English performer Frank Turner released a new track, ‘The Gathering’. The track features the talents of Muse’s drummer Dom Howard and Jason Isbell, marking the comeback of Turner after almost two years, following the 2019 record ‘No Man’s Land’. The singer also announced a series of UK dates, as the single anticipates the return of live music after the pandemic. You can purchase your ticket here.
‘It’s a song about what we’ve been missing, that sense of coming together, and how ready I am to get back to it,’ he said about his single, ‘The last year has been incredibly difficult and frustrating for everyone, not least the people who work and revel in live music.’ He then talked about identity, which for him was the biggest thing about the whole lockdown experience: ‘I am the guy who tours, this is who I’ve been since I was sixteen. This is the longest period of time I’ve slept in the same bed continuously since I was seven.’
Frank Turner was particularly active during lockdowns. By playing virtual shows from his living room to save UK grassroots venues, he managed to raise over £250,000, being of fundamental help to many venues which might not have survived the pandemic. Taking place during the summer, it is still unsure whether the shows will be running at full capacity or with social distancing, but Turner claims that the shows are designed to be versatile to overcome any obstacle: ‘At a time when the pandemic has wreaked havoc all across the live music industry, I feel like it’s important to get back to the basics – playing live music to entertain a crowd. This summer, with Xtra Mile and friends, I’m taking the punk approach – do it yourself, find a way. I can’t wait.’
UK tour dates for this summer can be found below:
19/06/2021 – The Big Sheep – Bideford
20/06 – The Big Sheep – Bideford
26/06 – Cheese & Grain – Frome
27/06 – Cheese & Grain – Frome
8/07 – Top Rope Brewery – Liverpool
17/07 – Guildhall – Gloucester
18/07 – Guildhall – Gloucester
21/08 – Urmston Sports Club – Manchester
3/09 – Zebedees Yard – Hull
