BBC Radio 1′s Big Weekend

Posted by paul - 01/06/10 at 02:06:14 pm

In Bangor of all places, Swindon last year, least you can’t say they’re predictable.

Didn’t get much chance to wander round the site, not my usual flitting from stage to stage festival antics. Didn’t even enter the introducing tent, due in part to my only unshot bands this year and due to no pit.

No was pretty much main stage for most of the first day, we had to be escorted each time, which I prefer to be honest.

30 Seconds To Mars

So 30 Seconds To Mars were up first nice hair.

So, basically we mostly got 1 and a half songs if there were a big group of us, which was fine really, what with the ace lighting, plus made it easier to move around.

Florence + The Machine

There weren’t many bands I wanted to shoot really on the first day, Justin Bieber anyone?.

Was cool to shoot Florence again though, I missed shooting Hadouken sadly, due to Buggy unavailability, did I tell you about the buggys?

I don’t understand the press call, I just stood back and looked on as dozens of photographers and hundreds of flashes surely damaging retinas of the popstars stood in a small tent infront of a logo board.

Not for me, I’m all about the live shooting, maybe thats why I’m broke. Each to their own I guess.

Biffy Clyro

This is what perplexed me the most about the other photographers, don’t get me wrong most of them were sound people, I’m not having a go at all, I’m just befuddled as to why there were only three of us shooting Biffy Clyro and Crystal Castles, surely pictures would be sellable?

Oh well all the more space and full three songs for us.

Crystal Castles

Now this was mental, very scary when Alice was looking down the lens. Easily rank up there with my favourite bands to shoot.

Security were great, but it was sods law when one decided to tap me on the shoulder as Alice jumped off the drum kit, to warn me of impending doom once she enters the pit. Nah just had to stand on the tv camera spot and shoot from there as she entered the crowd. Never seen anyone be helped into the crowd before.

Buggy, yes buggy rides to the ‘In New Music We Trust’ stage were fun, zipping past the likes of Vernon Kay(who was everywhere I looked) and Fearn Cotton.

No Shaken Udder stall though, epic festival fail in my book, Aero mint choc smoothie, mmmmmm, Strawberry shortcake smoothie, mmmmmm.

Paramore

Perfect example of a band altering my opinion upon seeing them live. I knew they were going to be ace to shoot, but I would have laughed if you told me they would have over 200 plays on my last.fm list since the festival.

Seems like I’ve moaned alot, but I did enjoy the festival, was weird to be out of my element with shooting folk I’d never go out of my way to shoot JLS, Cheryl Cole et al, Rihanna’s stage show was great though.

Bring on the next one, possibly overseas, fingers crossed.

For more pics including Dizzee, Lost Prophets, MGMT, Justin bieber and the rest of the Big Weekend click here.

My Year In Pictures 2009 Part Two

Posted by paul - 14/01/10 at 02:01:42 pm

July

Editors

FESTIVALS! Hop Farm and Truck to be precise. Hop Farm was a lovely festival but the security problems (being the security) really puts me off going again.

Aside from that it was great to meet so many ace photographers and the PR team. Highlights being the 3rd stage tent with bands like Fight Like Apes, JoFo, Dananananaykroyd, British Sea Power and Joy Formidable among others.

Ash and Editors on the main stage were amazing, also seeing Neville Southall play again was an honour.

Many more Hop Farm pictures on Flickr here.

The Ghost Of A Thousand

My second Truck festival was even better than last years, headliners were certainly better being Ash and Supergrass. lots of meeting of awesome people new and old, well not old but already known.

It was an honour to shoot Damo Suzuki on the Truck stage and A Place To Bury Strangers did their bit to move deafness forward.

Shot the XX in a tiny bumblebee tent, squashy, Sky Larkin were great and Thomas Truax brought Truck to an end for myself, no words to describe him, well eccentric springs to mind.

Lovely 12 hour journey home through night and morning.

Complete Truck set on Flickr here.

