Frank Turner has achieved a new world record by performing 15 shows in 15 different towns within 24 hours. This feat, undertaken in support of the Music Venue Trust (MVT), involved Turner playing at independent venues, with tickets sold by independent record shops.
The marathon began at Liverpool’s Jacaranda Baltic at 12:30pm on Saturday, culminating at Southampton’s The Brook at midday the following day. Each set lasted at least 15 minutes, with a minimum of 25 audience members required per show, as stipulated by the MVT.
Turner commemorated the start of the journey with a pre-event photo captioned “BEFORE,” expressing gratitude to the venues, crew, record shops, and MVT. A subsequent post marked the end of the challenge with an “AFTER” sign, conveying pride, fatigue, and gratitude for independent music.
Reflecting on a previous feat where he played 24 shows in 24 hours in Greater London in 2009, Turner highlighted the official nature and logistical challenges of this latest endeavour. Accompanied by his crew, he successfully surpassed the MVT’s record criteria.
Turner’s advocacy for grassroots music venues aligns with the MVT’s call for a £1 ticket levy on large-scale concerts to support smaller live music spaces. He emphasised the importance of collective industry support for the independent sector, urging audiences to prioritise indie gigs over arena shows.
His latest album, ‘Undefeated,’ released independently via Xtra Mile, underscores his commitment to promoting independent music experiences.
