by During a show on Brown’s Island in Virginia, a fan of the hardcore outfit Turnstile was pepper-sprayed as he attempted to join the band on stage.
Turnstile are known for their high-energy sets that often see audience members joining the band, especially for their huge number ‘Birds’. Video footage of the night shows band members encouraging fans to take to the stage with them, and even helping them up after they’d crowd-surfed past the barrier.
However, one unlucky concertgoer was hit with pepper spray before he was able to make it up. The blast from the pepper spray was directed at the singular individual, but appeared to impact other fans at the barrier, with bassist and vocalist Franz Lyons appearing to shield his eyes.
It is unusual for a concert to be manned by law enforcement personnel. It is currently still unknown why force was used on this particular fan of the band.
Richmond Sheriff Antionette Irving told CBS 6 she was launching an investigation into the incident. She shared: “We are reviewing the concert activity and any allegations related to any incidents,” Irving told local outlet, as per The Richmonder.
2025 has been a highly successful year for the group so far, with their album Never Enough earning positive acclaim, including a three-and-a-half-star review from Far Out, which said: “Turnstile have shown an intense understanding of warring tensions, how bona fide hardcore punk can be bolstered by the delicacy that contextualises it.”
They will undertake a UK and European tour set to begin later this year. Starting at Dublin’s National Stadium in October, the punk band will then bring their high-energy show to London’s Alexandra Palace, heading to Paris and Lisbon before wrapping up in Madrid on November 27th. The UK shows will boast support from High Vis and The Garden.
The band are yet to make a statement about the incident.
