Thursday, April 10, 2025

Original Gang of Four member Dave Allen dead at 69

Gang of Four bassist Dave Allen has died at the age of 69. The rock star shot to fame...

Latest Posts

Pulp to release first new album for 24 years

Pulp have announced their first new album for 24 years. The Britpop icons have revealed that 'More' - their...

Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts, Sam Fender, RAYE and Diana Ross lead stacked Montreux Jazz Festival bill

Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts, Sam Fender, RAYE and Diana Ross lead the stacked 2025 Montreux Jazz Festival lineup.

Posthumous Donna Summer song to be released by songwriter Toby Gad

A posthumous Donna Summer song is to be released by songwriter to the stars Toby Gad. The Grammy nominated...

Green Day announce expanded deluxe edition of 2024 LP Saviors, boasting previously unreleased tracks

Green Day are releasing an extended deluxe edition of their 2024 album 'Saviors', boasting seven additional tracks. Set for...

Frank Turner admits live stream shows can’t replace ‘actual gigs’

Frank Turner admits his live stream shows are no replacement for an "actual gig".

The ‘I Still Believe’ singer has been putting on weekly performances for fans during lockdown, which have seen him playing full albums – as well as rarities and covers – while encouraging people to donate and support a different independent venue each week.

He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I am relieved to say that a streaming show is still not the same as an actual gig.

"It’s funny, pretty much every other aspect of my professional life has been made downloadable and I’m pleased to say that that’s not the case of a live performance.

"There’s something about gathering in a room, but then that’s the irony of the whole situation.

"I’ve spent the last two decades of my life trying to gather people in a room – that’s what I do. And now suddenly that’s the one thing we can’t do, and that’s crushing in its way."

The live streams have proven popular, with many of them raising around £10,000 for venues at risk due to the current pandemic.

Frank’s Independent Venue Love concert series – which has been expanded by the Music Venue Trust and turned into a winder Save Our Venues campaign – are a positive amid the coronavirus lockdown.

However, the 38-year-old singer songwriter admitted there is still something missing from the living room gigs.

He added: "The great thing about a live show that it’s an interaction between a performer and an audience.

"There’s an exchange of energy that makes every performance and every show memorable. It is weird sitting in your front room trying to recreate that."

Still, Frank is enjoying the chance to perform for his fans each week – and he can’t wait for everyone to reunite in the future.

He said: "I would suspect that as and when people are allowed out again there will be an upsurge in people wanting to go to gigs because everybody’s starting to realise how valuable that is."

Latest Posts

Pulp to release first new album for 24 years

Pulp have announced their first new album for 24 years. The Britpop icons have revealed that 'More' - their...

Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts, Sam Fender, RAYE and Diana Ross lead stacked Montreux Jazz Festival bill

Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts, Sam Fender, RAYE and Diana Ross lead the stacked 2025 Montreux Jazz Festival lineup.

Posthumous Donna Summer song to be released by songwriter Toby Gad

A posthumous Donna Summer song is to be released by songwriter to the stars Toby Gad. The Grammy nominated...

Green Day announce expanded deluxe edition of 2024 LP Saviors, boasting previously unreleased tracks

Green Day are releasing an extended deluxe edition of their 2024 album 'Saviors', boasting seven additional tracks. Set for...

Don't Miss

Miley Cyrus drops new single End of the World

Miley Cyrus has released her new single ‘End of the World’. The 32-year-old pop star dropped the new track,...

Ed Sheeran releases new single Azizam

Ed Sheeran has released his new single ‘Azizam’. The 34-year-old singer dropped the Persian-inspired track from his upcoming eighth...

Motley Crue cancel festival slot

Motley Crue have cancelled their performance at the Boardwalk Rock festival in Ocean City, Maryland next month. The band...

Sir Elton John hated the thought of making another solo album: ‘I would have killed myself…’

Sir Elton John hated the thought of making another solo album. The 78-year-old pop legend has released a total...

New initiative launches to ease gig-goers fears of travelling alone

More than a quarter of women would go to gigs alone if they felt safer travelling home. New research...

Stay in touch

To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements.