Frank Turner’s 3000th Show: A Celebration of the House Built on Blood, Sweat, and Vinyl!
After battling through London traffic and getting stuck in endless queues, and a hiccup with my photo pass at security, I arrived just in time to miss the first support act of the night, The Meffs. They’re a band that I was super excited to see for this evening. Disappointed, sure, but the anticipation for what was to come was building.
Having seen Frank Turner 16 times before (my first being show 1286), I thought I knew exactly how the night would play out. But this time was different. Ten thousand fans packed into the iconic Alexandra Palace, celebrating not just 3000 shows, but the shared meaning behind them. Over two decades, Frank has kept a personal connection with his fans—whether that’s through responding to emails (yes, it’s really him behind those messages), or chatting with fans after shows. It’s these genuine interactions along with his honest lyrics and unique ability to sing about how you once felt that have fostered such a dedicated, loyal fanbase.
For me, Frank Turner’s music has been a soundtrack to countless memories, good and bad so being there, surrounded by so many like-minded people who’ve experienced the same highs and lows through his songs, made this night unforgettable.
Anyway, back to the show! The Lottery Winners took to the stage first, and it’s obvious these guys and girls are going to be huge! If you don’t know them by now, it won’t be long until you do! The Lottery Winners have had a whirlwind couple of years, including a number 1 album, a tour with Nickelback, and now supporting Frank Turner for Show #3000! Their set was fun, energetic, and addictive. The perfect choice of supporting act. They’ve been on repeat at my place since the show. The standout moment for me was “Turn Around,” where they had what seemed like the entire crowd following a dance routine—including some of the photographers and press in the pit (myself included!). I think it is clear that The Lottery Winners could have played for the rest of the evening as the headline act and it wouldn’t have felt out of place.
During the intermission, I wanted to grab a beer and a t-shirt but it felt like there were more than 10,000 people in the queue. But, despite the chaos, the anticipation was undeniable and as soon as Frank and his band hit the stage, everything else faded into the background.
Then, it was time. Frank Turner stepped onto the stage for show number 3000, a somewhat ridiculous, awe-inspiring feat of endurance, especially for a man who plays every gig like it’s his last. The show started with a counter on the screen, counting up from 0 to 3000 to signify the importance of every show leading up to tonight. As the counter hit 3000, Frank Turner took the stage and kicked things off solo with “The Ballad of Me and My Friends,” before jumping straight into “I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous”—my personal favourite. Somehow, just a man and his acoustic guitar filled the entire room, and it felt like the crowd erupted. The Sleeping Souls took the stage, joining Frank Turner for a crowd favourite, “I Still Believe,” before launching into “Do One.” Between the two songs, Frank took a moment to remind us of the two golden rules of every show: 1) Don’t be a dickhead, and 2) If you know the words, sing along. This is one of the reasons a Frank Turner show is an inclusive and safe space for all.
I think this is a good time to give a special mention to The Sleeping Souls. The band is formed of Ben Lloyd on guitar and electric mandolin, Matt Nasir on keys, Tarrant Anderson on bass (recently trusted with a microphone!), and the newest member, Callum Green on drums. A musically gifted, high-energy asset to the show. Whilst most of the band had played arena shows before with Frank, it was noted that this was Callum’s biggest headline set to date- although, during some on-stage banter between songs, we did learn that he did once open for Sting!
The setlist for tonight was 25 songs strong and included songs that spanned Frank Turner's long career, from earlier tracks such as “I am Disappeared” and “Try this at Home” to more recent songs from “Undefeated”, his latest album.
A standout moment for me was “Somewhere Inbetween,” a song that resonates deeply with me. The song is about finding your place in the world, navigating the space between who you were, who you are, and who you want to become. It’s a beautiful reflection on those moments in life when you feel lost or uncertain but also hopeful that you’re moving in the right direction. In the context of this milestone show, it felt even more poignant, as it’s a perfect representation of Frank’s journey over the last two decades—constantly evolving, always searching, but never losing sight of the things that matter most.
Next came three solo songs: “The Road,” “Long Live The Queen,” and “Be More Kind.” Each of these songs carries its own weight and message. “The Road” always hits hard, with its reflection on life’s unpredictability and the journey we all go on. “Long Live The Queen”, dedicated to a fan named Daisy who had sadly lost her life to cancer, had an anthemic, bittersweet quality, capturing both the fragility and strength of those who have shaped us. And then “Be More Kind”—a message that feels more relevant than ever, a call for compassion and understanding in a world that sometimes feels overwhelmed by division. Hearing them in this setting, solo, felt intimate yet powerful with a mix of the crowd singing along or taking a moment of reflection amongst a sea of lights from 10,000 phones.
