Frank Turner Connects with a Sold Out Detroit Crowd

Frank Turner brought his Undefeated Solo Tour to a sold-out show at El Club in Detroit on Saturday, May 10. The venue held about 450 fans, each of them eager to experience Turner’s magic. From the moment the lights dimmed, everyone knew that this was going to be a special show.

The evening began with Katacombs, fronted by Katerina Kiranos, who also happens to be the touring keyboardist for Amigo the Devil, a band that was previously on tour with Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls. She set the mood for the night with her heartfelt tunes that touched on emotional subjects. She’s definitely an up-and-coming artist to watch out for in the future.

Following Katacombs was singer-songwriter Dave Hause. Highlights of his set included “Look Alive,” “Gary” and “The Ditch.” Hause captivated the audience with his charm and honesty, delivering a performance that any Frank Turner fan would appreciate.

Finally, the man of the hour made his way to the stage. Frank Turner walked out with a smile on his face, acoustic guitar in hand. He treated the crowd to a variety of songs from his catalog. Some old ones, some new ones and a few in-between made up his 21 song setlist. Standouts included “1933,” “I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous” and “I Still Believe.” He even busted out “Smiling at Strangers on Trains,” which is a song originally by his old hardcore band, Million Dead (who are gearing up for some reunion shows soon). Turner is known to be very accessible to his fans and often takes song requests via email. Responding to a fan’s request, Frank included “Josephine,” from his 2015 album, Positive Songs for Negative People, in the middle of his set, much to the audience’s delight.

Frank stated that this would be his last US tour for the rest of the year, but he made sure fans got a stellar performance. Even though it was an acoustic set, the energy in the room was electric. It’s not everyday fans get to see their favorite artist in such an intimate venue. It was magical seeing fans of all ages packed in like sardines singing Frank’s words back to him. His lyrics remind us that we all make mistakes, but we can always choose a new path and start over tomorrow. Frank’s songs are truly uplifting and relatable, so it’s easy to see why he is beloved by so many. Be sure to catch Frank Turner, Dave Hause and Katacombs as they embark on this wonderful tour across the US and Canada. Find a show near you here: https://frank-turner.com/live-gigs/