REVIEW: Turnstile - PICA – Melbourne, VIC
Written by: Lachlan Bradford
Turnstile didn’t just kick off the year in Port Melbourne, they set a bar most bands won’t touch in 2026.
From the moment they hit the room, it was obvious this wasn’t just another stop on a tour cycle. This is a band in full command of itself. Not “good for hardcore.” Not “great live.” Just flat out one of the best bands in the world, in their absolute prime.
They’ve grown noticeably since their last Melbourne show at The Forum. Same DNA, bigger presence. Sharper edges. More confidence.
Basement felt like the perfect support: emotional, locked in, and instantly embraced by a crowd ready to scream every word. By the time they wrapped, the room was already frothing.
Then the lights dipped. The synth started humming. Everyone knew.
Turnstile exploded into Never Enough and the place cracked wide open. TLC followed and the pit turned feral, Glow On favourites landing with the weight of songs that have only grown bigger with time.
The real flex was the balance. New material sat comfortably beside early cuts, and the older songs somehow hit harder than ever. This setlist didn’t play favourites, it fed everyone.
Brendan Yates is a problem. World-class stage presence. Equal parts frontman, hype man, and human windmill. Right now, it’s genuinely hard to name another band operating with that level of control over a room.
The encore refused to sag. Look Out For Me rolled into a dancey, extended outro as the crowd flashed across the screens. A smart, simple move that kept the energy up instead of killing it.
They came back swinging. Blasting through Mystery and Blackout, before closing with Birds, a song that’s quietly cementing itself as one of the great modern anthems. Absolute chaos.
If you’ve got tickets to this tour, you’re about to have your year recalibrated. If you don’t, you’ll hear about it from everyone who did.
Turnstile – The Never Enough Australian Tour
With special guests Basement
Thu 1 Jan – PICA – Melbourne, VIC
Tue 6 Jan – Hordern Pavilion – Sydney, NSW
Fri 9 Jan – Riverstage – Brisbane, QLD
Sun 11 Jan – Red Hill Auditorium – Perth, WA
