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It’s a rare occasion in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) when an international artist is booked to play. It’s even rarer to have them over for an intimate charity gig at a newly renovated venue in the centre of the city. This is what the lucky people of Saigon received when Frank Turner brought his brand of foot-stomping, hip shaking, sing-a-long folk punk to the stage at Q4 on Sunday night.
Mingling with the crowd before his set and watching the brilliant local warm up acts Bicycle Thief, Time Keeper and White Noiz, beer in hand, Frank Turner seems exactly as his songs suggest, the down to earth man of simple pleasures who is enjoying the opportunities life is throwing at him, and handling them like a true gentleman.
Sauntering through the crowd and picking up his guitar, just like at your local’s open mic night, he flew straight into a mix of old favourites and new bangers. ‘Prufrock’ and new tune ‘Recovery’ had the crowd pointing to the sky and swaying along, whilst the self-deprecating plea for action of ‘Try This At Home’ brought fancy footwork and smiles to the now swinging crowd at the front.
Frank Turner is an act who doesn’t just encourage crowd participation, his presence demands it. Sections were singing and everybody was air-harmonicaing along to ‘Dan’s Song’ and ‘The Road’ brought the house down with extra emphasis for the ex-pat crowd of ‘To the East!’
He is no stranger to Asia but being on stage, in a city he had visited years ago but never played and having the crowd be fully involved, is a credit to a man who captures hearts and minds wherever he goes with his honest lyrics and catchy melodies.
As a homage to his Record Store Day release last year, White Noiz had rehearsed ‘Somebody to Love’ and Frank of course gladly accepted their offer to finish the show with their full bands backing. White Noiz’s blistering female vocals, heavy drum beat and Franks thundering voice were a perfect finish to a perfect show, an extremely long time coming to a city crying out for exciting music. There could not have been a better bloke to inject some interest in the Saigon music scene, Frank Turner Cam On (Thank you)!
Below: Frank Turner loses his beard for Movember and cancer awareness
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