Frank Turner (Royal Albert Hall, 29/03/15)
Last night I went to the Royal Albert Hall for the first time to see Frank Turner headline the last of this year's gigs in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. The arena standing at the Royal Albert Hall is actually relatively small, with the stage closer than you would anticipate. But if you look to your left or right, you see 6 tiers of seating and standing areas. The effect from the floor is that the gig seems both curiously intimate and unfathomably vast.
Opening the show with a 15 minute set was singer-songwriter Will Varley. Despite the short stage time, it's a memorable set with Varley's strong vocals commanding the arena. He's something of a protest singer, ending with an almost comedic song featuring David Cameron, Nick Clegg, the GameBoy Advance and a promise of riches from a faraway prince. Intriguing enough to warrant further investigation, I reckon.
I was aware of Idlewild's position in the indie rock pantheon but unfamiliar with their music. Their set was heavier than I had anticipated and none the worse for it. It's another set that's over far too soon, but ends in rousing fashion with the enormous sounding "In Remote Part/Scottish Fiction". My list of music to check out grows longer and longer.
I've seen Frank Turner so many times that I know the beats of his live shows by rote. But what a live show it is. It's another 100 minutes of an audience having a joyous, uninhibited good time. All of his life affirming rock hits are present and correct: "Reasons Not To Be An Idiot", "The Road", "Photosynthesis", "If Ever I Stray" etc. But he also throws a few bones to the hardcore old school fans (i.e me) in a captivating solo section, featuring "Eva Mae" (a tribute to his goddaughter in the crowd) and "Balthazar Impresario" (RAH providing a fitting backdrop for a song about the demise of the music hall).
We're also treating to a smattering of material from Turner's upcoming sixth full length record, with the recently released "Get Better" seeing Frank strap on an electric guitar on stage for the first time. If his previous record "Tape Deck Heart" was about breaking up, this one appears to be about getting back on your feet. I can't wait.
Towards the end, a rendition of "Long Live The Queen" carries additional poignancy, concerning a friend lost to cancer. The night concludes with a rousing performance of "I Still Believe". "Who would have thought that rock and roll would save us all?" Turner asks, delivered with such sincerity to silence even my inner cynic.
Regarding his success, Frank said once that if it all went away, he'd go back to playing The Railway Tavern in Winchester. On tonight's evidence, that day seems an awfully long way off.
Opening the show with a 15 minute set was singer-songwriter Will Varley. Despite the short stage time, it's a memorable set with Varley's strong vocals commanding the arena. He's something of a protest singer, ending with an almost comedic song featuring David Cameron, Nick Clegg, the GameBoy Advance and a promise of riches from a faraway prince. Intriguing enough to warrant further investigation, I reckon.
I was aware of Idlewild's position in the indie rock pantheon but unfamiliar with their music. Their set was heavier than I had anticipated and none the worse for it. It's another set that's over far too soon, but ends in rousing fashion with the enormous sounding "In Remote Part/Scottish Fiction". My list of music to check out grows longer and longer.
I've seen Frank Turner so many times that I know the beats of his live shows by rote. But what a live show it is. It's another 100 minutes of an audience having a joyous, uninhibited good time. All of his life affirming rock hits are present and correct: "Reasons Not To Be An Idiot", "The Road", "Photosynthesis", "If Ever I Stray" etc. But he also throws a few bones to the hardcore old school fans (i.e me) in a captivating solo section, featuring "Eva Mae" (a tribute to his goddaughter in the crowd) and "Balthazar Impresario" (RAH providing a fitting backdrop for a song about the demise of the music hall).
We're also treating to a smattering of material from Turner's upcoming sixth full length record, with the recently released "Get Better" seeing Frank strap on an electric guitar on stage for the first time. If his previous record "Tape Deck Heart" was about breaking up, this one appears to be about getting back on your feet. I can't wait.
Towards the end, a rendition of "Long Live The Queen" carries additional poignancy, concerning a friend lost to cancer. The night concludes with a rousing performance of "I Still Believe". "Who would have thought that rock and roll would save us all?" Turner asks, delivered with such sincerity to silence even my inner cynic.
Regarding his success, Frank said once that if it all went away, he'd go back to playing The Railway Tavern in Winchester. On tonight's evidence, that day seems an awfully long way off.
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