Frank Turner

21st Century Appearances: 2011 Main Stage, 2011 Lock Up, 2010 NME Stage, 2009 NME Stage, 2008 Lock Up, 2007 Carling Stage

The Defining Reading Moment: Walking onto the Main Stage for the first time in 2011; representing the conclusion of a long journey from the bottom all the way to the top done the old fashion way, with hard work and hard gigging.

Frank Turner is no stranger to Reading and Leeds. Having played across three stages; the NME, a secret slot on the lock up, and his first main stage performance earlier this year, it’s been hard to miss the ex-Million Dead frontman if you’ve been to the festival over the last few years.

Since splitting up with his post-hardcore outfit in 2005 he has brought out four full albums and played over one thousand live shows, and he finally made something close to commercial breakthrough with a peak position of twelfth in the UK album charts with his latest album England Keep My Bones.

Every time Turner plays, he fails to disappoint. From tiny pubs to the main stage at Reading or Leeds, I’ve yet to see a performance from him that has been below par. In fact, I’ve yet to witness even an average show; the one thousand plus shows have given him a lot of experience to draw upon. In terms of Reading shows there’s no way to pick a stand out, however gracing the main stage for the first time this year and hearing nothing but good things as he managed to hold the crowd’s attention is something of a huge step, showing that Turner is obviously well on his way to becoming a Reading and Leeds legend. Kyle Prangnell