Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls Announce Extensive Spring 2025 UK Tour Behind ‘Undefeated’ Album

Veteran British folk-punk troubadour Frank Turner and his long-standing band, The Sleeping Souls, have announced their highly anticipated return to the United Kingdom touring circuit. The group is set to embark on a comprehensive headline tour across the nation in April 2025, marking a significant series of dates in support of Turner’s acclaimed tenth studio album, titled “Undefeated.” This extensive run of performances follows a dynamic start to the year for Turner and the band, including recent engagements with international audiences through concerts in Mexico and a notable performance earlier in 2025 as part of the annual BRITs Week events, supporting the charity War Child. The upcoming UK tour underscores the band’s enduring connection with their home audience and their commitment to presenting their latest musical output in a live setting.

Tour Itinerary and Strong Demand

The “Undefeated” UK tour is slated to commence its journey on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, kicking off with a performance at NX Newcastle. The itinerary maps out a route through some of the UK’s key musical hubs, featuring appearances at prominent Academy-sized venues. These venues, known for their substantial capacity while maintaining a degree of intimacy, are ideal for showcasing the band’s renowned energetic live performance. Confirmed major city stops currently include Liverpool, Manchester, and Leeds. The tour is designed to cover a significant geographical spread of the country, culminating in a final UK performance at the historic Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone.

This spring UK tour serves as a precursor to a subsequent tour planned for the United States in May, highlighting the band’s continuous global touring efforts. The initial response from the fanbase has been exceptionally strong, with the tour’s popularity immediately translating into significant demand for tickets. Reports indicate that six of the announced UK dates have already sold out completely, signalling the fervent anticipation for Turner and The Sleeping Souls’ return.

“Undefeated”: A Tenth Album Milestone

The core purpose of this tour is to celebrate and perform material from “Undefeated,” the tenth studio album released by Frank Turner in May 2024. Achieving a tenth studio album is a notable milestone in any artist’s career, and “Undefeated” arrived to positive critical attention, building upon Turner’s reputation for insightful songwriting and compelling musical arrangements. Reviewers noted the album’s distinct character; Kerrang! magazine lauded it as “a jovial blast of defiance,” capturing its spirited energy and perhaps its refusal to yield to pressures or expectations. Similarly, Silent Radio characterized the work as “a declaration of resilience,” pointing towards themes of steadfastness, endurance, and inner strength that resonate throughout the tracks. This critical reception establishes “Undefeated” as a significant chapter in Turner’s discography and provides a rich source of material for the upcoming live shows.

Self-Production and Band Dynamics

“Undefeated” holds a unique place in Frank Turner’s recording history, as it marks the first instance where he took on the role of sole producer for one of his albums. This decision allowed for a deeply personal and hands-on approach to the creative process. The recording sessions took place within the familiar and personal environment of his home studio, located on Mersea Island in Essex. This choice of location likely contributed to the album’s authentic feel and allowed for maximum creative freedom.

Crucially, the album features the full lineup of his dedicated live band, The Sleeping Souls, integrated directly into the studio recording process. The band consists of Ben Lloyd on guitar, Tarrant Anderson providing basslines, Callum Green on drums, and Matt Nasir contributing piano and keyboard arrangements. Recording “Undefeated” with his touring band was a deliberate choice aimed at capturing the dynamic energy and tight musical interplay that has been honed through countless live performances together over the years. This approach ensures that the album’s sound closely mirrors the powerful and cohesive unit audiences experience on stage.

Creative Process and Diverse Influences

Reflecting on the creative journey behind “Undefeated,” Frank Turner has discussed the unique perspective gained from crafting a tenth studio album at the age of 42. This stage in his career allowed for contemplation on his extensive body of work while simultaneously exploring new sonic territories. Turner revealed a diverse and compelling array of musical influences that provided inspiration during the writing and recording process. These influences span several genres and eras, including the raw energy of punk legends Black Flag and Descendents, the emotive storytelling of rock band Counting Crows, the traditional instrumentation and spirit of Irish folk group The Pogues, and the sharp lyricism and political edge of acclaimed singer-songwriters Elvis Costello and Billy Bragg. This broad spectrum of influences suggests a record that is rich in texture, drawing upon punk rock’s urgency, folk music’s narrative depth, and singer-songwriter introspection. The blend of these diverse sounds likely contributes to the album’s described “jovial defiance” and “declaration of resilience.”

Support from Amigo The Devil

Audiences attending the upcoming UK tour dates will have the opportunity to see dark folk songwriter Amigo The Devil perform as the main support act. Amigo The Devil, the stage name of Danny Kiranos, is known for his distinctive musical style that blends elements of folk, country, and dark, often morbid, lyrical themes delivered with a captivating, intense energy. His inclusion on the tour bill offers a compelling contrast and complement to Frank Turner’s performance.

This upcoming collaboration marks a reunion on the road for the two artists, as Amigo The Devil previously toured extensively with Frank Turner on his remarkable “50 States in 50 Days” tour across the United States in 2022. His return to support The Sleeping Souls on the UK stage is anticipated to provide a memorable opening to each evening’s performance.

Anticipation Builds for Spring Tour

The announcement of the April 2025 UK headline tour represents a significant moment for Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls and their dedicated fanbase. As they bring the songs from their milestone self-produced album, “Undefeated,” to stages across the country, the tour highlights the band’s ongoing vitality and connection with their audience. The strong initial ticket sales, with six dates already sold out, underscore the continued popularity and anticipation surrounding their live performances. This tour is poised to be a highlight of the UK’s spring music schedule, reinforcing Frank Turner’s status as one of the nation’s most respected and energetic live artists.