Frank Turner / Tim Barry / Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun

What a year 2012 has been for Frank Turner. The former Million Dead man has seen his solo career hit new heights. April saw Turner sell out Wembley Arena and in July his music reached millions of ears when he warmed the crowd up at the Olympic Opening Ceremony. This year has also seen him take in show across Europe, America and Australia, as well as the likes of V Festival. Now he is back on home soil and is currently embarking on a lengthy UK tour which sees most venues sold out.



Tonight that tour stopped off at the UEA LCR in Norwich. Opening on this tour are Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun, and tonight found them in good form. Jim Lockey and his three-piece group got the crowd onside early with their brand of folk rock; it was a top set from this great little group. Songs such as 'Wishing Well' were spot on and got the night off to a decent start.



Tim Barry occupied the second support slot tonight and kept things rolling along nicely. Barry and his guitar serenaded the audience with tales of his home. Coming from Richmond, Virginia these tales portrayed him as a somewhat stereotypical Southern American, something that he was happy to admit. Barry started his short set off with an entertaining song about a friend of his that's in prison with a surprising end to the tale. From that first song onwards he had the crowd in the palm of his hand and he surely won over a few hundred new fans tonight.

Following these two top acts was our headliner. Now, I must admit that I'm relatively new to the whole Frank Turner phenomenon. I stumbled across the video to 'The Road' on a well known video website and I was soon hooked. It's because of this that 'The Road' was a clear and obvious highlight in a set packed with clear if maybe unobvious highlights.



Turner is backed by The Sleeping Souls and they are a fantastic bunch of musicians that complement Turner with perfection. Together they have played hundreds, maybe even thousands, of shows all over the world and they have perfected their craft. From the opening trio of 'I Am Disappeared', 'The Road' and 'One Foot Before The Other', you knew that you were in for a good night.

Turner appeared at home onstage tonight and reminisced on his history with Norwich, stating that he feels there was a part of his life spent at the now deceased Ferryboat venue, before airing 'Wessex Boy'. Turner kept the crowd interactive throughout the show, be it singing along, clapping along or showing off their best dance moves during new song 'Four Simple Words'. 'Four Simple Words' was one of a couple of new songs played tonight and it showed great potential as a future set staple.

Turner has an ever growing catalogue of songs to choose from dating back many years. Most of the set list tonight was taken from across his four studio albums 'Sleep Is For The Week', 'Love Ire & Song', 'Poetry Of The Deed' and last year's 'England Keep My Bones'. However there was a place for 'Hold Your Tongue' tonight following an email request by a fan. Turner is after all it seems, all about the fans.



Tonight Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls proved that they are a formidable live act. The fans soaked up every song and every drop of sweat from the perspiring Turner. Leaving the stage following a stunning rendition of 'I Still Believe', the fans were left desperate for more. Of course Turner answered these cries and returned for an encore of 'If Ever I Stray' and 'Photosynthesis'.

On a night like this it is easy to forget that Turner made his name performing in hardcore band Million Dead and more recently with his new group Mongol Horde. But he channelled his inner hardcore for a rousing performance of 'Dan's Song', which saw Turner jump into the crowd to close the evening in style. I leave you with a quote from 'Four Simple Words', "...somebody who told me that music with guitars was going out of fashion and I had to laugh...".

FUTURE GIGS