Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls

Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls are back on this side of the pond and, with over 250 live shows under their belt last year alone, they are racking up their show count night-by-night in city-by-city.  Their Winnipeg performance at the Garrick Centre marked show #1481.  Folk-punk pub-singalong would be the genre, and while he has been popular over in England for a while, the number of people singing along to his poetic lyrics over here is getting mighty impressive as well.  It’s always fun to see a band that plays stadiums relax into a chill venue and have a good time – pressure is off and personalities shine through.  I’d rather see them perform in the small music holes of Winnipeg than playing a sold out stadium anyway.

The band hits the stage running with a waiting crowd.

The band hits the stage running with a waiting crowd.

On doctor's orders for a back injury, Frank had to take some time off from playing his guitar.  Instead of cancelling the tour, a new band member hopped on their bus to help them out.  Introducing Cahir O'Doherty.

Recovering from a back injury, doctor’s orders were for Frank to take some time off from playing his guitar.  Instead of cancelling the tour, a new band member hopped on their bus to help them out: introducing, Cahir O’Doherty.

The crowd watches.

The crowd watches.

Despite doctor's orders, Frank was running around stage having a great time.

Despite doctor’s orders, Frank was running around stage and drawing the audience in.

Crowd participation is encouraged and the Garrick is quickly filled voices singing poetry.

Crowd participation is encouraged and the Garrick is quickly filled with clapping, dancing, and voices singing poetic anthems in unison.

No crowd barriers here - it was a very intimate show.

No crowd barriers here; it was a very intimate night.

The Sleeping Souls strike up a solid backing band around Nigel Powell on the drum set.

The Sleeping Souls strike up a solid rhythm around Nigel Powell on his drum set.

People crowd for the front of the stage...

People crowd for the front of the stage…

...and others close their eyes and take it in from the back.

…and others close their eyes and take it in from the back.

But all eyes are on the stage.

Regardless, all eyes are on the stage.

Working it...

Frank’s latest album is Tape Deck Heart, a breakup album that explored a different sort of singer-songwriting than his previous work.  The set list was balanced between old and new; still, his music’s edge prevails.

A quick rest for the band and audience alike as Frank Turner spouts off some Winnipeg Trivia and jokes.  Got to love a fellow Weakerthans fan.

A quick rest for the band and audience alike as Frank Turner spouts off some Winnipeg trivia and jokes.  Winnipeg has a special place in Frank’s heart as he is a huge Weakerthans fan, and every time he visits he puts together a cover of one of their songs.  This time around it was a full band cover of “Plea From A Cat Named Virtute.”

Being near Halloween, and being Winnipeg, an invisible man blended in with the crowd.

Being near Halloween, and being Winnipeg, an invisible man blended in with the crowd.  Keep Winnipeg weird.

And we're back at it.

And we’re back at it.

Wholeheartedly.

“Now who’d have thought that after all, something as simple as rock ‘n’ roll would save us all.”
-Frank Turner in I Still Believe

Everybody.

“I still believe in the need for guitars and drums and desperate poetry.”
-Frank Turner in I Still Believe

Good energy, fuelled by passion.

“I want to dance, I want to dance, I want lust and love and a smattering of romance.  But I’m no good at dancing, yet I have to do something.  Tonight I’m going to play it straight, I’m going to take my chance, I want to dance.”
-Frank Turner in Four Simple Words

Slowing things down.

Slowing things down.

Always lighters, not phones.

Always lighters, not phones.

We are having the time of our lives.

“Be a fan of every band that made you want to move your feet.  Fall along with every person who ever made your heart want to skip a beat.”
-Frank Turner in We Shall Not Overcome