Torsdag 8.november 2024
Critically acclaimed English singer-songwriter Frank Turner, one of the hardest gigging musicians in the world, sold out John Dee in 2023, and once visited 50 US states in 50 days. He has played almost 3000 concerts. In 2024 he returned to Oslo, this time at Rockefeller, with the Sleeping Souls, to promote the album he released in May, «Undefeated».
Turner was formerly the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, but then embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career after the band split in 2005. His solo work of punk and folk songs has the savage honesty and rebellion of Billy Bragg mixed with hints of Dropkick Murphys and The Pogues. Given his considerable work schedule, it would be easy to expect Turner to conserve his strength for significant sections of his set, but from the moment he set foot on the Rockefeller stage and started singing «No Thank You for the Music» from his latest album, Turner delivered a set full of boundless energy. Even when speaking to the crowd, he swore and shouted with enthusiasm. It was a relentless, engaging performance that never stopped, and he encouraged the crowd to make circle pits and «go crazy», but reminded them to take care of each other if someone got hurt.
Turner also shared intensely personal stories with the audience. During the midset highlight «Miranda», he explained: «It’s a song about a relationship with my Dad, who I didn’t talk to for 10 years. My Dad came out as a transgender woman 7 years ago. We’re going to see each other this Christmas. It’s happy.» Someone in the crowd jeered, and Turner said «I couldn’t give a monkey’s FUCK about your opinion», and the crowd roared in support of him. He gave the band a break, a chance for the Sleeping Souls to sleep, and performed a few songs solo with his acoustic guitar, including «Balthazar, Impresario» and «Be More Kind», which he related to the recent US election. He said he was sad about what was going on, that he loved America, and that Americans deserved better. The clarity of his vocals during this part of the gig was outstanding.
The pace picked up again when the Sleeping Souls woke up, returned to the stage and performed «Ceasefire». Turner then asked the crowd to engage in a dress rehearsal singalong of «Do, do, do, do» from «Do One», the opening track of «Undefeated». He antagonised and teased them, saying the volume of their singing was «quieter than Denmark». The trick worked, as the singing was suddenly raucous (Take *that*, Denmark!).
The encore was explosive, and ended with «Four Simple Words» from his 2013 album, «Tape Deck Heart». It meandered between performance punk poetry and Turner screaming at the top of his lungs «I wanna dance!» repeatedly. This writer has never seen a Rockefeller crowd bounce so much with joy. After the energy expended in the venue, everyone will need some sleep. 5/6
Text and photography: Anne-Marie Forker
