Frank Turner at Shepherd’s Bush Empire for BRITs Week War Child 2023

For the first time in a decade, Frank Turner performs his entire Tape Deck Heart album, which includes the artist’s most played song on Spotify titled Recovery, an energetic, heartfelt number about realising you have a problem following a breakup and looking ahead at the journey to recovery that, at this moment, still feels far away.

This one-off gig performed by the English punk-turned-folk singer-songwriter and The Sleeping Souls is part of indie label Xtra Mile Recordings’ 20^th-anniversary celebrations at Shepherd’s Bush Empire. The whole show is centred around highlighting the idea that Xtra Mile Records is a family-style business that takes care of and invests in its talent for the long haul. The performance is also part of the BRITS Week War Child fundraiser, which is seeking to raise money for children affected by war around the world.

Turner jigs around with his guitar, belting out the song against a foggy blue backdrop, with multi-moving spotlights jumping back and forth across the stage floor. The colour blue is prominent in this set, with a simple but visually engaging and well-timed lighting display during the first few songs, while spotlights thump in the background and zoom around the stage in time to the drumbeat of Plain Sailing Weather. Later, soft red and yellow lights move along with Polaroid Picture, and royal blues illuminate the stage throughout Oh Brother. The stage set is straightforward but effective, not needing to try too hard and intended to complement rather than distract from the music.

The artist injects his personable and authentic personality into the show. He’s casual and intimate with the audience, at one point asking what the name of the next song is, then asking the audience for support, as many of these tracks have not been performed in a long time, and telling his story with Xtra Mile Recordings with self-deprecating humour. His persona matches his music: he is down to earth and seems very grounded, as he openly discusses his own shortcomings. The way he talks about his ex before performing the bittersweet Anymore, with respect and accountability, is pretty inspiring. Turner is also passionate about raising a cheer for the support acts, and tells us anecdotes spattered with swear words, creating the feeling of having a conversation with a slightly over-talkative friend.

His voice is strong and lyrical, with bursts of softness and anger, and the songs range from acoustic guitar ballads such as Good & Gone to the faster, more upbeat (and surprisingly joyful, considering the subject of age and anxiety) Losing Days. This is a versatile evening, which avoids sticking to one emotion or note. The audience seems to be mostly long-standing fans of Turner, many of whom may themselves be accepting that they are “starting to get old” but are refusing to grow up. The show is a delight for such seasoned fans of the singer, who plays most of the tracks you’d want to have the opportunity to sing along to.

Sophia Moss
Photos: Patrick Gunning

Frank Turner performed as part of BRITs Week presented by Mastercard for War Child 2023. For further information on Frank Turner and future events visit here.

Watch the video for the single Recovery here: