LIVE: The Turning - Camden Barfly, London 17.02.15

Take a look at The Turning just over a year ago, and you see a band beginning to realise their potential, beginning to wander from their home city and test the waters in the rest of the UK, and even going as far as Brussels and Paris. Tuesday, however, saw them return to London, playing Barfly as part of their February/March tour.

Entering the venue, it’s easy to see The Turning have built up a fan base – they’ve fashioned a merch stand at the top of the stairs, which seems to be constantly busy, and a large portion of the crowd are clad in ‘The Turning’ t-shirts. At an Arctic Monkeys gig, this wouldn’t seem unusual, but for fans of a new band to be so committed is impressive.

With an audience of all manner of people – from 14 year old girls to middle-aged men – it’s difficult to imagine many things would be agreed on. What everyone can seem to agree on, however, is that they really like The Turning. Who’d have though that a band of 18/19 year olds could cause the harmony between teenage girls and dads?!

Yet they manage, and with an energetic set quickly remind everyone of their talent. Kicking off with the title track of their mini-album, Settle For That, they launch into a full-powered set. They have an admirable confidence – perhaps well-earned arrogance – that’s exactly the sort of stage presence that every new rock band needs, and many lack. They played through an impressive 14-song set, and it doesn’t take long for the static crowd, who moments before had been chatting nonchalantly, to begin head-bobbing and shaking along to the ’60s vibes. Whilst the set was long, it seemed that the fans at the front were unable to take their eyes off the band; after recognition from the band themselves it would seem that these faces aren’t unfamiliar. These are the same faces that have been following the band since their sets were a third of the length, and they’re definitely not going anywhere.

As well as the showmanship, the musicianship of the band is clear. The Turning have got past the stage of a set dominated by covers, and instead wooh the crowd entirely down to their own songwriting skills. For songs like ‘Magazine Street’ and others on their mini-album, the crowd wasn’t hesitant to sing along, while others like ‘How To Play The Game’ prompted them to dance. Whether they know the words or not, their enthusiasm remains unfaltering.

Finishing with ‘Stand Clear Of My Mind’ to shouts of “WE WANT MORE”, The Turning reluctantly – despite looking rather knackered – leave the stage. In spite of the fact that the majority of the crowd probably had curfews before the band even started playing, no one was in any rush to leave, all eager for the band to play more. Whilst they were disappointed this time, The Turning aren’t likely to stop gigging any time soon.