Frank Turner vows to play Reading & Leeds Festivals

Reading Festival 2013

Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th August 2013
Little Johns Farm, Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8EQ, England MAP
£202.50 - SOLD OUT

Daily capacity: 90,000

Last updated: Mon 12th Aug 2013

Frank Turner has vowed to make his appearance at Reading and Leeds Festivalafter an aggravated back injury even if he has to do them in a wheelchair.

The 'Recovery' singer went in for an operation on Friday for complications with his back tweeting, "One deeply unimpressed physiotherapist ("you do how many shows a year? You jump off what?!") later, I'm in for the epidural. Yikes."

The day before Frank wrote a statement on his website, where he explained a slight issue with his back that started in June has become something he has to deal with now. He explained that being in hospital for a spinal epidural shot means there was no way he could play the European Pukkelpop, Gampel or Highfield Festivals last weekend weekend.

However the singer added that his appearances at Reading and Leeds will go ahead, with his team working on a plan to make sure that the show goes on. His full stamtent on his website says,

"To quote Black Flag, “I am not a machine”. 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.

Anyone who knows me even vaguely will know that, as well as being in a fair amount of pain, I’m filled with rage at my puny weakling back for letting me down, not to mention all the people at the shows. I can only humbly apologise.

Hopefully I can sort this issue now and going forward I’ll be fine to keep touring til I’m old and gray. 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 goddamn 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."

Reading and Leeds Festivals happen over the bank holiday weekend, from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th August with a limited number of tickets still available for Leeds Festival.

Tickets for Reading have sold out. Weekend tickets for Leeds are priced at £202.50 including camping, day tickets (where available) are priced at £90.00. Early entry permits are priced at £15.00, with campervan permits priced at £60, and lockers £16. Reading car parking is priced at £5.

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Children under 13 (12 and under) are admitted free but MUST be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Please note there is no separate children's area at this event, and eFestivals considers this an event not really suitable for small children.

The festival line-up includes UK festival exclusive headliners Green Day, Eminem, and Biffy Clyro, plus UK festival exclusive performances from Fall Out Boy, System Of A Down and Deftones, as well as Nine Inch Nails, Phoenix, Knife Party, Skrillex, Major Lazer, Azealia Banks, Foals, Jake Bugg, Bring Me The Horizon, Fall Out Boy, Alt-J, Deftones, Frank Turner, A$AP Rocky, The Strypes, Disclosure, The 1975, The Blackout, Theme Park, Hadouken!, Palma Violets, Twin Atlantic, Chase & Status, Haim, Peace, Deap Vally, Sub Focus, and more.

Reading Festival takes place at Little Johns Farm, Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, and Leeds Festival takes place at Bramham Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire. For the line-up details, and stage splits, where available, please click here for Reading, and click here for Leeds.

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