Frank Turner
Manchester
Night And Day Café
28th January 2015
First gig of the year for me this one couldn't have been a better way to start my gigging calendar. Although I was suffering with my nerves big time before we got to Manchester they soon eased when we reached the Night And Day Cafe. I'd never been there before and had no idea what to expect from it really. I'd heard that it was small so I just pictured something like my local venue Central Station, Wrexham. It was even smaller than i expected but looked so cool, I was very happy with the venue!
We actually arrived at the Night and Day cafe very early, we had no idea how to judge the queue for this gig, I'd queued for 6 hours to see Frank last year but that was at Manchester Arena, slightly different situations. Anyway we got there and sat down after walking around Manchester in the nice cold weather for a while. There was a few fans already inside having a drink, which is always nice to see, I've met a fair few awesome people from getting to gigs early. We were sitting in the window of the place people watching (as you do) and Frank Turner walks passed the window and casually walks in the night and day cafe. I found this hilarious and surreal even though I've met him a couple of times before. We didn't bother him though just let him get on with it. A few minutes passed and this random guy, later to be a new friend called Frank (dog coffee) asked us and the other fans if we wanted to go to a pre gig gig in a little room in a pub down the road. We thought it'd be fun so why not!
We got to the pub and entered this tiny tiny room with a stage which can only be described as a step and watched as about 6 or 7 different artists played an acoustic set. I'd never heard of any of them however I'm always partial to listening to new music. I've even looked some of them up after the gig, Hugo Kensdale and Felix Hagan to be precise. I looked to my right during the last acoustic set and there was Frank listening and watching these guys! It was amazing to see that kind of support from everyone.
The pre gig gig finished and we headed on over back to the night and day cafe. We ended up second row in front of the stage and had an amazing view. It wasn't long before the first support act came on. Oxygen Thief this guy was called. I'd never heard of him before I must admit but I quite like what I'd heard and he seemed to get the crowds attention. Esme Patterson followed, I thought she was super talented but it just wasn't for me. Skinny Lister were the last support band, I thought these were the perfect support band. They got the crowd participating in songs and even passed out a little rum. One can't complain at that!
And now for the main event, Mr Frank Turner! This was my 6th time seeing Frank Turner but I'd never seen him at a small intimate venue where he didn't have the Sleeping Souls backing him up. As much as I love the Sleeping Souls (and I do) I thought it was just an incredible experience. Frank kicked off his set with If Ever I Stray. The crowd were unbelievably loud, I actually never thought so few people could male such noise. I honestly couldn't believe it. Most of my favourite songs were played during the 1.5 hour long set including; The Way I Tend To Be, Fathers Day and Try This At Home, actually thinking about it that list could go on. I was very happy that he put a couple of his new songs in the set as well. Get Better is already one of my favourite songs and it's not even released properly yet. It caught my attention when I heard it last year and this Wednesday reminded me of why. I look forward to the studio version of it which Frank said wasn't too far away from being released. Exciting stuff.
The second to last song was a cover of Tom Jones' Delilah. I must admit I never expected to be singing a Tom Jones song but everyone knows the lyrics to that song so why not sing it at the top of your lungs? And if you don't know the chorus at least..... Have you been living under a rock like Patrick star?
Frank finished his set with Ballad Of Me and My Friends. He let the crowd sing basically all of it. It was definitely one of those 'holy shit' moments. Frank came to the edge of the stage and was just playing guitar and watching everyone sing his song back to him.... And then he broke a string. Which is quite ironic because the first time I spoke to him he told me a string pinged when he supported Green Day in 2010, maybe it's me, maybe I'm a bad omen for strings.
As the room cleared after Frank left the stage we decided to sit down and cool down as we hoped we could to meet Frank again. We did which I was very pleased about as he his one of my idols. I definitely look up to this dude and can't wait until 1. The new song, Get Better. 2. The new album. And 3. Of course seeing him and the sleeping souls again.
He is such a genuine guy and always has time for the fans. He also supports Independent Venue Week which was what these gigs were in aid of. IVW is a very good cause I think. It helps the little venues that are struggling at the moment to get the support and backing they need to actually stay open and continue putting on shows. Afterall, every band has to start somewhere.
All in all absolute killer of a gig that came round at the right time.
