What if Backstreet Boys had, like, you know, RIFFS? I mean, no one’s gonna deny that “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” smokes and is the No. 1 kinda-ironic-but-actually-not-at-all karaoke song for guys with sparrow and nautical star tattoos. Regardless, if they did have riffs, and a couple two-three bangers, then maybe their shows would vaguely resemble spring 2022’s super-sold-out megatour with Turnstile, Citizen, Ceremony, Ekulu, and Truth Cult. There’s a reason so many tickets flew out the door—seeing a Turnstile show is a cathartic experience, one where you become one with the collective groove. Plus, we haven’t seen a frenzy for a tour like this since No Strings Attached. That shit’s larger than life. And so are these photos from the tour, courtesy Angela Owens, taken at the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C.—CREEM Staff
Teaching 'em early.
Turnstile's Brendan Yates exhibits his superior Jeet Kune Do.
Brendan spots a rat on the 9:30 Club stage.
Moments before Turnstile's Franz Lyons proves Lambada is the forbidden dance.
HI-YA!
High-fives for sale!
Someone really needs to call pest control...
Brendan spots an ice cream stand mid-performance.
Give this man some ICE CREAM.
Pat tunes his rack tom.
Truth Cult's Paris Roberts needs to remember not to spend his food per diem on baseball cards.
Anthony from Ceremony and Ned from Glitterer pause for a moment of zen.
Anthony from Ceremony telepathically shouts out Wendy and Lisa.
Ceremony's Ross Farrar comes to mid-gig and realizes he's not at the Syracuse Student Union poetry slam.
Ceremony's Andy Nelson jumps up and screams, "The floor is lava!" Bassist Jasmine Watson remains nonplussed.
Ceremony's Anthony explains his bitcoin brand CEREMONIE$ to Truth Cult's Paris.
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