The main set wrapped up with “Photosynthesis,” a true anthem of empowerment to really live life. The crowd was electric, singing every word with a passion that made it feel like a collective declaration of defiance. Whilst this was the last song in the main set, it was clear that the crowd wanted more!
The encore comprised four songs: “Undefeated”, “Polaroid Picture”, “Get Better,” and “Four Simple Words.” It felt like a final celebration, one that was more than earned. By the time “Four Simple Words” hit, Ally Pally had its roof torn off! The crowd throughout the night was electric, enthusiastic and fully committed, taking on their role as backing singers with unrelenting energy.
Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls are one of the best, if not the best, bands I have had the pleasure of seeing live. Every show is a 10/10 in effort and energy but, somehow, they had even more to give. Here is to the next 3000 shows!
A Hangover You Definitely Deserve: Bowling For Soup’s 20th Anniversary Bash
A Hangover You Don’t Deserve? For many fans, it might have felt well-earned after Bowling For Soup’s unforgettable 20th-anniversary show. But we will come back to that shortly.
Arriving at The Civic Hall in Wolverhampton, the air buzzed with nostalgia and excitement as fans of all ages—many sporting vintage Bowling For Soup tees—lined up to relive their pop-punk glory days. The queue stretched on endlessly, winding through the streets like a pop-punk pilgrimage—fans clearly weren’t about to miss their chance to celebrate with their favourite Texans.
Fans braved the long wait to see a stacked lineup featuring rising stars Magnolia Park, the ever-energetic Jon Mahon, nostalgic icons Wheatus, and, of course, the headliners—Bowling For Soup.
Opening the night with an electrifying set, Magnolia Park brought an infectious energy that immediately set the tone for the evening. Kicking things off with “Misfits,” the band made it clear they weren’t here to warm up the crowd—they were here to make a statement. Their blend of pop-punk and rock kept the energy high as they tore through fan favourites like “Do or Die” and “Crave.”
As they closed their set with the high-energy duo of “Shallow” and “Animal,” the band left the stage to applause, proving they’re not just an opening act.
Hyping up the crowd during the short changeovers was Jon Mahon, and let me tell you—he absolutely smashed it. A DJ who knows how to get the crowd fired up, Jon was on point from the moment he took the stage. A seasoned DJ from Kerrang, Jon took the chance to let us know that this was his "hometown" gig. Well, kind of—he’s actually from Walsall, but let’s not get bogged down with the details, right?
There was also a nice surprise when Jon dropped his own single, “You Got This.” The track was upbeat and instantly catchy, and you could see the crowd dancing along with him. Jon’s not just there to fill the space between acts—he’s genuinely adding to the already incredible line-up.
Next up, we had Wheatus, and if you thought they were just one-hit wonders, think again. These guys came out punching with a killer cover of "Growing on Me" by The Darkness, and the atmosphere in the room was instantly cranked up to 11. Then they hit us with our favourite cover of Erasure’s “A Little Respect,” and honestly, it was like they just casually said, "Yeah, we can do that too." The crowd? Absolutely loving it. This was of no surprise of course being one of their most successful singles.
But let’s be real—everyone knew what was coming next, and when they launched into “Teenage Dirtbag,” the place lost its mind. The entire crowd belted out the chorus like we were all in a 90s teen movie, and honestly, who could blame us? It’s a classic, and Wheatus absolutely nailed it.
And then, the moment we’d all been waiting for: the Bowling For Soup boys took the stage. But before they even appeared, we were treated to a loading screen that dragged on just long enough to get the anticipation building. Classic move, right? Finally, the three-piece (now down a member with Chris Burney retired) walked on stage to the roar of the crowd.
They kicked things off by blasting through “Almost” and “Trucker Hat” back-to-back without a pause. The crowd was loving it, singing along like it was 2004. After that high-energy start, they finally took a break to chat, and as usual, Bowling For Soup knew how to entertain the crowd with their signature banter. And then, bam—“1985” hit. It was like the entire crowd was transported right back to the mid-2000s with an eruption of confetti. Jaret Reddick admits that this would be the earliest in the set this song would be played, thanks to Rob Felicetti insisting the album be played in order.
