Frank Turner: Live @ Kerrang! Radio
The acoustic troubadour wows in front of a handful of fans. Check out our review, videos and photos here!
The past 12 months have been very busy for Frank Turner – he played the pre-show to the London Olympics opening ceremony, he headlined a date at a sold-out Wembley Arena and on Monday he released his fifth studio album Tape Deck Heart. So it’s no wonder that the Kerrang! Radio spotlight shines on the folk-punk troubadour this week.
To help us celebrate, he paid Kerrang! Radio headquarters a visit on Wednesday for an intimate acoustic set.
!In front of a crowd of no more than 40 beaming competition winners (the majority of whom are gladly clutching their copies of the new album), Frank took to the stage along with Matt Nasir of his backing band, The Sleeping Souls.
Mimicking the start of Tape Deck Heart, Frank and Matt opened with ‘Recovery’ and ‘Losing Days’, separated only by quick anecdotes and stories about the songs themselves. The pair also delivered a brief lesson on the mandolin – Matt’s choice of instrument for today’s show.
The banter between the pair, as well as their interaction with the crowd was both endearing and humorous, proving that Frank is still just as down-to-Earth as the next guy despite of his explosive rise to stardom over the past few years.
‘The Way I Tend To Be’ followed, which was both intricate and beautiful; in the musical breaks of the song, not a peep could be heard from the audience, which stood in hushed awe as Frank’s gentle vocals are underpinned by a stunning guitar/mandolin combo.
But this was the calm before the storm, as Frank ripped through classic fan favourites ‘If Ever I Stray’ and ‘Photosynthesis’. Both were delivered with all the aplomb and character of a man who knows how to play to and for an audience – no matter the size.
Despite the size limitations of today’s intimate stage – especially when compared to that of the Olympic Stadium – the duo’s performance never felt restrained, as the vocals were delivered with the same passion and soul that has come to be associated with his live shows.
Winding down with an “I won’t sit down, and I won’t shut up” call and response, Frank Turner wrapped up yet another rip-roaring gig and the smiles that were rife throughout the crowd are proof enough of what a stellar job he has done once again.
Frank played:
Recovery Losing Days The Way I Tend To Be If Ever I Stray Photosynthesis
Words: Jack Terry