Playing to a sold-out bar in Manchester, Frank Turner put on an intimate solo gig at Night & Day, blending older material with some previews of his new album.
Singer-songwriter Ben Marwood opened the show with a solid set that suggests some big things for him in the future. He was followed by Franz Nicolay, whose unique accordion-backed folk was well-received by the audience.
Eventually, it was time for Frank Turner to take to the stage, without the backing of his band (now called The Sleeping Souls). Starting off with 'I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous', Turner launched into a brilliant set covering all of his studio albums to date, including his upcoming forth album.
Turner’s rapport with the crowd really added to the atmosphere. Whilst introducing a new a cappela song 'English Curse', he joked that it was about events from thousands of years ago 'when I was still young and good looking'.
As someone shouted back that he still is attractive, Frank quickly responded that they should’ve gone to Specsavers.
It was an intimate show that brought everyone in and kept them involved, even featuring a surreal moment of everyone playing the Air Harmonica during 'Dan’s Song'.
Staples of Turner’s live set, like 'Long Live The Queen', 'The Road' and 'Love, Ire & Song', seemed to be given new life in this intimate, solo setting. Frank’s shows have never just been about one man and his band playing songs at a quiet, appreciative crowd.
The packed-out crowd sung back every single word, as if the songs were as much theirs as Turner’s. The set was mostly what you’d expect, but a few nice surprises made the evening special, including a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s 'Thunder Road' and Turner’s own 'To Take You Home'.
Frank also gave brilliant performances of some new material, including new single 'Peggy Sang The Blues'. He also put in fantastic performances of 'I Am Disappeared' and 'Nights Become Days', both received well.
As the set neared its end, Frank explained that, if he was a typical rock star, he would go off stage, take cocaine off a supermodel, then come back on for an encore. However, he had no cocaine, no supermodel and is 'not an arsehole'.
For the encore, he welcomed back Marwood to perform a beautiful rendition of The Postal Service’s 'The District Sleeps Alone Tonight'.
Even a string snapping midway through 'Photosynthesis' couldn’t damper the spirits of the crowd and Frank Turner, who handled the mishap well, without losing any energy from himself and those in attendance.
The show was brought to a moving and incredible conclusion with 'The Ballad of Me and My Friends', with Frank abandoning the microphone for his performance.
The sound of around 150 people, and Frank Turner, singing the words in complete unison was a stunning moment and proved Frank really doesn’t consider there to be a divide between himself and those who enjoy his music.
This was clear from tonight’s gig, a brilliant night that showed how special Frank Turner is as a live performer. The venue was incredibly hot, but the energy from the stage and the floor made this a very special night for everyone in attendance.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge
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