With the theme of the night already on friendship and doing what you love and enjoy, flipturn was so clearly not just bandmates, but friends too. The five members, Dillon Basse on lead vocals, Tristan Duncan on guitar, Mitch Fountain on guitar and keys, Madeline Jarman on Bass, and Devon VonBalson on drums, made the stage their very own playground as they flowed with each other, highlighting each member’s strengths and performances. It’s rare to see a band not only appreciate their bandmates’ performances but also willingly step out of the spotlight to let another shine.

Their setlist was full of old and new music, telling me that this tour isn’t just to showcase their newest music and newest milestones, but it is also a journey back to their roots, reminding us of where they came from and where they started. My personal favorite songs from the Burnout Days album, “Swim Between Trees” and “Moon Rocks,” both feature unique elements I was excited to hear live. “Swim Between Trees” stands out for its shift from fast-paced lyricism to slower verses, while “Moon Rocks” has a fun mic effect that was so cool to experience in person. Anyone who’s listened to flipturn has likely heard their song “Chicago.” As someone who dreams of venturing to a bigger city, this song sends chills down my spine and brings tears to my eyes. I had been hoping to hear it live, and thankfully, my wish came true! The crowd sang along with Basse, creating a moment that put a smile on every band member’s face. These are the moments where I am reminded of why I am huge fan of listening to live music. Because not only do you witness the emotion on the singer’s face, but you also pick up on details in the music that you otherwise might have missed in the recorded version. The emotions displayed on every single one of the band member’s faces, whether they were in the zone or feeling every lyric, helped connect the audience to the band.

The last time flipturn was in Indianapolis, they performed at the Hi-Fi, and judging by the excited shouts from the crowd, many in attendance had been there for that show as well. The fans certainly didn’t disappoint. From the front of the barricade to the back of the pit, groups of friends danced together, fans held up personalized and humorous signs, and others raised their phones, trying to communicate with the band through text on their screens. It was clear that flipturn has a deep appreciation for their fans, and this is a fandom I’m excited to be a part of.  

From the get-go, I went in with high expectations and left with them completely exceeded. Not only was this show a fun way to see their hard work and music come to life, but it was also a testament to how flipturn is taking the indie-rock scene by storm. Their tour doesn’t stop here, though! With the tour still halfway through, there are plenty of opportunities to catch them live, which you can find here. Plus, you can catch them at several festivals this summer, including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Outside Lands, just to name a few. I can tell you right now, this definitely won’t be the last time I see them!