FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS // THE GARAGE, GLASGOW
FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S GARAGE
★★★★★ (5/5)
FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S GARAGE
PHOTOCREDIT: PAUL STORR
Kicking the night off we have Ben Brown, who takes to the stage in a purple kilt.
With his light hearted yet catchy acoustic songs, he is a perfect choice of opener for tonight's show.
Ben Brown also manages to loop light comedy in to his set, making remarks about how the air conditioning unit in The Garage is louder than he is (it really is!) but taking it all in his stride and giving a fantastic set.
Stand outs are "Kathmandu" and "Blue" from his new EP "Blue" - produced by the one and only Frank Turner.
Up next we have main support The Meffs, a 2 piece punk outfit from Essex.
As soon as they take to the stage you can feel their energy take over the room.
We get a mix of their well-known tracks and newer material, each song delivering a powerful message through blistering guitar riffs and intense drumming. The crowd respond enthusiastically to every song, creating an atmosphere of unity and shared energy.
Highlights of their set come in "Wasted on Women" - where guitarist Lily tells us the song is written about the time they were outside a bar and someone told them "you're wasted on women" to which they retorted "you're wasted on humanity" and "Budget Luxury" which has the full crowd down on the floor and bouncing back up again on drummer Lewis's signal.
Headliner Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls take to the stage and launch in to "No Thank You For The Music" and "Girl From The Record Shop" from newly released album "Undefeated", causing the now full Garage to go absolutely insane.
We have a raucous version of "Get Better" before things are slowed down a bit for "If Ever I Stray" but this doesn't last long at all, as the band then launch in to the ever energetic "Try This At Home".
"A Wave Across A Bay" is dedicated to, and a song written for, the late great Scott Hutchison of Indie rock legends Frightened Rabbit. Scott was a dear friend of Frank's and you can tell the song is an emotional one for him to perform.
We now have the section of the show where it is just Frank Turner and his acoustic guitar. We get an outstanding and emotional cover of Frightened Rabbit's "The Modern Leper" along with fan favourites "Mittens" and "The Ballad Of Me And My Friends".
The Sleeping Souls are then back on stage for the slower "Show People" before things are kicked up a notch again with the double whammy of "1933" and "Non Serviam".
The main set is closed off with the absurdly catchy "Do One", "Never Mind The Back Problems" and "Photosynthesis".
It's not long though before the band are back out for an encore of "Undefeated", "Recovery", "I Still Believe" (which features Lily from The Meffs on harmonica) and "Four Simple Words" during which Frank throws himself on top of the crowd.
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls are an outstanding band, and one you should definitely see if you get the chance!
