Maybe it was the jet lag. Maybe it was the fact that instead of playing to their usual audience of madly dedicated fans, they are faced with more of a listening crowd, dotted on couches and chairs around this sumptuous venue. Maybe they’ve even taken something from their ‘Other Voices’ experience. Whatever the reason, this was not the usual high energy experience that we’ve come to expect from Turn’s Dublin appearances. Which, in a funny way, made it all the more special.
Shorn of the usual volume, the real heart of what makes Turn so vital begins to emerge. While their indie guitar anthems still fizz along excitedly, it’s the more thoughtful end of their canon that shines tonight. Ollie’s Elliot Smith fixation might not make much sense when you listen to ‘Another Year Over’ but on gorgeous newie ‘Close Your Eyes’ it’s fairly crying out. Similarly, their cover of Rufus Wainwright’s ‘One Man Guy’ makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, such is its ghostly beauty. Then comes the time for the worst kept secret of the night, as the trio head to the bar and hand over to Bell X1 – two members of whom have featured in tonight’s support bands.
In town, this would probably have resulted in mass hysteria, but given the night that’s in it, the crowd ripple with quiet excitement. It’s short but undoubtedly sweet, a low-key saunter through ‘Slow Set’ and PJ Harvey’s ‘Good Fortune’, complete with Cole on backing vocals. Yet it also reminds you that here are a band who have transcended their roots to make the music of their lives.
Turn aren’t the young bucks who made ‘Beretta’ anymore, they are a band capable of producing work of huge depth and vision. The challenge is for their audience to go with them.