By Hannah Roberts, First Year, English
On a rain-soaked Thursday night, The Fleece was buzzing with intensity in anticipation for Florida indie outfit Flipturn’s Bristol debut. The weather, however, was no dampener on the evening, with a snaking line out the door for a sold-out show at the 450-capacity venue.
People were drawn to the venue’s intimate charm, with low ceilings and darkened walls and beams forcing eye-to-eye connection with fans, as though it were home turf. The setting ensured that every cheer, chord, and beat resonated fully through the space.
Support came from Tennessee’s Colony House, whose charm and musicianship set the perfect tone for the evening. Even for those who hadn’t heard them before, the band’s energy and skill left jaws dropped, particularly the drummers, his intensity almost breaking through his instrument. This infectious energy continued into the main event.
A likeness with the group Neon Trees was notable through tracks such as ‘You Know It’ boasting a nostalgic 2010s feel. Inspirations such as U2 and The Killers were clear in the infectious sound that blended indie-rock sensibilities with stadium-ready hooks. The performance gave space to question why the band hasn’t grown even further in popularity, with them easily building the crowd’s energy and excitement for the main event as the night continued.
Touring for their latest album, Burnout Days, flipturn arrived with the urgency of an underdog but the presence of seasoned professionals. The set was a dynamic journey through both energetic anthems and more introspective, coming of age moments.
Songs from ‘Burnout Days’ flowed seamlessly with older material acting as a narrative arc of youthful restlessness, heartbreak, and eventual acceptance. The band’s ability to switch from unrestrained energy to subtle vulnerability kept the crowd fully engaged throughout the night, often topped off with a knowing smirk from the lead singer. The intimate venue amplified the connection, making every note and lyric feel immediate and personal.
From the opening notes of their hit song ‘August’, the walls seemed to contract as cheers of excitement echoed through the tightly packed room. The song, an 80-million Spotify streams heartbreak anthem, took on an even more intense atmosphere live. This highlighted not only the agonising relatability of the lyrics for so many, but also foregrounded the resigned, almost cathartic nature of the track.
It exuded a feeling that requires true talent to capture in a song. It was a joint confessional where both band and audience gave their all, which the band seemed incredibly moved to experience. The unguarded edge to the singer’s performance, nearly bursting with passion, made it clear that flipturn thrives in connecting with their fans on a deeply personal level.
Another track that shone live was ‘Right’ from their new album, its gradual build towards an emphatic, tension-filled final chorus perfectly echoing the evening’s momentum. Their sizeable yet devoted fanbase feels perfectly suited to the art they make; they’re known well enough to cultivate a strong community, yet small enough to gate-keep.
Particular mention must be made of the drummer once again, whose playful and daring energy added a sense of unpredictability to the performance. At one point, he even placed his drum on his head without missing a beat, earning deserved applause from the in-awe audience. It was a small but telling display of the band’s willingness to take risks and a show of their true skill level, still playing excellently despite sight impairment.
Ultimately, this Bristol debut was both poignant and memorable. From the sold-out queue outside to the emotionally charged sing-alongs, the band proved that they are not only truly capable musicians but also natural performers. Their ability to balance passion, intimacy, and showmanship marks them as a band with a promising future.
Alannah Mylechreest
Sam Prentice
If the energy and emotion on display at The Fleece was any indication, flipturn is destined to turn fans and simple attendees into lifelong devotees, wherever they go.
Featured image: Epigram / Hannah RobertsDid you manage to catch flipturn’s Bristol debut?
