Well, it had to end at some point and day 4 marked the last of the festivities for this year’s Lost Evenings Festival.

I’ll be honest, the day got off to a rough start, thanks to the DJ set hosted by Frank at the Underworld the previous night. But after some coffee and paracetamol, I was up and running, ready for one last day of get togethers and good times.

On a personal note, I cannot let the weekend go by without giving a mention to the Solo Armada, a wonderful group of individuals who come together around gigs and events, to make sure those going alone can find someone to chat to and hang out with. There’s been lots of talk about expanding and make the SA something official post LE, keep your eyes on their website, and join the Facebook group to find out more. If it wasn’t for these guys, I wouldn’t know some of the people I now consider friends.

The reason I mention these guys is because, shortly after getting to Camden, it started pouring with rain and my plan for a morning wonder around the market was put on hold. But that was no bother, as a meet up had already been sorted over at The Lock. It meant I had somewhere to go to catch up with people, both old friends and new.

There was one more cool event before the main show, an amazing acoustic set from Johnny and Rich from PET NEEDS, at the Camden Assembly. If seeing the band twice over the weekend wasn’t enough, getting one extra show from these two was just the icing on the PET NEEDS cake. If you weren’t there, don’t worry! We have the whole performance (well, the three songs they played) over on our Instagram TV! We also chatted to the band the day before, check that out here.

Then over to the roundhouse for the last time of the event. Unfortunately, for this last night I was flying the TrueStyleMusic flag solo, this meant I had to get both photos and reviews by myself. So for the supports, I apologies if my thoughts are limited, but I hope it still gives you an idea of what the night brought.

Opening up the NA stage one last time was Berries, another Xtramile friend. I know I’ve said this a fair few other times about other bands from the weekend, but why did I not check these guys out sooner? From the one song of their set I managed to catch, they rocked! The crowd was fully on board with what they were playing, and even had a few dedicated fans singing along with the band!

Main stage saw Guise as the Sunday opener. Now I’ve seen Guise three times live now, once solo, once duo and now as a full band. To be completely honest, their music is not for me, but that still doesn’t make them a very enjoyable act to watch, in whatever form of the band it is. Full band is clearly their best performance, and the on stage chemistry between them made it even better. As a band, they just felt like they were in-sync with each other, everyone understanding and working with each member’s vibe.

Back over to NA stage, for Deux Furieuses, who win the award for most mispronounced name of the festival. I only caught about half of their first song, but I can say they were pretty good overall. Sorry I can’t give much more insight into their performance, but if you so want to know more about them, I’d suggest heading over to their website!

Skinny Lister were the last support over on the main stage, bringing their folk-punk style to the max. Anyone who has seen these guys live will tell you that every show they play is much more than just a show, it’s an experience. The band bring their full energy to the stage and crowd, with singer Lorna not standing still for the whole set. There were many crowd singalongs, chants and good times. A pretty good president to what was soon to come on the main stage.

Closing the NA stage for the final time was the wonderful Samantics. Sam is an incredibly talented musician, using his synths, beats, loops, a ukulele and his own voice to create this brilliant song, all live on stage. His songs are deeply personal, and combined with his lyrical genius and words coming out of his mouth quicker than most people form thoughts, this makes Sam my final ‘you-should-go-check-him-out’ recommendation of the festival.

Greatest hits. That was the title for night 4. And what a bunch of greatest hits it was.

Opening up with Get Better, Frank and The Souls came onto that stage and exploded with energy, and the crowd brought just as much back to them. It was also during this song that I got my first Crowd Surfer picture, thanks Stephen for being my willing participant.

1933, the punk version of Little Changer, If Ever I Stray, Out Of Breath and the rock version of Long Live The Queen were all phenomenal songs, back to back. By the end of this run we were all exhausted from the constant dancing!

New song Haven’t been doing so well also featured on the set list, and although it was only released into the world 4 days before, it is quickly making its way into becoming another greatest hit! Followed on by Plain Sailing Weather, Polaroid Picture, The Gathering and Glorious You, the band kept giving and the crowd kept receiving (even if we were shattered from 4 nights of dancing).

Then the band left the stage and we were graced by the presence of Frank alone. There She Is was dedicated to Jess, and was probably the first real tear-jerker of the night. Followed by Thatcher (I won’t use the full song name, for those of you who don’t know Frank it’s a song about cider), was just unreal. It was around this point I just stopping singing, taking pictures and videos, and just stood still and listened. The feeling of being back in that crowd, with people being happy, singing along, just having fun, was something else. Frank Turner shows, especially Lost Evenings, are always something wonderful and amazing, but after the last 18 months, it was everything and more.

