Frank Turner has been forced to pull a slew of European festival shows due to a persistent back problem – but he still plans to fulfill his booking at the Reading/Leeds events later this month.
“To quote Black Flag, ‘I am not a machine,'” Turner has written on his official site. “Dammit. Ever since Bonnaroo Festival (back in June) I’ve had a slight issue with my back. As of last weekend, 30 something shows later, it’s become a serious thing, and despite my best efforts to ignore it, bully it into submission or just punk rock through the whole thing, it’s a problem I need to deal with.”
“My doctor has sent me in for a spinal epidural shot tomorrow, which means there is no way I can play at Pukkelpop, Gampel or Highfield Festivals this weekend.”
Declaring his intention to be fit and firing for Reading/Leeds this August bank holiday weekend, Turner then continued:
“Speaking of the future, people coming to Hatfield, Reading and Leeds need not worry – the shows will go ahead, we are working on a plan, and if I have to do them in a wheelchair I will. Everyone in my team, from the Sleeping Souls on down, are being really great about making sure that the show goes on. Thanks for your patience and good wishes.”