Some of their fans had been outside the venue from 7am and others passed out before the end of the first song. One of those gigs where you keep facing forwards and hope nobody sees you.
The Maccabees live at the O2 Academy Brixton, January 2012
January 27th, 2012
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Definitely not the best lit gig I’ll shoot this year, but quite possibly the best band.
Bringing their latest effort, Given to the Wild, to the kind of expansive venue it deserves paid off with some genuinely majestic moments – the classics First Love and No Kind Words sitting perfectly alongside Wild, Went Away and the best song of 2012 so far, Pelican.
Capping it all off with an epic Grew Up at Midnight, this is a band who may take a few years longer than their peers to put out their albums, but in doing so have crafted a unique and endearing sound as captivating as any other band I know.
Valentines Day at Home
December 21st, 2011
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Every holiday is a bit different on the surface and underneath. For instance, Christmas may often appear to be all about decorations and gift giving. However, for most people the true value in holiday lies in bringing family and friends together (as well as, for many people, religious meaning). In much the same way, it is important to keep in mind the real point of Valentine’s Day as you begin to plan this year’s holiday with your loved one. Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it, and it’s not all about dressing in red and writing cards. Really, it’s about setting time and effort aside to create a special time and memory with the person you love. So, here are a few suggestions on how to accomplish this without simply writing a card and exchanging hugs and kisses.
Crisis Stand up and Rock, live at Hammersmith Apollo, December 2011
December 21st, 2011
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Once again, it was a pleasure to be able to support Crisis at Christmas and help out with their photography. A great mix of comedy and music made for a different photographic challenge – switching between solo performers lit by 3 spot lights to Graham Coxon lit by none proved interesting, but he and Paul Weller added a festive kick to the comedy punch.
Crisis’ campaign this year aims to provide three hot meals for 2,800 homeless people – it costs just £23.39 to provide one place at the event, and you can pledge your support here.
White Lies live at Wembley Arena, December 2011
December 18th, 2011
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Well working a White Lies gig on a Saturday night might not be the most exciting thing to do a week before Christmas, but at least they had fireworks. Still have a few decent tunes and pretty impressive to pretty much sell out Wembley Arena after two records.
Coldplay live at the O2, London, December 2011
December 10th, 2011
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The last time I’d shot Coldplay was the two tiny Crisis shows last December so seeing their huge stage set up at the O2 was quite a change. Definitely the first time that I’d had to try shoot around huge rubber balls bouncing round the venue, and Chris only briefly ventured down the runway at the end of the third song, but as ever a well lit gig and a band giving it their all.
Machine Head live at Wembley Arena, December 2011
December 8th, 2011
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Another Wembley gig, more metal. And the first time I’ve ever seen a photographer (female) willingly let her boob be felt by someone on the front row of the crowd. Fully lot these metal kids. The gig was somewhere between a roadie convention and a tattoo competition, and the band were very, very loud.
Alter Brige live at Wembley Arena, November 2011
December 8th, 2011
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Tis the season for hairy rockers it seems! No idea who Alter Bridge are, but they pack some quality gurning and meaty riffs into a great big fest of head-banging. Not sure about the tunes though…
Tinie Tempah live at Wembley Arena, November 2011
December 8th, 2011
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My first gig as house music photographer at Wembley Arena – not Tinchy Temper as I thought at first, but some other bloke in a strange combination of a onesie and a pair of shell suit overalls.