The ‘unplugged’ version of Be More Kind was next, with The Way I Tend To Be, and a crowd photo, following on. 5,005 smiling faces and good times going on, this photo just is the whole weekend.

Three more high energy songs – The Next Storm, Try This At Home and I Still Believe were played before the first big finish of the night, and the band left the stage.

Frank came back alone, and after a few words about Lost Evenings, and what this next song means, it was up and being played. Well, Frank played the guitar, but the crowd were left to sing, and seeing the look on the crowd and everyone’s face during that song was enough to break Frank. There were definitely tears and a croak in his voice at the end.

The band were welcomed back onto stage one final time for Photosynthesis, Recovery and full simple words, for once played with the intro. Sadly there was so crowd surfing from Frank due to the C word, but the crowd made up for that by dancing, jumping and singing like there was no tomorrow.

And then that was it. Lost Evenings IV was done. See you next year was the final words from Frank Turner. Rumoured to be heading back to Berlin after it didn’t happen last year, who knows. All I know is I’ll be seeing you all there again next year.

For one last time, I’d like to say a massive thank you to all the artists performing on over the 4 days, the whole crew and Roundhouse staff, the security for keeping everyone safe (and an extra thank you to the Security for giving me a setlist for the last night), Xtra Mile for inviting me along, and of course to everyone who attended, for making it an awesome way to spend 4 days!

Review by Ted Stargatt for TrueStyleMusic

Day three of lost evenings was all about England Keep My Bones, being the 10 year anniversary of the album.  

But first was the wonderful ‘Lunch At The Lock’, hosted by Xtra mile recordings. Throughout the afternoon, we were treated to brilliant acoustic sets from Berries, PET NEEDS and Beans On Toast, who stood in for Johnny Lloyd. I also had the opportunity to ask PET NEEDS a few questions before their set, you can check out our interview here. 

And before any of the evening entertainment at the Roundhouse kicked off, I had the opportunity to attend the Panel with Frank, Matt, Ben, Tarrent and Producer Tristen, hosted by Ian Winwood. An interesting discussion into where the album came from, favourite songs, stories behind them and how the band became who they are today. 

Opening the NA stage was Wilswood Buoys, a fun and incredibly talented acoustic duo. They showcased their skills to the small, but very interested crowd that had gathered to watch. Sadly the clashes meant I couldn’t check out their full set, but I’m lead to believe they kept showcasing even more of their talent. 

Lottery Winners were the first act to take to the main stage of the evening, playing a mix of songs from across their discography, and even capturing more footage for the upcoming video for Much Better. Front man Thom has a stage presence that most bands can only dream of. This time, Frank actually joined them on stage for Start Again. For a more in depth review of The Lottery Winners, have a read of what happened when we saw them in Bristol just last week!

Back over to the NA stage, this time for Morning Crush. I’ve actually known about Tim and his music for about 6 months, since we chatted about his single Peaceful Mind. Another incredible showcase of talent, both as a solo artist and as a full band.  

Up next on the main stage was Nova Twins. A band I was yet to properly check out, these two rocked the stage. From friends, I was told they were a bit heavier live than on their albums, but just like Jamie Lenman on day 2, it was the best way to get the crowd warmed up and let out some built up aggression.  

And then it was onto the (arguably) the main show of the whole weekend. England Keep My Bones is a personal favourite album, and to hear it live and in full was something special for me.  

Frank opened with Sailors Boots, not an opening I was expecting, but nevertheless still awesome, and the crowd was singing along instantly. But then when that opening hum started for I Am Disappeared, the crowd went insane! Followed by One Foot Before The Other, it was non-stop energy and passion, from those on stage and watching. 

It was a first time seeing Pass It Along as a full band for me, and one I think Frank hasn’t played as a full band for a while, as well as To Absent Friends. Although a song about a friend literally leaving, that’s one of those songs that just means so much to many people.  

And with songs like Peggy Sang The Blues, Nights Become Days, Rivers and Wanderlust, you just cannot beat the setlist. 

For the first time this weekend (but I’m not expecting it to be the last, hint hint tonight…), Frank also had Jess on stage doing backing vocals, as well as strings, and even the music legend that is Chris T-T join him and the band for some songs.  

