Frank Turner: Show# 2197

Last night, Frank Turner performed show number 2197 at The Truman in Kansas City, Missouri and all I can say is… Wow! With opening acts The Homeless Gospel Choir, The Menzingers, and Lucero, Frank Turner turned The Truman on its ear with the highest energy show I’ve seen in far too many years. Given that he just returned from his uncle’s funeral in Britain, Frank exhibited tremendous professionalism and showmanship. He drew the audience in and embraced them with his mantra of respect, compassion, and individualistic recognition. It’s one of his only two rules. The second is Don’t be a dick.

Frank began the night with 1933 from his recent album Be More Kind and then ripped his way through most tracks from that album as well as fan favorites from the past. This was my first Frank concert, so I’m uncertain if the night unfolded as previous concerts have. There was boisterous singing, enthusiastic dancing, and frequent mosh pit activity. Kudos to the 12 year old boy and 20-something woman who not only bounded around the periphery of said mosh pit, but also mixed things up by shoving people with fierce vigor. Then the crowd surfing began.

Frank pulled Adam and Brandon from KC’s The Architects up and promptly positioned them at the front corners of the stage. Providing strict directives of the song cues for each, he tore into another energy bursting song (EDIT: If Ever I Stray, thanks Joel) and each one arced above the crowd in their race to see who could traverse the throng from one corner to the other. Later, Frank also joined in the crowd surfing fervor and also grabbed one lucky lady to accompany him during Four Simple Words.

For all the punk sensibilities present last night, Frank managed to strip it all away. He closed the show with an arm-in-arm sweat-fest (EDIT: Polaroid Picture – thanks Joel). I’m sure Frank’s played to much larger audiences on this tour. Still, I hope he knows how much the KCMO attendees appreciated this show. I can’t wait to see his next show.