Turnstile Make Saturday Night Live Debut As Hardcore Returns to Show

Baltimore hardcore group Turnstile made their debut performance as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on October 3, 2026. Pitchfork and Consequence both reported that the performance made Turnstile the first hardcore band to play on the late-night sketch comedy show in 45 years. NME reported that Dakota Johnson hosted the second episode of the show's 52nd season. [1][2][4]

The band opened their set with the track BIRDS, followed later by a medley of I CARE and DULL. NME and Rolling Stone both reported that all three songs come from the group's Grammy-winning fourth album Never Enough, while Rolling Stone added that BIRDS previously won Best Metal Performance at the Grammy Awards in February. [2][3][4]

According to Pitchfork, the episode also featured a surprise appearance by Taylor Swift during Dakota Johnson's monologue. Turnstile consists of lead vocalist Brendan Yates, guitarists Pat McCrory and Meg Mills, bassist Franz Lyons, and drummer Daniel Fang. [1][14]

Rolling Stone reported that the late-night appearance came the night after Turnstile performed at the Austin City Limits festival, following the release of a reimagined version of Never Enough in August. [3]