“I’d challenge anyone not to enjoy it” Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls in Norwich review

Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls perform at UEA's LCR. Picture: Jack Walsh (Image: Jack Walsh)

This was the summary of the Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls show in Norwich last night, as described by an older gentleman who had neither seen, nor heard the majority of the singer's music, but whom I asked how he'd enjoyed the show on my way out.

And I wholeheartedly agree.

I've seen the London musician 10 times now, and every time I come out with sore feet from dancing and a huge smile on my face.

But whether you've seen Frank once or 50 times (and some people have) this performance showcases genuinely fantastic musicians in the Sleeping Souls, as well as unrelenting energy from the front man himself. I'd challenge anyone not to enjoy it.

Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls perform at UEA's LCR. Picture: Jack Walsh (Image: Jack Walsh)

The LCR gig kicked off with a track from the songwriter's latest album 'Be More Kind', before segueing into jump-inducing (seriously, the whole crowd was bouncing) numbers from previous album 'Positive Songs for Negative People'.

What's fantastic is that even though the new album is sitting at number two on the UK's chart lists, the material wasn't rammed down our throats in a bid to send us out the door with a copy.

The classics from 'The Way I Tend To Be' to 'Love, Ire and Song' were still rolled out with as much enthusiasm as the first time I'd ever heard them, and the constant flow of minor arrangement changes means you never get bored of hearing them.

We were also treated to the debut of single '21st Century Survival Blues' which had never been played live with the Sleeping Souls before.

Admittedly about 30 seconds of the sound seemed a little off to me- but this is live music from a record released just five days ago, we can allow them half a minute of imperfection.

Despite that, the show's sound throughout proved why the LCR is such a popular venue. The sold out show packed with 2,000 people brought the studio album to life, highlighting the musical intricacies you just don't get in a lot of popular albums these days.

The lighting too was brilliant - perhaps it was down to the fact it was the lighting manager's birthday (we sung him happy birthday), but to put it simply; it was the right amount of flashy without giving you a migraine.

Would I see Frank Turner again? Absolutely.

Should you go and experience it for yourself? Without a doubt.