August

Jarvis Cocker

August was all about the Greenman, third time for myself. Always a bit more special with a massive bunch of friends in attendance on stage and off.

Flitting between stages missing half a set of bands I love to shoot other bands I love, yeah its clash tastic at Greenman.

Highlights include Grizzly Bear, Jarvis Cocker who I never expected to be so funny, British Sea Power who should have headlined.

Also ace were James Yuill, Meilir, Beach House, Emmy The Great, Bright Light Bright Light and She Keeps Bees.

The Comedians who had kids in the front row past midnight did an amazing job in not letting them affect their performance, think they made them even more vulgar, ace.

Heap of Greenman photoage on Flickr here.

Also travelled down to the Cardiff Barfly to shoot and see the Northwestern, who were born out of Hope Of The States, sound was woeful but they were cracking.

September

Imelda May

Quiet month September was, recovery I guess, I did head down the road to Central Station in town for Imelda May.

Same place for Theoretical Girl who was very good but lighting was very poor.

October

Gallops

October was venue hopping festival month. But before that I shot the Big Pink before heading up to Manchester for In The City.

Did’nt meet as many people as last years but still had a great time, shot the first of Gallops two gigs in one night before legging it to the Warehouse Project for Groove Armada, way better lighting than my first time there.

Missed Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster as it seemed to be full delegates only, shame but legged it back to continue shooting the DiS night, Frightened Rabbit were incredible.

Other highlights being the Northwestern, Esben and the Witch, Kong, Minnaars and Bright Light Bright Light.

Lowlights missing out on the Drums, Night and Day was full up, fights ensued outside(not including myself). Did’nt help that they were playing on Wednesday night in the Deaf Institute with No Age!!!

Which I could not feasibly make due to Swn Festival being in the same damn week as In The City, awesome but pocket shredding.

In The City photoage here.

Tubelord

So Swn festival in Cardiff, loved shooting in a pub called the Model inn, just run of the mill pub lights but it worked so well see above Tubelord and below.

Strange News From Another Star

Apart from the train breaking down halfway to Cardiff and the distance between The Gate and Chapter venues, Swn was ace. Oh hang on, upgrade hyped bands to bigger venues! Ridiculous having Girls in a tiny wine bar, also missed out on the Drums again, though I had braced myself for such event and did’nt even bother, just about managed to get in for Slow Club who followed Drums.

Slow Club

Slow Club was possibly my favourite gig of the year, great band, magical atmosphere, switch band and atmosphere around if you want.

Though, that opinion may have been different if I would have stayed for Los Campesinos, but I had to leg it (ok, taxi it, mega pocket burns!) back to Clwb Ifor Bach for Beth Jeans Houghton, who I’d also been asked to shoot. In hindsight, of course the reviewer would’nt have left after 3 songs like I did, balls.

Jees Pulled Apart By Horses, whole front row downstairs at Clwb Ifor Bach were photographers, felt a bit guilty so did’nt stay long, must be annoying for band and fans, well they should’nt be so bloody good to see and shoot then.

Jofo and Dananananaykroyd were typically awesome as ever, love the new Chapter Arts Centre, amazing refurb, the theatre room/stage looks great, bit challenging for shooting but in a good way, got some good shots of Marina and the Diamonds and Bright Light Bright Light.

More Swn shots here.

November

Good Shoes

Mainly stayed on home turf, apart from a trip to Telfords Warehouse in Chester to shoot Mitchell Museum who came highly recommended by Adam Walton. I missed them at Swn, Adam liked them so much, he booked them, wise man.

Shot the Automatic, I quite enjoy the heavier material live, and Monster is worth it for the all too brief All Roads Lead To Fault riff.

Good Shoes were really good but suffered from sound problems, Copy Haho stole the show for me.

December

Battles

Unintentionally ended up shooting three big gigs over the course of December that I only intended to shoot one of them.

First up were Battles at the Academy 2, my heart sank when I was told there was no barrier, but thankfully the people at the front were sound and shockingly there were only two photographers(including me).

