Flipturn
Flipturn
Live at Fremont Theater - 8/15
Review & Photos by Bailey Mocerino
Cover Art by Dylan Helman
Flipturn, the Florida-based indie rock powerhouse, brought their sun-soaked sound to the historic Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, California on Friday, August 15th. Their opener, Sun Room, warmed up the stage with their surf-rock energy and earned plenty of love from the crowd, and the theater’s vintage charm made for the perfect backdrop for the night. With attendees buzzing with anticipation, it felt like a shared space where strangers quickly became a community.
Flipturn's lineup includes Dillon Basse (vocals, guitar), Tristan Duncan (lead guitar), Mitch Fountain (keys/synth), Madeline Jaffe (bass), and Devon VonBalson (drums). They are a group of incredibly talented musicians who thrive off each other’s energy both musically and physically, and it shows in every note.
They kicked off their set with “Juno”, perfect intro to the band’s overall sound. From there, the set showcased their variety and depth, with highlights from their new album Burnout Day.
Tracks like “Inner Wave”, “Swim Between Trees”, and “Rodeo Clown” already felt like fan favorites, with the crowd joining in with no hesitation. Nevertheless, there was one clear winner for the night. When “August” hit fans' ears, the entire room lit up like a switch had been flipped. It was a hive-mind moment, heightened by their invitation to the crowd to belt the iconic chorus line. The energy was electric, and as Flipturn moved effortlessly between soulful tracks and high-energy anthems, they kept the crowd on their toes and never once lost momentum.
Flipturn has been making music together since 2015, and this stop in the tour felt like a marker in Flipturn’s growth as a band. The way they command a stage makes them feel seasoned beyond their years. They’ve been gaining a large amount of traction during their 2025 tour, and nights like their SLO stop prove they are riding the wave straight to the top.
The chemistry between members was undeniable, as they bounced around and jammed together, feeding off each other's energy in real time. Though their setlist offered an abundance of variety, the band’s electric delivery of every song remained consistent. Flipturn stayed sharp and energetic through to the encore, and the crowd mirrored it back tenfold, matching every shout, clap, and sway.
Flipturn’s Fremont Theatre show was proof as to why live music matters. It was a shared experience for all who attended, from the collective singalong of “August” to the sweaty catharsis of the closing tracks, the band created something that lingered far after the lights cut out.
Review & Photos by Bailey Mocerino
Cover Art by Dylan Helman