A Turnstile live performance in Richmond, VA descended into controversy this week after a police officer reportedly discharged pepper spray at followers making an attempt to hitch the band onstage. The incident came about on Wednesday, September 24 at Brown’s Island in the course of the Baltimore outfit’s encore efficiency of “Birds.”
As a result of nothing fairly screams “cops who do not perceive what the fuck is occurring” than pepper spraying followers who’re stage diving. Go residence, guys.
As a part of their high-energy reside custom, Turnstile inspired viewers members to hitch them on stage. Video footage from the night time exhibits bassist and vocalist Franz Lyons actively serving to a fan onto the platform whereas pushing again in opposition to safety workers making an attempt to intervene.
Nonetheless, one officer was seen pointing pepper spray at followers close to the stage, earlier than dispersing the chemical straight into the face of a concertgoer making an attempt to climb up. The blast affected not solely followers on the barricade but in addition members of Turnstile onstage, with Lyons visibly shielding his eyes.
Attendees described chaos within the speedy aftermath, with followers pouring water into each other’s eyes to counteract the burning. One teenage fan reportedly required medical consideration, whereas others described lingering signs into the next morning.
Richmond Sheriff Antionette Irving has since confirmed that her workplace, which dealt with safety on the present, has opened an investigation. “We’re reviewing the live performance exercise and any allegations associated to any incidents,” Irving advised native outlet CBS 6 (WTVR).
Clips from the present, together with one shared by YouTube consumer TimmyDNB, shortly circulated on-line, fueling widespread debate over police conduct at reside music occasions. Whereas some followers expressed disappointment that the night time ended on such a bitter observe, many insisted the incident didn’t damage what was in any other case an “superb present.”
Neither Turnstile‘s administration, promoter The Broadberry, nor RMC Occasions have publicly commented on the matter as of press time.
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