Flipturn Gives Electric Performance at San Francisco’s Brick and Mortar Music Hall

Lead singer Dillon Basse feels the music at recent Brick and Mortar Music Hall performance. Photo contributed by Amanda Laferriere – @ajpgphoto

Have you ever been to a concert that left you in a trance for days after its end – unable to think about anything but the concert and listening to the music on repeat? If you answered no to this question, I can only presume you have not yet seen indie-rock five-piece, Flipturn live. Add Flipturn to your playlists and grab tickets to the concert nearest you. You will not be disappointed. 

On October 2, Brick and Mortar Music Hall in San Francisco came alive fully under the captivating spell of a Flipturn live performance. 

Rarely ever is a band just as impressive live as they are in their recorded work, but Flipturn earns this accolade. The quality of the vocal performance is superb and powerful.  It’s obvious that autotune isn’t needed for this group.  

The band’s lineup consists of Dillon Basse (lead vocalist), Madeline Jarman (Bass), Tristan Duncan (lead guitar), Mitch Fountain (synth), and Devon VonBalson (Drums). Don’t be fooled by the lineup listed above, though. Many of the members are multi-instrumentalists. Dillon Basse was nearly as impressive on guitar as he was with his velvety vocal chords. At one point in the show, Tristan and Mitch switched, with Mitch on lead guitar and Tristan on the keys behind him. The versatility and talent of each band member is apparent in the performance.

San Francisco was the thirteenth stop on the band’s debut ‘Warmth in the Rain’ tour, but the energy felt as though SF was their first stop. Never have I seen an audience so entranced by the music. 

The show at Brick and Mortar Music Hall proved that Flipturn, whose largest fan base has historically been in their home state of Florida, has certainly racked up a fan base across the nation. Nearly every member of the audience was jumping up and down singing the lyrics to every one of the band’s songs. 

The band’s energy was electric and undeniably infectious.  Bassist Madeline Jarman amplifies every song with her expert bass lines – smiling, swaying, and radiating positive vibes.

Flipturn makes it hard for music journalists and fans to pinpoint standout moments, because the entire night was full of standout moments. 

One such moment was when the band played their fifth song of the night, ‘Glistening.’ ‘Glistening’ has one of the coolest guitar lines I have ever heard.  The two guitarists artfully layer the guitar lines and perfectly set up the growing drumline, bass, and keys to come, building to the pure catharsis of Dillon’s lyrics:  “Sweet Thing.” To watch Tristan and Dillon play together is absolutely mesmerizing. 

Not only was the set dynamic, but it was also incredibly varied. Flipturn showcased their slower, haunting and reflective numbers, their fast-paced indie-rock numbers, and gave the audience a preview of two new songs entitled ‘Space Cowboy’ and ‘Playground.’ Their new songs are just as impressive and show their evolving sound with the addition of Mitch and Devon to the band.

It is also worth noting that the band performed an impressive rendition of the hit classic ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ by Tears for Fears. Considering the amount of covers that exist and how commonly this song is played, it feels like the band took a risk choosing to cover it. Thankfully, it was a risk that paid off. Somehow, they brought something new to the song. It felt like hearing it again for the first time. The pure and almost husky quality of Dillon’s voice enriched a classic song. The band brought a playfulness to the song.  The iconic riff in ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ was played expertly by lead guitarist Tristan Duncan who had a stand-out moment during this performance.

The band closed the concert with ‘Did I Love You (Like I Promised To)?’ Its somber beauty wounds anyone who has nursed a broken heart.  Basse’s phrasing lingered on unexpected words that added to the emotional punch. No lyrics were rushed.  Listeners were empowered to absorb the song.  The extended instrumental introduction and the way lyrics underscore that time is fleeting prompted listeners to reflect on the bittersweetness of endings. 

Perhaps one of my favorite moments in the show, though, was the two song encore to which the audience was treated. Flipturn played one of their most streamed songs, ‘Chicago,’ which includes the lyrics, “See the sunrise on the east coast, see it set in San Francisco.”  It was symbolic of how far Flipturn has come, and the audience and the band recognized that, screaming “San Francisco” in unison.  The band also played ‘Nickel,’ which is a fan favorite.  Flipturn’s audience is young, and the lyrics speak to people navigating young adulthood:  “You are only 20 years old. Don’t sell your soul for your father’s gold.”  Even in a rock song, Dillon Basse retained his unmatched tonal quality.  

Never have I mourned the ending of a concert more than that night. Flipturn really knows how to leave you wanting more. 

I doubt it will be long before Flipturn becomes a household name. Though the thought of them no longer playing intimate venues is bittersweet, you cannot help but want to shout from the rooftops, “Listen to Flipturn!” Flipturn deserves a big audience.

I can only hope this review was ‘Something You Needed’. Be sure to add Flipturn to your list of must-see concerts. Keep your eye out for Flipturn. There are big things in store for them. 

     Article by Anna Armstrong

     Photos by Amanda Laferriere – @ajpgphoto