Frank Turner announces break from touring after final Lost Evenings: “I genuinely don’t know when I’ll play

Frank Turner has announced that he will step away from touring after the final edition of his Lost Evenings festival in 2027, saying he “genuinely” does not know when he will perform live again.

• READ MORE: Frank Turner talks new single ‘Girl From The Record Shop’ and the importance of spaces to share music.

The singer-songwriter confirmed yesterday (September 27) that the 10th and final Lost Evenings will take place at London’s OVO Arena Wembley from November 4-7, 2027.

He has now followed the announcement with a lengthy statement explaining that the four Wembley dates will also be his final concerts “for the foreseeable future”.

Turner stressed that he is looking forward to what comes next and outlined a combination of personal and industry-related reasons for taking the extended break.

He continued: “It’s also worth saying that the economics of touring have gotten harder, the music industry has been swallowed by social media in a way that doesn’t really interest me, and as I get older my physical and mental health could do with some care.

Truly, though, I’m excited for the future.”.

Turner added that he wanted to “leave the stage with my head high”, describing the Wembley shows as an opportunity “for all of us to celebrate the last 20 years and bid them the farewell they deserve”.

He went on to thank his long-standing backing band The Sleeping Souls, his label Xtra Mile, his touring crew and those who have worked on his music, before reserving his greatest thanks for his fans.

Concluding the statement, Turner made clear that the decision is an indefinite hiatus from live performance rather than an announcement of permanent retirement.

Lost Evenings X will bring Turner’s festival back to the city where he first launched it at the Roundhouse in 2017, following subsequent editions in Boston, Berlin, Anaheim, Toronto, Edinburgh and Dallas.

Turner and The Sleeping Souls will headline each of the four nights at Wembley with a different set, while the festival will also feature the Nick Alexander Stage for emerging artists and a daytime programme of panels, workshops and other events.

The full line-up is yet to be announced.

The shows will also mark a return to the venue where Turner played his first headline arena concert in 2012.

Tickets for Lost Evenings X go on general sale at 10am on Wednesday (September 30). An artist pre-sale is already under way, while a Live Nation and venue pre-sale begins at 10am tomorrow (September 29).

£1 from each weekend ticket will be donated through PLUS1 to The Ally Coalition, The Nick Alexander Music Trust and Way Out Arts.

Turner has long been a prominent campaigner for the survival of the UK’s grassroots live sector. In 2024, he called for a £1 levy on arena and stadium tickets to support small venues, and later committed £1 from every ticket sold for his 2025 UK tour to the Music Venue Trust.

He also broke the world record for the most shows played in 24 hours in May 2024, performing 15 gigs in 15 towns to support independent venues and record shops.

Turner’s 10th and most recent studio album, ‘Undefeated’, was released in May 2024 and marked his return to independent label Xtra Mile after a decade with a major.

The world's defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking what's new and what's next since 1952.

When you purchase through affiliate links on NME.com, you may contribute to our site through commissions. Learn More.

NME Networks, a part of Caldecott Music Group. All rights reserved.