The NME says he was merely re-enacting Kurt Cobain’s “iconic” entrance from when Nirvana played the Reading & Leeds Festival back in 1992, and astute fans suggest the stunt simply reflects his recent back woes, but Frank Turner might have ruffled some feathers this evening when he appeared on-stage sitting in a wheelchair.
The folk-punk singer/songwriter wasn’t hobbled for long, and quickly sprang up to launch into his set, which started with “If I Ever Stray.”
Derek Bremner of the NME caught this photo:
Despite the NME’s claim that Turner was innocently raising a glass to Nirvana — we told you earlier in the week about this Nirvana fever going around — some people aren’t feeling it.
Others, however, have chimed in to note that Turner has been suffering from severe back issues, citing this recent post about his spinal epidural. Seems legit.
But reaction from his Friday night display was swift and fierce…
To put it plainly, EFF Frank Turner coming on in a wheelchair and then leaping up out of it.
— Laura Snapes (@laurasnapes) August 23, 2013
TWAT RT @NME: @frankturner onstage at Reading in a wheelchair tribute to Kurt Cobain. Photos> http://t.co/S5Y12SO2jm pic.twitter.com/FYUc1BfIQS
— Jordan (@jordanlovellA) August 23, 2013
hahahahaha, Frank Turner, you dick.
— Peter Neesam (@TSOPTC) August 23, 2013
Dear Frank Turner, why not pay tribute to Kurt Cobain properly, by shooting yourself in your big stupid mouth? #reading #wheelchair #idiot
— j.r. moores (@spinal_bap) August 23, 2013
@crablin I like that Frank Turner is something we can be neggy about together.
— Gareth David (@grthdvd) August 23, 2013
The “back issue” defenders were also out in full force. We’re sure Turner will clear this up shortly.
@vMichaelv @Vanyaland617 could be he's also saying that he's better after back issues made him cancel a bunch of shows last week.
— Alison DeWolfe (@AlisonDeWolfe) August 23, 2013
@vMichaelv @Vanyaland617 He's been having back problems. His Twitter has a lot of notes about it–he was in the hospital even.
— Annie Zaleski (@anniezaleski) August 23, 2013