many Tears’, and ‘Justice (Served)’, and ‘Three Words’. Their energy and control of instrumentation were impressive. They had some great guitar solos and riffs, but it was the drums and bass where the band’s engine was the most impressive. The bassist just kept control and pumped out that line in time with the drums.

Scram are still a work in progress and vocal control and using that microphone need some work, but the future looks bright as they really showed flashes of punk hardcore class.

After a short break, and clearance of instruments and cables, the UK alternative rock heroes Basement were about to take to the stage and I was excited to see these guys. The crowd in the mosh had started singing and were about to let loose.

Then, the Suffolk-based quintet Basement, known for their emo and indie rock sounds, took to the stage. The band consisting of Andrew Fisher (vocals), James Fisher (drums), Alex Henery (guitar), Ronan Crix (guitar) and Duncan Stewart (bass) set the crowd alight as they delivered their electric 45-minute set. I am sure the first crowd surfer would attest to the happiness Basement delivered, as he was over the barrier within the first minute of their first song, 2019’s ‘Are You The One’. The kid’s grin was huge and the mosh was pumping. As Andrew Fisher encouraged the mosh and whipped them up into a frothy, sweaty mess.

Basement were super appreciative for having been brought along on this tour by Turnstile. But they more than held their own as the crowd was really into the set with mosh pits and crowd surfers flailing and falling over the barrier. Basement performed ‘Promise Everything’, before jumping back through their discography into ‘Aquasun’, ‘Early Grey’ and ‘Spoiled’. Then, they played new songs noted on the setlist less helpfully as ‘New Song 1’ and ‘New Song 2’ the setlist had some beautiful artwork of birds though – yep lovely! Basement did let us know that a new album is on the way, as these songs attested.

Basement demonstrated why they were one of the more prominent alternative rock bands of the past two decades as they delivered ‘Whole’, ‘Brother’s Keeper’ and followed it up with the last three classic songs in ‘Breathe’, ‘Pine’ and ‘Covet’. I was happy the songs on the setlist were a blend of new, old and some classics from their 2012 album ‘Colourmeinkindness’. Basement delivered a great set and the crowd loved them. I hope they hurry back to Oz.

The stage was then cleared - again – another drum kit was gone, and space was opened. A barrage of computing power was placed up behind the drums and the riser. It was starting to sprinkle light rain as we prayed to the weather gods to hold off just for 90 minutes. The crowd was then singing again and this time I could clearly hear – ‘Hey Baby’ by DJ Ötzi rang out.

This must have puzzled Turnstile, who were doing their best to put on 1980s referencing melodies and songs to give a moody and very blue-lit start to their performance, with their set referencing points. However, the crowd were in full party mode. They were at Riverstage to sweat it out! The circle pit opened at the first chord, bouncing through the mosh went off, and the crowd surfers came in waves. Was it a record? It felt like it!

And, I have to say Turnstile’s live show managed to do a rare thing: it brought the dank sweaty basement gig into a full flight arena show. The songs from their brilliant 2025 album ‘Never Enough’ pushed through and made a heart-connection with the crowd as the hardcore title track ‘Never Enough’ set the tone and was quickly followed by the harder songs ‘T.L.C. (Turnstile Love Connection)’ and ‘Endless’ from their 2022 album ‘Glow On’ were delivered.

The Baltimore band presented an expanded version of their punk rock vision at this gig. It was fully realised with sound and beautifully shot, high quality cinematic video production, backing sound control and lighting used to enhance the concert experience. It was slick and a contradiction: a punk band with that ethos, and yet here was massive concert production. But Turnstile did not lose sight of what’s important – the songs, and they were resolute in performing them in a dynamic and explosive fashion, now minus their shirts. The songs ‘I Care’, ‘Don’t Play’, ‘Real Thing’ and the razor-edged ‘Drop’ were performed with real skill.

The way Turnstile were able to blend hardcore punk guitar riffs and hooks with polished pop sensibilities was astounding. The reason they’re so popular is their effortless ability to make hardcore so fun, and their music and songwriting are especially fine. The following songs ‘Light Design’, ‘Come Back for More / Fazed Out’, ‘Sunshower’ and ‘7’ demonstrated it. They were also careful during the set to rest, and there were many mini-breaks, that they and the crowd needed to keep that energy up.

Turnstile’s set was electrifying. It was made complete by their lighting design and the use of strategically placed cameras that captured the joy in the crowd and screened it back at them. But the band also ‘Kept It moving’ as the lead singer Brendan Yates took the time to talk to the crowd and thanked them for coming along and being there for the band as he expressed his gratitude and process the band has gone through to reach their fans across the globe.

Turnstile as a band is astonishing: the drummer Daniel Fang brought his style and ripped physique. Brendan Yates’ voice cuts through and over the riffs of guitarists Meg Mills and Pat McCrory and the tight basslines of Franz Lyons as they giddily flung themselves about the stage while performing ‘Fly Again’, ‘Sole’, before a short break with ‘Ceiling’ being played in the background while everyone took a much needed breath.

The set was entering its last phases with ‘Seein’ Stars’, ‘Holiday’ and ‘Look Out For Me’ being delivered as the sweat was dripping off the insane mosh crowd. I had moved back from the barrier and was watching from the hill as my wet shirt was drying off and watching from a distance, the sight was amazing of bodies bouncing, the surfers moving and the band punching out the music.

The set then started to close. The last three songs were ‘Mystery, ‘Blackout’ and ‘Birds’. When ‘Birds’ started, the stage invasion began. There was a mass of fans and friends jumping out of the mosh and rushing from the sides of the stage: in the best piece of managed chaos, I have seen in a long time. It was rapturous! The crowd was pumped and it was chaotic.

I am not sure if it is too soon, but I think Turnstile and Basement with Scram closed out what in all probability might be one of the best concerts of the year. Turnstile’s note to other bands: up your game. What an amazing night!