Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls - Wolverhampton 2012

Writing a review for possibly the most anticipated gig of your life, has proven to be no easy task. Listening to your favourite CD’s, and then hearing those songs played live a few hours later is a bizarre, yet wonderful experience. My excitement levels prior (several days prior) and throughout the show were through the roof, the kind of feeling where everything seems a little bit blurry afterwards, but you know you had a fantastic time. This makes writing a detailed or completely accurate account of the show slightly difficult, but I really don’t care. I don’t think I could have had a better evening, even if the entire building was made of Dairy Milk and the bar was free! (A little insight into my life, there.)

I can’t pretend I’m writing a review for an artist I’ve only just discovered, or try to balance out the positives with negatives (There are none, it’s just not possible...).  It is no secret that I’m a bit of a Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls enthusiast, no other music has such a calming or positive influence on my life. I’ll forever be grateful to the person that decided to put a copy of Love Ire and Song in the Northampton branch of HMV! Listening to Frank albums tends to trigger a mutter of ‘oh god, not that again’ from my family. That’s not a reflection on the music I hasten to add, just the volume of air time I give those CD’s!

The support bands, first Jim Lockey & the Solemn Sun and then the seriously talented Tim Barry provided a great start to the evening. JL&SS got the audience really ready for the show, they were clearly so enjoying what they were doing, it seemed to transfer to the crowd. Sometimes when you don’t know songs, it makes it a bit more difficult to enjoy a set, but this wasn’t the case. At risk of sounding like an elderly person, I noticed that they were very ‘trendily’ dressed – like a better looking Mumford & Sons! I hope they continue to become increasingly successful.

Tim Barry played one of the most fantastic sets I’ve heard this year – I was genuinely transfixed by his story-telling lyrics from the first song. I haven’t been that stop-dead surprised since I first heard a Frank song. His lyrics are meaningful and insightful, yet give you a sense of positivity and hope. His speech about the first time he met Frank created a personal connection with the audience – people could relate to his admiration, but it also gave the smallest of insights into his life. I wish more musicians could be this honest on stage – it seemed like you were seeing a real person, rather than a stage persona they wanted you to see. I don’t know why this guy isn’t internationally acclaimed already – I know I’d rather listen to his songs than most of the ‘successful’ Top 40 ones at the moment! (Little Mix bring me out in a rash). I’m pretty sure he’s gained thousand of new fans on this tour alone!

Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls were just as brilliant as I thought they’d be. I felt like the set list was made up of everyone’s favourite songs, and the buzz in the atmosphere was awesome. The time flew by, yet it felt like so much had happened. I’ve noticed it before, but even more so at a show – Frank has a seriously devoted group of followers. Without fail, everyone was clearly so happy to be there. I’ve seen more live bands than I can count, but not one has fans with that level of faith in the words of someone else. Of course, I’m in no way saying that it has any kind of religious element, but for people perhaps not convinced by the presence of a greater being, it’s important to have something to relate to and believe in. Frank’s music definitely appeals to good people – I have spoken to so many new people, simply because of a common interest in music. Unlike many gigs, there wasn’t hesitation when talking (though to be honest, that might have been the Believe beer...).

A Decent Cup of Tea was a surprise to hear, it unexpectedly made me cry. It’s the kind of song you listen to when you’re low, more of a private song in some ways. Hearing something like that that holds so much meaning was gut-wrenching but wonderful. Getting emotional about a song is something I suppose you should embarrassed by (especially when you were right at the front), but I’m really not. I think that’s the point of Frank’s lyrics, especially A Decent Cup of Tea. They get to you, they’re though-provoking – being affected by them is a reflection of how well-written they are.,

They had an incredible energy from start to finish – it honestly seems like they put everything they possibly have into each show. They looked utterly exhausted by the end.. Though Frank looked the same as he did before the show, just half an hour after it seemed he might sweat to death. Miraculous! 

I can't think of any musicians that are this successful, who are still happy to sign tickets (or arms in my case), and take pictures. They are incredibly likeable, which makes for an even better show. It’s refreshing that there is so little divide between musicians and audience, there’s a real sense that that’s how music should be – how life should be, even. They’re crushing a little part of the incredibly irritating part of celebrity culture – I think that’s bloody brilliant. 

This was my first Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls gig, and it certainly won’t be my last. In fact I’m travelling all the way down to Southampton next week, I loved it so much! If you get the chance to go to a show, do. I promise you, you won’t regret it! 

And to finish, here is a completely ridiculous photograph. I might sound all calm and collected now, but I think we can agree that this says otherwise of last night...