To mark his upcoming 3000th gig, and his new album Undefeated, singer-songwriter Frank Turner is going to be making a world record attempt over the May Bank Holiday weekend - and that record attempt will bring him to Sheffield!
On Saturday 4th May, Frank will embark upon the first ever Music Venue Trust world record attempt to play the most gigs in different cities in 24 hours by playing fifteen shows across the country from Liverpool to Southampton. Frank’s effort will be supported by London’s No. 1 Taxi app FREENOW who will be providing e-taxis for him to complete his nearly 500 mile journey.
The rules for the record attempt are simple. In a timeframe of 24 hours, Frank has to play 15 solo shows, with each set running for a minimum of 20 minutes. The current record is officially held by Hunter Hayes who played ten shows in 2014, and prior to that it was the Flaming Lips who played eight in 2012.
It’s not just about promoting a new album, there is a serious point to the record attempt as the challenge will support grassroots venues and independent record stores across the country. Frank’s tour will start with an instore gig at 12:30pm at Liverpool’s Jacaranda Baltic. From there he moves on to the Parish in Huddersfield for a gig at 2:30pm in partnership with Vinyl Tap. Next up is Leeds for a gig at 4pm before he travels on to Sheffield.
In the Steel City Frank will be playing the University of Sheffield’s Foundry venue, in partnership with Bear Tree Records. Keeping it in the area he’ll then travel the short distance to Chesterfield to play at the Gasoline at 7:30pm in partnership with Tailbird Records.
Both gigs in Sheffield and Chesterfield have already sold out. The gigs will be necessarily short with a very quick turnaround to give Frank the best chance of achieving his goal. At the Foundry the doors will open at 5.30pm. There will be no support and Frank will be on stage at approximately 6pm with a curfew of 6:30pm.
It’s a big coup for Sheffield to be a part of Frank’s world record attempt, and despite the short length it should be a really fun event. Fans will be hoping Frank plays hits like ‘I Still Believe’, as well as his latest single for Record Store Day, ‘Girl From The Record Shop’.
From Chesterfield Frank will travel on to Nottingham and then Birmingham. He’ll continue playing through the night with gigs in Leighton Buzzard at 2am and London at 4am! After a morning of further gigs Frank aims to complete his challenge in Southampton, playing at The Brook at midday on Sunday 5 May in partnership with Vinilo Record Store.
Frank says: “With nearly 3000 shows under my belt, I’ve never been one to do things by halves or shirk a challenge - I once played all 50 American states in 50 days, for goodness sake. For the release of my tenth studio album, ‘Undefeated’, I will be making an attempt at a world record: the most number of shows in different cities in 24 hours. It’s not just self-promotion either. 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. Come down for a show!”
Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, adds: “We are delighted to support Frank Turner's attempt to set the official Music Venue Trust world record for the most gigs played in 24 hours. With the help of FREENOW black cabs, Frank will be criss-crossing 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.”
Frank’s new album ‘Undefeated’ is released on Friday 3 May on multiple formats including a limited edition picture disc with one-shot photography captured by a vintage tintype camera. His tenth solo album, it’s the follow-up to 2022’s FTHC, his first UK number 1 album. Frank will be touring the UK in July in support of the album. He won’t be performing in Sheffield this time, but he will be playing at the Y Not Festival in the Peak District on Saturday 3 August.
Good luck with the world record attempt, Frank!