Redemption, Eulogy, I Still Believe and If Ever I Stray were all amazing songs to bring in for the second half, and I don’t there were any still feet across the whole of the roundhouse.  

And to top it all off, Glory Hallelujah brought the night to a close. Although not my first thoughts for a closing song, Frank made it work well and all the crowd loved it. Whatever your beliefs, it was a moment of unity in a year that has felt anything but united.  

Greatest hits tonight, one final time to party and have a good time. 

After the relative calm and easy start to Lost Evenings with a (mostly) acoustic night at the roundhouse, tonight was the first night where we could all properly let off some energy with some loud and dance along music.

Well, actually the first act of the night might not have quite been a full band loud show (on the NA stage), was the wonderful Misery Gutz – but his mum still calls him Charlie. Another new discovery for me, Charlie brought his own special energy and talent to the stage, and one I’ll definitely be seeing live again if I get the chance.

Pet Needs were the first band to perform on Fridays mainstage and opened the show with unrivalled energy. The Band performed songs off of their latest album ‘Fractured Party Music’ which the audience knew almost every line. Front man Johnny bounced across stage like a punk rock exorcism and took obvious enjoyment to the crowds lively response. About halfway through the band stopped to sell their merch through a criticism of hippie culture and the rhetoric ‘music is about the connection not the transaction’. Their on stage banter is certainly amusing, but it would certainly be made a lot better if it wasn’t exactly the same as every show they’ve played. Let’s hope they spice things up a bit when they are on tour with Frank next year.

False Heads were next to grace the NA stage. Unfortunately, due to the stage clashes, we didn’t really get chance to get a proper listen to these guys. However, from the one song we did catch I can say they were full of energy and rocked that little stage like it was a festival headliner – given the chance I think there would have been some stage dives!

Jamie Lenman’s set brought high energy and musical talent to the mainstage. His performance focused less on crowd interaction, yet still had great response from the audience. Lenman’s set was focused on the music and its self-proclaimed aggressive energy as he played for the audience not himself.

Although more loud and ‘metal’ than what Frank fans are used to, Lenman still held his own on that stage. I also have to mention the sheer musical talent of that guy, played like a full 4 piece band with just him and his drummer on stage!

Over to the NA stage one more time, for New Pagans. A band I’ve been meaning to check out for a while (and once sadly had to pass up on the offer to see them live), I can only say what a mistake that was. Another band bringing an insane level of energy with them, these guys rocked out hard. If you do ever get the chance to see these guys live, don’t do what I did, go see them!

And then it was time for the first Frank and the Souls show of the weekend. After coming on stage to an intro that hasn’t been used for a good few years, Frank and the band exploded straight into Live Fast Die Old, an instant crowd singalong. Followed on by Once We Were Anarchists and Back In The Day, it will be hard to top that opener for the rest of the weekend. Credit where credits due, Frank nailed the guitar intro to Back In The Day.

Throughout the rest of the night, we were treated to a whole mix of songs from the first three albums, there was a fair few that it was our first time hearing!

During the set, Frank managed to smash two more guitar solos – Nashville Tennessee and Haven’t Been Doing So Well (we’ll get onto that later). The rest of the Souls played their hearts out, especially new guy Callum, playing a lot of these songs live for the first time.

It is really difficult to put into words just how good this set was, a massive range of songs. That was until the encore.

If you’ve read my reviews before you’ll know how much I hate encores anyway, but in case you haven’t, I think they are a waist of time, just stay on stage and play another song. But this encore just wasn’t right to me.

After the walk off walk on bollocks, Frank told us he was going to play three news songs from FTHC, the new album. It felt as if he was trying too hard to plug the new album -we get it, it’s coming out next year. In a room full of fans who are likely to be buying and listening to it, it felt like a bit of a hijack to a night of the classics.

But anyway, after the new stuff was finished, it was back to four more of the old ones, four more singalong classics, and with all singing all dancing Photosynthesis to end it all for the night.

As always, a massive thanks to all crew and staff working this weekend. Without you guys it would all be nothing.

Lets see what tonight has to bring.

Review by Ted Stargatt and Lottie Williams.

Well, what an opening to day 1 at the roundhouse. After three years away, Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings has returned to its original home in Camden for 4 days of music and good times. Day 1 was an absolute belter of a day, and the perfect way to start the long weekend. 

Officially opening the show was the ever-wonderful Beans On Toast. A Camden legend, he opened proceedings at the Assembly, with a little help from the main man himself. A few singalongs and a few beers were drank, setting the precedence for what was to come.  

