On Saturday October 24, hardcore band Turnstile held a free outdoor benefit concert at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., raising funds for Human Concern International’s humanitarian relief efforts in Palestine, Lebanon, and Sudan. An estimated 60,000 attendees gathered around the Washington Monument, filling the surrounding area.
$150,000 was raised in the leadup to the event, and as of publication, the partnership with Human Concern International has surpassed $230,000.
The show began with “BIRDS,” and included songs like “I CARE,” “DULL,” “MYSTERY,” “Drop,” and “LOOK OUT FOR ME.” The band closed out the show with songs “NEVER ENOUGH” and “T.L.C. (TURNSTILE LOVE CONNECTION).” For most of us who weren’t there, we had the pleasure of vicariously experiencing the concert through those who were there. It is in these moments that the openness of social media is truly a gift.
As someone who is Lebanese and part of the wider Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) community, it is always heartening to see events like this receive such widespread attention. Equally moving was seeing the genuine joy of the crowds as they listened to one of the most liberating art mediums there is: music.
Throughout the crowd, attendees waved Palestinian, Lebanese, and Sudanese flags. One particularly memorable image showed a child holding a sign referencing the Washington Monument’s pencil-like shape, reading “Turnstile at the Pencil Building kid pit.” People were jumping up and down, with fans posting gravity-defying photographs all over our timelines.
The significance of the location is not lost on anyone. Lead singer Brendan Yates led the chants, “Free Palestine, Free Sudan and Free Lebanon” while facing in the direction of the White House.
At one point, a fan was tackled by security as they attempted to climb onto the stage. Turnstile’s band members intervened, stopping the confrontation and helping the fan onto the stage. Make no mistake: this show was for the people.
Solidarity actions, activism and speaking out against the status quo go hand-in-hand with rock music. They are not separate entities. After all, none of these birds were meant to fly alone.
A fan-made website has has since been created to archive the performance and celebrate the photographers, videographers, and fans who documented it. The site also directs visitors to the fundraiser, allowing the event’s impact to extend beyond the concert itself.
Concerts are one of the few remaining third spaces that allow for momentary respite from the world’s horrors. Turnstile could have thrown a show completely separate from politics and the state of the world. Instead, they used their platform to raise awareness and funds while giving their audience an opportunity to participate in something larger than the performance itself.
Turnstile put on an incredible show without shying away from addressing the genocide in Gaza, Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory, and the ongoing humanitarian crises in Sudan and Lebanon. In doing so, they also drew attention to the role of powerful governments, including Washington, in shaping these conflicts.
One thing is certain: Trump’s social media team won’t use Turnstile’s music anytime soon.