As singer Frank Turner approaches two huge milestones- his 3000th show and the release of his upcoming tenth album ‘Undefeated’on May 3rd - he announced he will take on a unique challenge, the first ever Music Venue Trust world record attempt to play the most gigs in different cities in 24 hours, playing fifteen shows across the country from May 4th to May 5th.
The rules are simple, all 15 solo shows must run for at least 20 minutes in every location.
The previous (official) record is held by country singer Hunter Hayes with ten shows and before that it was rock band the Flaming Lips with eight.
Frank’s challenge will be raising awareness for a great cause, “We’re working with 13 independent record shops and 15 independent grassroots music venues for the shows, highlighting two bits of the infrastructure of the underground that I care about most.
It’s going to be tough, but hopefully fun too” he says. The Music Venue Trust is a UK-registered charity that aims to protect, preserve, and improve grassroots Music Venues that have played a crucial role in British music for over 40 years, and are currently suffering.
“Frank will be crisscrossing the nation hitting some of the country's finest grassroots music venues for an action-packed day which promises to set the global standard for dedication to live music ” CEO Mark Davyd says.
To be able to complete the almost 500 mile journey, Frank will be supported by London’s number one Taxi App FREENOW, who will be providing e-taxis for him throughout the whole journey.
FREENOW's continued support of MVT includes ‘Ride for Music’ which saw FREENOW donate £1 from every ride to MVT. London’s No.1 Taxi app is proud to support grassroots music venues, ensuring local nightlife continues to thrive throughout the UK.
The schedule will hit the following venues:
SATURDAY MAY 4TH
12.30pm- Liverpool, Jacaranda – Instore
2:30pm- Huddersfield, Parish – Outside for Vinyl Trap
4:00pm- Leeds, Boom – Outstore for Crash
6:00pm- Sheffield, The Foundry – Outstore for Bear Tree
7:30 pm- Chesterfield, Gasoline - Outstore for Tail Bird
9:00pm- Nottingham, Saltbox – Outstore for Rough Trade
10:30pm- Birmingham, RMBL – Outside for Eclipse Records
SUNDAY MAY 5TH
12:00am- Leanington Spa, Temperance – Outstore for Head
2:00am- Leighton Buzzard, Crooked Crow Bar – Outstore for Black Circle Recs
4:00am- London, Underworld – Outstore
6:00am- Kingston, Banquet Records 7:30am- Alders not, West End Centre – Outside for 101 Collectors
9:00am- Portsmouth, Staggeringly Good Brewery – Outside for Pie & Vinyl
10:30am- Winchester, The Railway – Outside for Pie & Vinyl
12:00pm- Southampton, The Brook – Outside for Vinilio
Frank will be playing songs from his new upcoming album ‘Underdefeated’, which explores emotionally compelling topics and lighter reflections on midlife challenges that eventually come to all of us.
It’s available to pre-order HERE, with the option of purchasing a physical copy, with a limited edition picture disc with one-shot photography captured by a vintage tint-type camera.
To attend one of the shows, purchase the album and ticket HERE!
Article by : Rocio Jimenez Bermejo
Live photo credit: Lukas Rauch
Musik Magazine 2024
