Frank Turner, Oxford o2 Academy

Frank Turner

October 20th 2009

Tonight’s gig marks the halfway point of Frank Turner’s sixteen-date headline tour, and despite my expectations and friends’ best forewarnings, the type of local-boy-makes-good reception that Turner receives takes catches me by surprise. From the moment Turner takes the stage, the venue formerly known as the Zodiac echoes with the sort of frenzied girlish screams you’d associate with a ‘90s boy band comeback show. Obviously any Frank Turner appearance also comes complete with a large contingent of man-crush laden lad-fans, but regardless of his demographic, the dedicated following Turner has built over his years seems almost unparalleled.
First up though is friend of Turner’s, London based Beans On Toast, who staggers on stage with his trademark tiny guitar, and even tinier pupils. The instantly likeable haphazard nature of his songs and their performance keeps the audience attentive, even when his inane mid-song ramblings do go a little astray.

Florida locals Fake Problems stride into the spotlight soon after, and proceed to thrash away at their instruments, and consequently the crowd’s ears. Although they undoubtedly have their audience some place else, it seems odd to pair their unapologetic noise-rock with Turners pop sensibilities. (Also noteworthy: a bassist who breaks out the juggling balls mid-set does not necessarily equal a crowd-popular musician). Needless to say, the band didn’t inspire anything resembling the same cheery banter or response that their precursor did.

Nine-thirty on the dot, and Frank Turner steps out in front of his adoring crowd. His band is actually comprised of Oxford locals, and the show has long been a sell-out. It takes the well-spoken Eton-educated Turner all but twenty minutes to note his mum’s and guitarist Ben Lloyd’s dad’s presence in the assembled crowd. It’s this sort of down-to-earth regular guy persona that’s echoed in early crowd pleaser ‘Try This At Home’.

Turner’s speciality though, lies in his ability to whip up a sing-along at any given moment. Those moments did indeed present themselves, en masse, big hitters ‘Long Live The Queen’, ‘Reasons Not To Be An Idiot’, and ‘Photosynthesis’ providing the foundations.

Despite the energy behind the performance, obvious unity between band and audience, and all round good-time vibes, there’s a sort of predictable-ness behind Turner’s music that’s always kept me from becoming more than just a casual fan. As well as he does the quasi-political pop-rock thing; it’s nothing that we haven’t all heard before. If only we had more of the inspired thinking with which he transformed The Postal Service’s ‘The District Sleeps Alone Tonight’ from it’s glitch electronica original, into the touching folk ballad that he presented to the utterly hushed crowd tonight.

After almost ten years since forming punk outfit Million Dead, Turner’s reputation as songwriter and live performer is really starting to skyrocket. With his current tour including a stop at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire, and yet another UK tour already booked for next March, including a date at the yet larger Camden Roundhouse, it’s not long before Turner will be hearing his anthems sung back to him by thousands. And while I won’t be one of the screaming super fans clinging desperately to the front barrier, I know for certain my days with Turner are far from numbered.