Simon Rushworth
Fan favourite Frank Turner has leapt to the defence of music lovers devastated by the decision to scrap this weekend’s inaugural Ignition festival in Newcastle.
The former Million Dead man was due to add some quality rock class to an otherwise dull indie line-up at the city’s Racecourse.
But organisers were forced to pull the plug at the last minute – leaving Turner and thousands of paying customers with time on their hands. Never one to sit on his arse the festival regular has lined up a gig at Newcastle’s O2 Academy tomorrow and it’s free to Ignition ticket holders!
“I was due to play at Ignition Festival in Newcastle on Saturday,” he explained. “As most people have now heard, the festival has been cancelled. I have neither the knowledge nor the desire to get involved in arguments as to why – the guys at the festival were cool with me all through and are bitterly disappointed that it’s not happening, that’s all I know for sure. Whatever the case, that show isn’t going ahead.
“Naturally, me being me, I’ve been trying to sort out a replacement show for tomorrow in Newcastle. We now, finally, have a plan.
“We (the Sleeping Souls and I) will be playing at the Newcastle O2 Academy tomorrow night. Doors will be at 7pm, and the show will run until 10.30. If you have an Ignition Festival ticket, entry will be free. Otherwise entry will be £10, tickets on the door. The venue is smaller than the festival, so it’ll be first come, first served. The age limit is 14 +.
“We’ve spent the last 24 hours going through a million permutations, trying to cover every aspect (age restrictions, time, location, venue size, ticket holders etc.) and this is, as far as anyone can tell, the best option. I’d like to say a special thanks to Paul and his staff at the Academy, Joanna (my booking agent) and Graham (my tour manager) for working their arses off to pull this together. I know it doesn’t replace an outdoor festival, but I think it’s a great effort for the last minute!
“Incidentally, according to the Ignition Festival website, they will be refunding tickets, so keep hold of yours whether you can make it to the show or not, hopefully you’ll get your money back. See you all tomorrow night.”
Turner releases his new single If Ever I Stray on August 29 – just a day after he plays the Main Stage at the Reading and Leeds Festival.
He will be touring the UK in November –
full dates are:
22 Bournemouth O2 Academy
23 Newport, Newport Centre
24 Birmingham O2 Academy
25 Glasgow Barrowlands
26 Manchester O2 Apollo
27 London HMV Hammersmith Apollo