Although some British artists might fear their popularity won’t translate in another country, Frank Turner showed no hesitation returning to Ottawa Oct. 30 at Mavericks.
The Meonstoke, Winchester native headlined Mavericks intimate stage with other popular acts such as Andrew Jackson Jihad and Into It. Over It.
The 29-year-old singer is a veteran of the British hardcore scene, having played with the popular group Million Dead — a band beloved for its personal lyrics and political stances on England’s government. Turner said this same political disillusionment coloured his early solo work, until 2008 when he released a much more personal album, Love, Ire & Song.
“I just got to the point where I couldn’t write about something that didn’t excite me anymore,” Turner said about his shift in lyrical content. “I got to peek through the door, where I could see myself being a full-time protest singer, and I decided it wasn’t for me.”
Turner released his newest album, England Keep My Bones, June 6. It deals with his views on the state of the world and his place in it, he said.
“I didn’t want to be a flag pole for people to run their own flags, their own ideas up.”
The packed crowd at Mavericks had no problem swaying along to the tunes of Turner’s backing band, the Sleeping Souls, and singing along with him. The mid-show break into the atheist-tinged sing-along “Glory Hallelujah” had the audience on their feet, and was perhaps the most memorable of a night of excellent songs, said one audience member who described the blistering set.
“His lyrics actually mean something, he stands for something. You can’t say that about a lot of popular artists today,” said 24-year-old Shirley Mckenna, who said she has seen Turner in concert before.
Opener Andrew Jackson Jihad’s provocative lyrics were applauded , with sound issues at the beginning hardly taking away from the set. Relative newcomers to the alt-folk scene, Into It. Over It showcased their talents with Evan Thomas Weiss’ harder tinged vocals resonating with the crowd.
Turner will be returning to Ottawa this June, opening for an undisclosed but “major” act, he said.
