After a good night's sleep after show #2999 (that's a lie, I had 5 hours!) it was time for the main event, show #3000 for the legend that is FRANK TURNER and what an incredible night we had in the amazing Alexandra Palace.

The first thing that hits you when we get in the venue is how cavernous it is, was this really sold out? it's HUGE?!?!? And the stage was also massive but this did allow for everyone to be set up and ready to go with very quick turnarounds between bands. 

First up we had THE MEFFS, a punk 2 piece (!) from Essex. A 2 piece in a veritable aircraft hanger of a venue could have gone really wrong but The Meffs are not a quiet, ordinary two piece. From the first note, lead singer Lily didn't stop moving and this energy was felt in every note and word of every song. It was loud, it was shouty and it was catchy. Frank has supported the band and appeared on their songs and their raw energy were the perfect warm up on this auspicious night. Lewis's thumping drums and Lily's massive guitar sound filled every corner of the hall. And the crowd responded, singing the choruses where instructed with vigour and volume. We hardly had time to catch our breath between songs before this headlong rush was over. What a great start to the night. 

Next up we had THE LOTTERY WINNERS, another band Frank has been supportive of in recent years. Frank even said during his set that he made lead singer Thom promise that when they are playing stadiums in future, they would ask him to come and open up for them, he is that sure they will be massive. From the start, you can't help believing that the sky is the limit for this Northern indie 4 piece. Thom immediately had the audience in the palm of his hand as he asked them to pretend he was Frank Turner walking on to the stage as he scuttled off to the shadows turned and walked on to rapturous applause! Brilliant. 

The songs are just brilliant, complete bangers every single one. Frank couldn't ask for more from a support act. We were laughing, crying and so pleased for a band who genuinely are so humble and grateful to be playing in big halls to 10,000 fans. It was a pinch me moment for Thom and the band and crowd loved it. 

It was a short set but we were taught some dance moves that had the crowd from front to back moving in unison which was an incredible sight. 'Start Again' was definately my favourite from the set but 'Burning House' was another great live track. 

It was all over too quickly for the now full hall and they left the stage to massive applause. Catch them on their own tour right now in Europe before they come back to the UK in April and lookout for the new album due out very soon. Not to be missed.

And then we caught our breath, we stretched our weary legs and we waited. 

I have shot Frank’s shows for nearly 10 years, all over the world but this was going to be the biggest. In fact, his openess and generosity in letting inexperienced, just starting out photographers like me, pick up a photo pass was a huge inspiration and opportunity for me to develop my skills. This was no more evident than tonight with no less than 17 shooters in the pit and a few I talked to shooting their first or second show! 

The lights dropped and a ticker appeared on the big screen behind the stage, counting up from one to 2999 and as Frank entered the stage it clicked over to 3000 to loud cheers from 10,000 eager fans. The audience were wild.

Frank started the set standing alone on stage, bathed in a single spotlight as he launched into song 1, 'The Ballad of me and My Friends', acoustic and unencumbered. As the song drew to a close he was joined on stage by The Sleeping Souls, "the best rock and roll band" in the world. Second song, "I Knew Prufrock before he was Famous' had shots from the early years of the band and associated friends and connections, a family album of sorts, played on the massive screens behind. 

And the pace took a noticeable uptick as 'I still believe' , 'Do one', 'Try This at Home', 'The Girl from the Record Shop', '1933', 'No Thank You for the Music', and 'The Next Storm' were smashed through. The crowd were jumping, dancing and singing their hearts out and the place reached fever pitch. 

Frank noted that he isn't alone doing a lot of shows, with notable others being Blue Oyster Cult, John Otway and Bon Jovi to name a few but as he said, he is significantly younger than them and he has no intention of stopping any time soon. The definition of a 'show' was when there were more people in the audience than on stage and more than 5 songs played. It's true the rate of shows have slowed a little in recent years but the numbers remain impressive. The first 1000 saw him averaging 200+ shows a year. It was more like 175 a year for the next 1000. COVID of course impacted the last period and since the plague we are seeing more like 125 a year, still a very impressive amount. He's definitely got a couple more thousand in him!

The stage setup was simple but hugely effective. 2 big screens either side of the stage and a five way split of screens at the back of the stage, all showing black and white playback of the live action. It complimented the live performance without being distracting. 

'I am Disappeared' took the place down a little bit this respite was short lived before the pace returned. We had a dozen circle pits going at one point from the front to the back of the hall, choreographed from Frank on stage. 

'Somewhere in Between', a song drawn from being rejected by the hardcore scene as a kid, definitely touched a nerve for so many in the room and you could feel the emotion in Frank's delivery of such a passionate song. He gave it everything and more. 

At this point The Sleepless Souls left the stage as Frank returned to solo acoustic guitar for 'Long Live the Queen', written about the death of a close friend to cancer and tonight dedicated to Daisy, a fan who recently lost her battle to the disease. 'The Road' and the plea for understanding and empathy in a difficult world of 'Be More Kind' echoed across the hall. 

The Sleeping Souls returned for a full throttle end to the set before 'Photosynthesis' signalled the end.....ish of the night. A short break and the band and Frank came back on to tackle the title track from the latest album, 'Undefeated' and then go screaming into the night with 'Polaroid Picture', 'Get Better' and finishing at 100 miles an hour anthem 'Four Simple Words'. Frank indulged in a little crowd surfing, the supporting bands were on stage and 10,000 people bounced their last bounce before the confetti cannons showered up with, umm, confetti! As the lights came up, all 3000 shows scrolled across the screens and Busted's ‘Year 3000’ played with the word "year" being dubbed over by Frank saying (not singing!) "show". Fantastic. 

This show has been 21 years in the making and I would hate to think how many countries visited and miles travelled. Whether solo shows, duo's with Matt or full band setups, 3000 is a mighty impressive number by any means and this was a great way to mark it. While show #2000 in Nottingham Rock City felt like gathering of close friends and family, this was more like a full on parade through the heart of London to mark the occasion with a set of songs that ensured all who were present, sang, danced and bounced along. 

Frank and the band gave everything, as they do every time they step on the stage. Nothing was left out there on stage  on this huge emotional night where Frank fans from all over the world gathered to celebrate in the only way they know how. The setlist was a perfect mix of foot to the floor punk and powerful acoustic folk and nobody could have left disappointed. As we trundled off to our planes trains and automobiles for our journeys home it was with a spring in our step and a smile on our face as we felt grateful to have shared such as special night with 10,000 friends. 

Words and Pictures by Glenn Morrison