Turnstile Make Their SNL Debut, First Hardcore Band on the Show in 45 Years

Turnstile made their Saturday Night Live debut over the weekend as musical guest on the episode hosted by Dakota Johnson. As the show's promos noted, they are the first hardcore band booked on SNL since Fear's infamous appearance, which happened 45 years ago this month. The closest thing since was drummer Luis Aponte, then of Jesus Piece, backing Charli XCX on the program in 2021.

The band opened with "Birds," launched by a drum solo from Daniel Fang, and returned later for a medley of "I CARE" and "DULL." Brendan Yates filled the stage with high kicks and spins, while the second performance unfolded in front of a wall covered in rotary telephones. The set paid off when the lights dropped and a single phone blinked red on the wall as Yates sang about waiting for a call deep in the night.

The booking caps a banner stretch for the group, who became the first act nominated in the rock, alternative, and metal fields at a single Grammy ceremony, taking home Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance.

Johnson, promoting her new film Verity, spent part of her monologue joking about dating musicians before bringing out Taylor Swift, whom she introduced as her "literal therapist." Swift reappeared during the goodnights carrying a cake, apparently startling Turnstile guitarist Pat McCrory in the process.

The TV appearance landed one night after Turnstile played the first weekend of Austin City Limits. The band has tour dates Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before returning to Austin for the festival's second weekend.