Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls performing their Get Better Tour 2016 at Rock City Nottingham on Friday 9th December 2016


Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

After a career as lead vocalist for the post-hardcore band, Million Dead, Frank Turner now celebrates his eleventh year as an accomplished acoustic based solo artist, and although many inverted snobs make a deal of his education at Eton, there is no doubt that Turner is one of the most hard working artists on the circuit.

With last night being his 1994th gig at Rock City and his 2000th in a few days time, Turner brought his Sleeping Souls with him to entertain his incredibly loyal fan base who respond to his directness, inclusiveness and commitment to his performance and simple uplifting songs.

Right from the word go, Turner was no longer the awkward bloke with the acoustic guitar. With Ben Lloyd on guitar, Tarrant Anderson on bass, Matt Nasir on keyboards and Nigel Powell on drums, this performance was lapped up by this sold out crowd.

Rivalling Oasis for crowd singing, Turner was very impressive for a man who has never had a hit. With opener I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous, the crowd instantly drowned his voice out. Songs like Josephine, Polaroid Picture and Long Live The Queen were an ascending escalation of energy, whilst the crowd simply loved Tell Tale Signs.

The fans barely stopped moving until The Sleeping Souls disappeared and they were treated to three classic Turner songs played solo; Song For Eva Mae, St Christopher Is Coming Home and The Way I Tend To Be, delivered with a freshness and energy befitting of an artist at his first gig.

His between song banter was rapid and friendly and it was easy to see why he continues to attract an ever increasing number of fans. There was Photosynthesis with its Celtic vibe which induced a tremendous reaction from the crowd, and whilst he finished with Four Simple Words, he ended the night like any true idol would, leaving this Rock City crowd wanting more and trying to acquire tickets for the next time.