Flipturn Live in Columbus
Photo by Amanda Laferriere
As a longtime fan of Flipturn, I was stoked to have the opportunity to catch their November 2nd show at A&R Music Bar in Columbus. After opening A&R earlier this year for Wilderado and now selling out the venue, the Columbus concert-goers were alight with infectious energy and excitement prior to the start of Flipturn’s show at a rate I haven’t seen at A&R previously.
Openers The Brazen Youth entered to a chorus of cheers as they flooded the venue with breezy melodies and vibrant guitar lines. The Brazen Youth played a variety of tracks from their newest album Eagle, Idaho, and while I didn’t know their music beforehand, the intimacy given by their live set felt like a fantastic introduction to the indie sound they create. Viral track “Center Of Gravity” was a standout to me within this set, highlighting the strengths of The Brazen Youth through cinematic building instrumentation and expansive vocals. The band also joked that the track was their own “Stairway to Heaven,” and I am inclined to agree after such a bright performance.
Flipturn began to amp up the crowd’s energy before even playing a note with a playlist of hits playing between sets, specifically with “Goofy Goober Rock” from Spongebob prompting a sing-along within the crowd as the band soundchecked and laughed. The band then kicked off their set with “The Fall,” and the sea of people inside A&R couldn’t help but jump around as the band’s heavy basslines and lush vocals rang out. “Sad Disco” and “Brooklyn Baby” were vibrant features of the set from the Shadowglow album, and as a longtime fan of the band, I absolutely adored finally getting to hear “Chicago” live. The mid-set explosion of “Hippies” also really stood out to me with amplified dance-ready synth elements and energetic instrumentation carrying as every voice in the building joined in the chorus of “but you were such a fucking hippy, a counter-culture baby.” The encore included the hit single “August,” and my heart practically melted as two attendees next to me got engaged in the midst of the building chorus.
To be entirely frank, Flipturn easily has clinched the spot as the best concert I’ve seen this year. I think my mid show notes state my feelings perfectly as I wrote, “This makes me want to go be a Flipturn groupie. It's no wonder this tour is almost entirely sold out and that multiple venues have been upgraded and then sold out again. The talent, the passion, and the energy is quite literally off the charts. I am in awe.” The Florida natives sounded even better live than they do recorded, and with such a fun and consistent energy, every person in the packed out crowd seemed to have a permanent smile plastered on their face long after the last chord was played. Even as I write this two days later, I feel inspired by the way the band showcased such pure raw talent and love for their craft. This show proved to me that Flipturn defines unadulterated indie rock excellence, and with so many sold-out tour dates, I think the general public is inclined to agree.
I could have watched this show for at least three hours longer, and with brand new tour dates announced for 2023, I think I just might have to drive out to another show.
