Frank Turner has done it!
He has beaten the World Record for most shows, played in multiple cities, in 24 hours. The U.K. musician performed 15 shows in 24 hours over the weekend, breaking Hunter Hayes’ record of 10.
Frank Turner took to the road last weekend in an audacious attempt to break the World Record (which stood at ten) for most shows, played in multiple cities, in 24 hours. And the musician, who is originally from Hampshire, succeeded in his attempt playing 15 different shows between the hours of 12.30 p.m. on the 4th and 5th of May 2024. Although his attempt has not yet been verified by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Turner’s attempt was in honour of the U.K. Music Venue Trust (a U.K. charity that supports grassroots venues), and he played 15 shows of 20 minutes (or more) in support of independent music venues. Each show was ticketed by an independent record store and held in an independent venue. He beat the previous world record held by Hunter Hayes, who performed 10 concerts in different cities in 24 hours back in 2014. Prior to Hayes, Flaming Lips were the record-holders with eight shows in 2012.
“I’m extremely proud — and yet more exhausted — after completing the challenge to get the world record,” he said in a statement. “The main drive for me was to highlight the work of independent venues and record shops and the Music Venue Trust, as well as bringing over 3000 people together in 24 hours for a good time. I did 24 shows in 24 hours in London in 2009, but this was arguably a bigger challenge, and a more official one. Time for some sleep!”
On Saturday, he shared a “before” photo on Instagram, where he thanked those joining him to make the endeavour a reality, but also jokingly admitted “This is a terrible idea” before adding the rallying message of “Let’s do this.”
His “after” shot is as celebratory as it should be, taken from the stage with cheering fans behind him. “Proud. Tired. Grateful. Long live independent music,” he wrote in the caption.
Music Venue Trust CEO and Founder Mark Davyd said in a statement that the organization will submit “all the details of these shows, the evidence required to verify each event, over to Guinness World Records and we believe they will recognise that Frank is the new world record holder.”
Turner is set to tour in support of his recently released Undefeated. The tour kicks off on May 23 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at XL Live.
Catch Frank on the road here.