Battles were ace, drums where literally on the edge of the stage, extremely close, ace new Warp band Nice Nice were amazing, also quite enjoyed Flying Lotus, not really my thing usually.

Placebo

To be honest I only shot Placebo for the supports at the old G-Mex(now called Manchester Central), being Silversun Pickups and the Horrors.

But Placebo were a joy to shoot to be fair, massive stage once the curtains went up, big screens, ace lighting, Horrors were crap to shoot, lighting probably the most dire I’ve had to shoot under, considering it was no flash.

Lovely staff though and met a few nice photographers.

The Ritz was not what I expected, from previous pictures it seemed like a theatre type venue, still its a ace venue all the same, lighting was not great but made the best of it.

Both bands were sublime, support Frightened Rabbit won new fans, Modest Mouse were like mega pop stars to the crowd.

Also shot Rose Elinor Dougall at Telfords Warehouse in Chester, amazing pop songs, rounded off my year with a rammed Gallops gig in Central Station.

Not shot anything in 2010 yet, gigwise anyway. having a bit of a break, gots lots of gig and non gig related stuffs in the pipeline though.

My year in Pictures 2009 Part One

Posted by paul - 10/01/10 at 02:01:03 pm

January

Pulled Apart By Horses

Not many gigs in January but it did involve myself heading down to Cardiff for two nights to shoot Pulled Apart by Horses performing at the Barfly in Cardiff on tour with Sky Larkin and a headline gig at Clwb Ifor Bach for Gallops.

February

Late Of The Pier

Even quieter month with one big gig at the Academy 2 in Manchester to shoot Late Of Pier. Which was amazing but lighting was overwhelmingly bad, made all the worse, of all times to be given the chance to shoot on stage, still a great experience.

March

Chew Lips

Things picked up in March , with myself heading back up to Manchester to shoot three ace bands being Chew Lips, Joy Formidable and Howling Bells at the Club Academy. An aftershow hosted by Joy Formidable at Kro bar was missed due to myself going to the wrong one. But the hour wait for the last train sure was pleasant.

Also shot gigs back home at Central Station including Dananananaykroyd, Grammatics and Rolo Tomassi.

April

The Deathstars

Very little activity in April, not the type of music I listen to but they make for good pictures do The Deathstars playing Central Station in Wrexham.

Also shot at Central were Brakes with support from Voluntary Butler Scheme.

May

Johnny Foreigner

Summertime, the point where it really kicks into gear, many trips up north to Manchester. First of two trips to the Deaf Institute in two days, possibly the coolest and my favourite venue to shoot Johnny Foreigner and Deerhunter respectively.

Deerhunter

This was a rescheduled gig, either due to demand or due to their kindness or both Deerhunter played two shows in one day, as much as I wanted to see their majestic sets twice(which a few different songs were played) I chose the matinee performance so I could get home early.

This month also kicked of Festival season in Salford for Sounds from the Other City festival, all in one street in pubs, cafes and churches, unique venues would be one way to put it. I shot Mercury nominated and should have been winners The Invisible and the rising Lost Knives in a tiny traditional pub. Also second place in the BBC 2010 ‘hotlist’ Marina and the Diamonds in a church with Gallops headlining.

More bands shot in May of note include the La Roux headlined NME Radar tour and my Latest Novel,

June

Doves

A lovely night out in Delamere saw Doves take to the woods for a amazing gig which I only got to see about fives songs of, due to that bloody transport situation which meant I had to leave early.

Still, had  a lovely chicken burger there with some JD sauce on it.

Delphic

Doves were supported in the woods by highly tipped for this year Delphic, I was a bit pleased with this shot.

