Additional Coverage:
Baltimore hardcore band Turnstile made a landmark return for the genre on Saturday Night Live, breaking a 45-year absence of hardcore acts on the iconic stage. Their debut on the October 3 episode, hosted by Dakota Johnson, marked the first hardcore performance on SNL since the early 1980s.
Turnstile opened with a dynamic drum solo leading into “BIRDS,” a track from their upcoming 2025 album Never Enough. They later came back for a high-energy medley of “I CARE” and “DULL,” performing amid a striking light show and a backdrop of glowing phone screens.
The moment was loaded with historical significance-and humor. In a promotional clip, SNL cast member Ben Marshall pointed out the long gap since a hardcore band last appeared, while Turnstile lightheartedly promised not to wreak havoc on the studio.
That cautionary humor references FEAR’s notorious 1981 appearance, invited by John Belushi, which famously ended with chaotic slam dancing and thousands of dollars in studio damage at NBC’s Rockefeller Center. Other acts have also faced bans or blacklisting after tumultuous SNL performances, including The Replacements in 1986 and Elvis Costello in 1977.
Fans have greeted Turnstile’s performance with enthusiasm. Comments on social media praised the band as a refreshing alternative to more polished, commercial acts.
Some admitted they aren’t hardcore fans themselves but appreciated seeing the genre represented on mainstream television. One viewer even called Turnstile’s set the highlight of the night, a notable compliment given that pop superstar Taylor Swift also appeared on the show.
Johnson’s opening monologue added a personal touch, referencing her “two very public, very lame breakups with two very awesome musicians” and joking about Swift as her “literal therapist.” Swift chimed in with a quip about their friendship, saying, “I’m not your therapist, actually. You just show up once a week at my house with an empty bottle of wine and ask if I want some.”
The two recently collaborated on a music video, starring Johnson alongside Colin Farrell, which premiered at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 27.
Turnstile’s groundbreaking SNL performance not only revived hardcore’s place on the show but also won over a diverse audience, proving the genre’s lasting impact and appeal.