Concert Review: Glowing in the Shadows: flipturn Lights Up Jacksonville
By Conrad Centeno
In the humid heart of a Florida summer, I joined the end of a long line snaking down the sidewalk outside Intuition Bier Hall, a 6,000 sq ft music joint on the edge of Downtown Jacksonville. With an illustrious history of hosting bands like The Mountain Goats and Of Montreal, tonight it was set to be taken over by local indie rock favorites, flipturn.
Their 2022 debut album, "Shadowglow had firmly planted flipturn on the indie rock scene, while their recent June 2023 rendition of Tears For Fears’ 1985 classic "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" offered an unexpected, yet delightful, fusion of their indie rock sensibility with '80s nostalgia.
Entering the buzzing hall, I instantly run into lead vocalist Dillon Basse standing subtly at the back with a hat covering his signature flowing hair, immersed in opening act Trash Panda's performance. We reminisced about our first meeting for a 2019 interview at Arrow’s Aim Record Shop in Gainesville, a time when they were a burgeoning band but already generating a buzz.
Consisting of Dillon Basse (lead vocals, guitar), Tristan Duncan (lead guitar), Madeline Jarman (bass), Mitch Fountain (synth / guitar), and Devon VonBalson (drums), flipturn skillfully navigates between the energetic, guitar-centric soundscapes akin to Two Door Cinema Club and the warm, laid-back surf-touched vibes that Best Coast is known for, all the while crafting a distinctive sound that is uniquely their own.
This was the first of two sold-out nights in Jacksonville - a testament to flipturn's steadily growing fanbase and their magnetic allure. This allure has not gone unnoticed, as they've recently shared the stage with renowned bands like COIN and Rainbow Kitten Surprise. As the room darkened in anticipation of the show, video game music started playing from the DJ and an energy began to pulsate through the crowd, foreshadowing the sonic journey we were about to embark on.
From the moment the opening notes of their first song, "The Fall," echoed through the hall, flipturn unleashed a potent wave of energy. With Devon masterfully maintaining the pulse on drums, Dillon bobbed his head, cutting a captivating figure as he moved fluidly across the stage as if to float.
The momentum surged during "Sad Disco," with fans in the front row leading a frenzied jumping brigade. By the time "Chicago" kicked off, the crowd was electric, releasing collective screams of “I’m going to Chicago” and “I get high in Colorado”. Madeline, particularly, was a magnetic presence, her energy heightening during her part of the song, "This doesn’t feel, this doesn’t feel quite right."
The band displayed an impressive versatility when performing "Whales." Devon brought a portion of his drum kit out front, at one point even climbing onto his drums, while Mitch deftly oscillated between keyboard and guitar.
Despite the fiery energy, the transitions between songs were seamless. A peculiar sight of the night was the mothers, leaning against the walls of this all-ages show, attempting to stay clear of their teens that they drove there.
"In Consideration" saw a shift in tempo, Dillon's expressive hand movements seemed to coax an invisible genie from a lamp. This expressive display continued into "Glistening," where Tristan's skillful guitar solo beautifully complemented Devon's assertive percussion.
As they hit the mid-point of their set with their rendition of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," Dillon's perspiration-covered hair hid his face. On Madeline's cue, the audience roared "Duuuval," a local rally cry, turning the hall into a sea of celebration. This performance featured some of the night's most exuberant onstage antics, with Dillon narrowly avoiding collisions with Tristan and Madeline during their energetic twirls.
The crowd's unity was palpable during "Hippies," with a unified shout of "Such a fucking hippie," erupting as Dillon hit a soaring falsetto on the line, "I lost you."
The encore featured their three bangers: "August," "Churches," and "Nickel,". The last of which saw an exciting twist as the drummer from Trash Panda joined the band on stage which allowed Devon who was soaked in sweat, to stage dive into the adoring crowd.
As I stood side stage, it was impossible to ignore flipturn's growth and evolution since I first encountered them at Heartwood Soundstage in 2019. They've not only settled into their performance style but have elevated it, perfecting their tight, dynamic sound and stage presence. The unexpected collaboration during "Nickel" was the cherry on top of an already unforgettable night, a perfect symbol of flipturn's continued rise in the music scene.
While Jacksonville witnessed the first of two sold-out nights, it's only the beginning of flipturn's explosive year. They're set to headline shows in Virginia Beach, Orlando, and Los Angeles where their captivating brand of indie rock will no doubt continue to pull in legions of new fans. Moreover, they're slated to support several shows for Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Mt Joy, and Shakey Graves.
Tracing flipturn's journey from their humble beginnings in a garage in Fernandina Beach, Florida, to the powerhouse of energy they've become today, it's clear that they have truly evolved. Their explosive performance in Jacksonville is a testament to this growth, showing a band that's not merely on the rise, but one that has fully arrived, making their mark on the indie rock scene.
As I witnessed their killer set, I couldn't help but share my admiration with their manager, Sam Heekin, once the house lights came back up. Their journey is one I've been closely observing, and it was heartening to see their progress.
And as the show was over now, I was reminded of a lyric from their song "Churches," which goes, "Well, religion left the building 'bout an hour ago." It seems like a fitting tribute to the nearly religious experience of their live performances, creating a sanctuary of sound where the congregation is their devoted fans.