From there, the set flowed seamlessly with more classics from A Hangover You Don’t Deserve, including fan favourites like “Ohio (Come Back to Texas)” and “Ridiculous.” The band kept the crowd engaged with banter and one-liners, which is the secret sauce to their live shows. It’s never just about the music—it’s about the connection they have with the audience and their fans. Whether it was Reddick bantering with Wiseman about now having a microphone or the ever-present wit from Felicetti, you knew it was all part of the package that made this show stand out.
And just when you thought the night couldn’t get any better, they pulled a fan up on stage for a spin of the wheel, landing on “The Bitch Song.” The crowd went wild, and the lucky fan, Mason, soaked in the glory like a true rock star, even getting a bundle of goodies from the band.
They wrapped up the main set with “Two-Seater” and a heartfelt dedication to Chris Burney with “Friends O’ Mine.” But this wasn’t just another show—it was a celebration of the band’s legacy and their deep connection to their fans.
As if we hadn’t had enough, the encore hit us with the “Phineas and Ferb Theme” (yes, you read that right) and the anthem that never gets old: “Girl All the Bad Guys Want.” By the end of it all, everyone in that venue had one thing on their mind: maybe this is a hangover I deserve, but maybe it’s totally worth it.
Bowling For Soup never fail to deliver, and this show was a reminder of why they've been around for so long and still pack out venues. They know how to make you laugh, make you sing, and most importantly, leave with a smile.
Dayseeker and rain City drive storm Birmingham
Written for Music Scene Media
Firstly, what a night! Storm Darragh disrupts the city of Birmingham, but it isn't the only storm that would hit the o2 Institute. Heart of Gold, Rain City Drive, and Dayseekerwould make this a night to remember.
The evening started with Michael McGough's project, Heart of Gold, which is a distinctively different sound to those who are fans of Being As An Ocean would expect. Their set list was both energetic and uplifting, opening with "Stranger (To Your Love)" which was driven by lush synth and clean vocals.
Rain City Drive is a band I’m no stranger to. This was my first time seeing the band live, and they did not disappoint. With all five members taking stage, they kicked things off with their late 2023 single: “Frozen.” A softer ballad, "Frozen" immediately displays Matt McAndrew's dynamic vocal range. "Frozen" itself may not be the punchiest song on the new album but it more than makes up for it with its infectious melody — the kind that has been playing in my head since Saturday.
The band reverted to a fan favourite for the second song, "Prayers", before playing another new song, "Over Me", which I think is one of the best songs on their new album, Things Are Different Now. By now, the crowd are well and truly energised.
One of my favourite moments of the night followed soon after when Dayseeker front-man Rory Rodriguez joined McAndrew onstage for a performance of their new track, "Medicate Me". I doubt there was a single person in the crowd not singing along.
Rain City Drive finish their incredible set with "Talk to a Friend" and it did not disappoint, delivering a powerful performance with lead singer McAndrew jumping off stage and high-fiving everyone on the barrier.
A truly brilliant performance by Rain City Drive which left me thinking they were more a co-headliner than a support act.
Dayseeker took the stage at 21:30 with a dramatic countdown then quickly erupting into "Dreamstate" with lead singer Rory Rodriguez screaming the opening note, instantly winning the crowd. This was also my first time seeing Dayseeker and wow. I can see how they've exploded in popularity.
The band kept up the energy with their second song "Crooked Soul" where, amongst heavy breakdowns, Rodriguez's incredible vocals take over. I was amazed with howRodriguez could switch from pitch perfect singing to screaming seamlessly.
The crowd's energy was kept high, with songs such as "Burial Plot", "Homesick," and "Without Me". I've been in some crowds in my time but, Birmingham, you absolutely fucking delivered.
My favourite moment of the night was soon approaching, with Dayseeker covering one of my all time favourite songs from 20 years ago: "My Immortal" by 'Evanescence'. An emotional cover with the lights dimmed and the crowd joining in with every word.
Dayseeker closed their set with “Neon Grave,” kicking off with a melodic guitar riff that was instantly recognisable. The crowd erupted, singing along at the top of their lungs and throwing down one last time during the crushing breakdown in the middle of the track!
Dayseeker continue their UK dates with Glasgow, Manchester, London and Dublin being their last dates on their 12 date European tour.