Frank Turner is fresh-faced, fully charged and (importantly to the bigger picture) climbing on to Boom’s tiny stage on time as he prepares to play his third show already today, and its only 4pm. He’s attempting a world record for playing the most gigs in different cities in 24 hours to raise support and awareness of grassroots music venues. It’s a tall order which will take him from Liverpool to Southampton in a London e-taxi, a trip of roughly 500 miles, with a final show at noon tomorrow.
Leeds venue Boom is no stranger to the hard times many venues currently find themselves in and it’s a very welcomed roar that greets Frank Turner and his acoustic guitar from within the thick, dark walls of Boom’s main room. It’s going to be short and sweet, to meet the criteria of the record attempt he’ll need to play a set at least 20 minutes in length and his urgency to cram in as much as possible is abundantly clear. His new album (his 10th) was available to the world as of yesterday and Boom’s Saturday afternoon onlookers are already familiar with every track. ‘No Thank You For The Music’, ‘Girl From The Record Shop’ and ‘Letters’ all intertwined with typical Turner anecdotes. Mid-set, a fire alarm is activated, assured by Mr sound guy that there is no fire, he continues on.
A couple of oldies are thrown in and the volume goes up a notch for the ever-popular singalong of ‘Photosynthesis’. ‘Get Better’ precedes the last song for this third show of a hopeful fifteen with new album opener ‘Do One’. Genuine thankyou’s and support your local venue pleas as he exits, he’s straight into the waiting cab to scurry on to the next slot in about 90 minutes from now in Sheffield to do it all again. Then (hopefully) another eleven times before 12 noon tomorrow.
Words- Pete Jackson
(Frank Turner completed the world record attempt, ending the incredible 15 gigs in 24 hours at The Brook in Southampton).
Frank Turner official