April 14, 2012 12:30

Frank Turner gets tattooed during celebratory Wembley Arena gig

Singer-songwriter covers Queen and Bob Dylan at huge London show

Photo: Tom Martin/NME

Frank Turner got a new tattoo during his gig at London's Wembley Arena last night (April 13).

The singer-songwriter, who was headlining the 12,500-capacity venue with his band The Sleeping Souls, broadcast the backstage inking on screens at the venue after closing the main portion of the set.

The gig saw Turner duet with support act Billy Bragg on a version of Bob Dylan classic 'The Times They Are A Changin'' and also play a cover of Queen's 'Somebody To Love'. Turner also brought his surprised mother onstage to play harmonica on 'Dan's Song'.

The show, which also featured support slots from singer-songwriter Beans On Toast and Dan Le Sac Vs Scoobius Pip, saw Turner play backed by a string section.

The set included tracks 'Reasons Not To Be An Idiot' and 'Nashville Tennessee', as well as rockier full-band material including 'Try This At Home' and 'The Road'. Turner also played a new song, titled 'Four Simple Words', an emo-style tribute to musicals which he said was "about dancing".

During the encore Turner hinted that it might be the last time he would play his live favourite 'The Ballad Of Me And My Friends', before closing the set with 'Photosynthesis', which sparked a rousing sing-along among the crowd.

Frank Turner played:

'Eulogy'
'Try This At Home'
'If I Ever Stray'
'Reasons Not To Be An Idiot'
'Nashville Tennessee'
'Wessex Boy'
'I Am Disappeared'
'Love Ire And Song'
'Glory Hallelujah'
'Real Damage'
'Dan's Song'
'Father's Day'
'Substitute'
'Long Live The Queen'
'I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous'
'Sons Of Liberty'
'Four Simple Words'
'The Road'
'I Still Believe'
'Somebody To Love'
'The Times They Are A-Changing'
'Ballad Of Me And My Friends'
'Photosynthesis'

To read a full all-access report from the gig, including exclusive backstage interviews and photos, pick up the next week's issue of NME, which is on UK newsstands and available digitally from Wednesday (April 18).

Scroll down and click below to watch an exclusive NME pre-gig interview with Turner.

Video: Frank Turner - The Road To Wembley

The world's greatest music magazine is now available as a digital edition! For exclusive content you won't find on NME.COM, download here on your iPad/iPhone and here on your Kindle Fire or Nook.

Share on Facebook