WORDS AND IMAGES BY JAMES WOOLLEN
Arriving early at the Legendary Leadmill in Sheffield, for Frank Turner and Pet Needs it was already pretty packed out; the appetite for live music seems to be in high demand, which is great to see..
First up were Pet Needs a band signed band signed to Frank Turner’s Xtra Mile recordings and they went off at 100 miles an hour from start to finish, and I think lead singer Johnny Marriott covered every inch of the stage, full of irrepressible energy that he must have stored up since the beginning of the pandemic.
Pet Needs brought a blend of piledriving indie hardcore and post-punk-rock to the stage. Think The Clash, The Sex Pistols and Enter Shikari. Their set was explosive, full of energy, catchy songs and release of pent-up frustrations, a barrage of screeching guitars and frantic vocals.
The man of the moment was up next, the folk punk troubadour, Frank Turner with his Sleeping Souls. Walking on to the stage to the, the capacity crowd erupted, as the band launched into “Non Serviam” and “The Gathering” and the hairs on the back of my neck told me that it was going to be a very special night.
The set had 3 distinct sections, full band, acoustic set and the a kick arse encore, finishing with the amazing “ I Still Believe ” Frank Turner knew what his fans were here to see and hear and he didn’t disappoint for one second. He fed off the energy that the crowd created, and the crowd buzzed of the energy he created, and it was amazing to be in the thick of it.
His ability to write great songs with big punchy stadium-sized sing-along choruses is a true talent and judging by the euphoric response tonight from the thousands in the room this evening, he has found a formula that works.
I have to be honest and say I was not very familiar with Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls until the last few days, but now I am a big fan. They are one of the best live acts I have seen, and I can’t wait to see them again. In the meantime, it’s time to buy some records so I can sing along with everyone else.
SET LIST
1/ NON SERVIAM
2/ THE GATHERING
3/ OUT OF BREATH
4/ IF EVER I STRAY
5/ UNTAINTED LOVE
6/ FATHERLESS
7/ 1933
8/ LITTLE CHANGES
9/ PEGGY SANG THE BLUES
10/ THE NEXT STORM
11/ MIRANDA
12/ BRAVE FACE
13/ LONG LIVE THE QUEEN
14/ BE MORE KIND
15/ MY BAD
16/ HAVEN’T BEEN DOING WELL
17/ POLAROID PICTURES
18/ GET BETTER
ENCORE
19/ THE BALLAD OF ME AND MY FRIENDS
20/ RECOVERY
21/ TRY THIS AT HOME
22/ I STILL BELIEVE
FOLLOW FRANK TURNER
FOLLOW PET NEEDS
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
