Ólafur Arnalds performs his latest album with the RNCM Symphony Orchestra at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
Not my usual gig shoot, first time in a long while that I’ve been nervous. Didn’t feel I shot enough to be honest, would have liked to have got more close shots of the RNCM Symphony Orchestra. It was tough trying to keep my shutter clicking unheard during the louder parts of the songs(there aren’t many!). Really could have done with one of those shutter muffler kits.

I enjoyed the show, never seen an Orchestra live before, Arcade Fire I guess wouldn’t count.

For more Ólafur Arnalds shots click here or on the pictures.

Date: 01/07/10

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.

Hurts, possibly the worst band I’ve ever seen, I wasn’t sure when I heard them on the wireless, but yeah, the room agreed too as it emptied at an alarming rate.

Before they went on, after a very long, long changeover, I noticed they’d brought their own lights, cool. Only problem being they were the only lights used, nailing exposure was a major pain in the arse.

No such musical issues with Everything Everything, though little to no front lighting. So yeah I whinge alot, but its only because as soon as the 4th song, without fail, its like Blackpool, pisstake.

I did enjoy this shoot, hard as it maybe to believe, as for a change each band brought about a different light setup.

Camera                                                                                 Darwin Deez

Local act Camera were on their usual high form, but the night truly belonged to Darwin Deez and their highly fun shenanigans from push-ups to pre-song dance routines and their amazing Broadway dance off.

For full sets click here.

Jumped at the chance to shoot LCD Soundsystem at the Academy in Manchester.

Will be one of only a few opportunities to shoot LCD before they finish, which made it even more difficult to leave half way through due to those pesky trains. NEED TO DRIVE.

There was only myself and another tog there, strange, I was the only one there for Passion Pit in the same venue a while back.

Cursing the light tech for the first two songs, but finally some front lights came on for the third song, Daft Punk, ace.

Hopefully catch them at a festival, for more LCD shots click here.

View more Seth Lakeman shots here.