Frank Turner
Frank Turner first played Cambridge in 2008 when he had the honour of opening the festival on Stage Two on the Thursday night, following the release of "Sleep Is For The Week" the year before. It was a bit of a switch for Frank who had previously been best known for being in punk band Million Dead.
One of the things he retained from his punk days was a healthy lack of respect for the establishment with bitter songs covering injustice being a common theme of his song writing and performing, similarly he adopted the punk troubadour attitude of sing loud and sing often as he reeled off gig after gig across Europe and beyond.Whilst many of his songs are social, he also sings about relationships with equally skilled observations, drawing him an odd comparison with the likes of Billy Bragg. Last year saw him taking on America with a support slot alongside punk folksters, Flogging Molly.
A new album, "England Keep My Bones" will ensure that he keeps himself busy and a return trip to Cambridge is more than welcome. Folk music seems to be rediscovering its political side, there's more than that to Frank, but he's definitely played his part.
Photocredit: Phil Carter