Pulled Apart By Horses

Somehow, I don’t believe a career beckons in the cleaning trade for James. A typically raucous gig for Pulled Apart By Horses at the Frog and Nightingale in Chester. So the story goes, Tom whilst playing in the crowd, spews up on the floor, carries on playing. Cleaner mops up mid song, puts out the cleaner caution sign. Tom proceeds to kicks it away at some point, James retrieves said sign, where it ends up on his head. Oh yeah the supports included someone in a army helmet with attached mic and an in your face scary punk band, you know, the usual gig.

I also shot Enter Shikari.

Songs of the Decade.

Posted by paul - 08/01/10 at 09:01:58 am

Lets talk about something other than photography shall we, since there will be a moosive review of the year in pictures coming soon.

So here are my songs of the decade in cliche format.

1. Christmas TV – Slow Club

2. Blue Orchid – White Stripes

3. Enemies/Friends – Hope of the States

4. Salt, Pepper And Spinderella – Johnny Foreigner

5. Modern Leper – Frightened Rabbit

6. Never Stops – Deerhunter

7. New York City Cops – The Strokes

8. My Recovery Injection – Biffy Clyro

9. This is the Dream of Win & Regine – Final Fantasy

10. Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues – Mclusky

11. Tij – Battles

12. Rebellion (lies) – Arcade Fire (not on Spotify)

Spotify link if it peruses your fancy Lense Eyes Songs of the Decade

Sŵn Festival Day Three

Posted by paul - 07/01/09 at 12:01:43 pm

Day Three. Sunday 16th November. Various – Cardiff.

Day Three I Stayed around familar parts consisting of the three venues Barfly, Clwb Ifor Bach and Kaz Bar, so I never went to The Gate, looked ace I regret not going, The Point was’nt worth my time or money.

I started off at the Barfly were delays confused causing me to shoot bands I thought were the next band on untill Tubelord came on, got some great pics of them, they were even better than they were at In The City, also matching my jofo t shirt, thankfully it was’nt awkward, we had a giggle. Dananananaykroyd, can’t put into words how excited I was about this gig, crossing my fingers that they’d do the ‘Wall of Cuddles’, the last gig I shot of theirs well did’nt have enough standing people for a wall. I’ve never taken so many shots with flash, got some ace angles and sure enough the ‘Wall of Cuddles’ occured, for those who don’t know they split the crowd down the middle ala the ‘Wall of Death’ but the difference is when the crowd charge at each other their only weapons are cuddles, what band can get a crowd to do this? I am very pleased with the shots of the ‘Wall of Cuddles’, i did’nt think i’d get any good ones the first time with not knowing exactly what to expect.

The School were good in a retro pop way, my pics reflect that I think especially the high contrast mono’s at Clwb Ifor Bach, soon made my way across the road for Josh Weller, what hair! sorry had to get that in first, great music though had a fair few feet tapping.

Skatar, er neon lycra pants? yes I were scared and hoping not to be scarred for life, but when the singer explains how they forgot something once when they had arrived at a venue and got their manager to arrange for them to pick said items up, turned it were their lycra pants!, its this moment that I realise it just makes perfect sense.

Pulled Apart By Horses at the Kaz Bar, oh dear they were’nt prepared for this lot, had a ball shooting them, funniest moment would be a photographer I’d chatted to, so I knew he liked heavier stuff, proceed to mosh with the band and crowd with camera in one hand, look forward to shooting them again at Clwb Ifor Bach next year. Agaskodo Teliverek were weird and wonderfull downstairs at Clwb Ifor Bach then I went upstairs for the headliners Future of the Left, my flash went on the blink again, I had to wait ages for the flash to fire up after each shot, tried a few non flash. For some reason I decided to leave to catch the end of Micachu and the Shapes, as I’d missed them before at In The City, really regret this now, only caught one song and missed when it all kicked off at the Future of the Left gig, oh well I know for next time if I get the chance to shoot a whole FOTL gig.

Sŵn better than In the City? band wise easily, fun times well evens really, met some ace people at In The City and at Sŵn made a few good contacts, Cardiff though wins out over Manchester City wise, but then again the hotel may have been smarter but it sucked. Still I will surely be going again to both next year.


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