Then it was over to the roundhouse for the ‘proper’ acts of the night.

Opening the festival on the Nick Alexander stage was Jess Silk, a singer songwriter from Dudley whose songs were intensely personal, political or a healthy mix of both. She began with two songs off her first album, ‘Blitz Spirit’, were both heavily inspired by the pandemic capturing a longing for community. These songs were released but weeks ago and were met by devoted fans singing along to every lyric. 

Jess Silk performed her songs with personality, dedication, and talent. Notably her songs emphasized what truly matters in life, captured in the song ‘A good pair of boots’. This song, which is an ode to her first pair of Dr Martens, related to much of the boot clad audience. 

Her political songs such as ‘Stranger on the Tube’ affectionately known as ‘Racist Fucker on the Tube’ spread an important message challenging a passive bystander attitude and calling out racist rhetoric such as in the powerful line ‘They wave the flag, but they do not speak for me’. When coupled with her passion she made a strong opening to the festival! 

Beans made a comeback to the main stage, being this years Master of Ceremonies, introducing the acts for the night. And the first introduction this year was the wonderful Emily Barker! 

Bringing her mix of around the world culture, Emily’s music has something in it for nearly everyone. A real mix of styles, Emily sang songs about her home town in Australia, Sister Rosetta (got in before Frank could), and life and everything in between. A brilliant way to open up the main stage for acoustic sets. 

Back over to the NA stage again, this time for two-piece band The Meffs. Hailing for Essex, this independent DIY noisy duo brought an energy like no other to the stage. It was loud, it was angry, it got down to the issues it needed to, it was everything you want, and need from a punk band wanting to make a point. These guys properly got the crowd moving for the first time of the weekend, with jumping around and moshing. Hopefully more of that to come! 

The protest singer, Grace Petrie, performed before Frank turner and Matt Nassir on the main stage. She opened her highly praised political song ‘Farewell to welfare’ and was met by a highly enthusiastic crowd. Her performance was high energy and emotional. 

Following this she performed heartfelt songs such as “inspired by the isolation of the pandemic and feelings of separation with the lyrics ‘I will love you forever and we’ll dance again next year’” capturing a beautiful sense of longing and love. 

Similarly ‘Ivy’ dedicated to her niece conveyed the importance of love and family, within the context of Glastonbury Music Festival. 

Back over the the NA stage for one more time for the evening, this time for Holy Moly and The Crackers! A band I hadn’t really heard of before last night, these guys rocked the stage like no other. As well as being loud and showcasing their awesome talent, I think there was every instrument available on that stage. As well as the classic drums, guitar and bass, there was a violin, accordion and even a trumpet. A true ska-punk band, and one I’m definitely going to be listening to more!

And then it was the main act of the night. Frank Turner and Matt Nasir entered that stage to a thunderous round of applause, and opened with The Gathering. There was no other way he could open really, and instantly the crowd were singing along. From my position in the photo pit, I think the crowd was louder than Frank!  

But what a set it was that followed on! A real mix of old and new, including some songs off the new album FTHC, which was officially announced and went on pre sale yesterday!  

I can’t let this review go by without specifically mentioning a couple of songs that were played. Tattoos, a rarely played song (which Frank did ‘real life Varley’), followed by A Wave Across A Bay (real tear-jerker) and then Romantic Fatigue was a killer three songs in a row. The whole crowd went from having a dance and a laugh, to tears in eyes, and then back to laughing and singing along. For an artist to that well, takes some good skill, and Frank certainly did that.  

After Matt had returned from his ‘union break’, we were treated to a bit of Harmonica on Dan’s Song, another new song (Haven’t Been Doing So Well, also released yesterday), The Opening Act Of Spring and The Way I Tend To Be (both duo classics). Polaroid Picture was another emotional one, not least for me because it was the last Frank song I heard live pre-lockdown, and being back with those people singing that song was something else. 

The penultimate song of the set was Frank and Matt’s classic duo cover, Somebody To Love, joined on stage by Grace and Emily from earlier, who were having an amazing time on stage, which made the whole thing even better. 

And to top it all off, they just had to finish with Get Better. For me, this has been the motto of the last 18 months – we’ve all had difficult times but surrounded by the right people we can get better, because we’re not dead yet! 

Keep your eyes peeled for our round ups over the coming days!

Review By Ted Stargatt and Lottie Williams for TrueStyleMusic