nick pickles music photographer

I won’t deny that I wish I could have shot more than the first song, but in a sense it was a blessing as it meant for the remaining 18 tracks all I had to do was drink beer and enjoy myself. And with acoustic/piano renditions of Airbag, Black Swan, Cymbal Rush and True Love Waits, enjoy myself I did. One of the best gigs I’ve ever seen, without doubt.

If you haven’t seen the videos, they are over here and well worth a look. The new songs were, as you’d expect, a real mix and new track ‘Give up the Ghost’ was a particular standout.

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A bit of a last-minute shoot for the Guardian this, but pleased I could do it - managed to grab five minutes for some portraits before watching the live show. It’s always nice to have a beer and enjoy decent support acts, then Japandroids really impressed me. Sharp, well-crafted songs with much more depth than you might expect from a guitar and a drum kit.

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Yes, I have now seen Mika twice. Enough. In fairness he puts on a good show, but not exactly sure how the parents accompanying the many youngsters to the gig felt when Mika swore several times in the first few songs. Still, if that wasnt rock’n'roll enough, during the second song (the one about a fat bird) they unveilled a giant inflatable - which from where I was standing looked distinctly fallic.

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Homecoming gigs are always a bit special, and this certainly did not dissapoint. Despite the band worrying they might have to cancel the gig when Craig woke up without a voice, in the end it was one of those shows where you look back and wonder just how good it was. Surely not as good as you think? Well, for anyone who had overindulged at the bar I can safely say it was exactly that good.

From the rousing, anthemic ‘Borders’ and ‘Commercial Breakdown’ to newer tracks like ‘The Messiah’ or ‘Nobody’s coming to save you’ it was amazing to watch a venue go from Oasis-like passion, to the kind of dancing normally seen in nightclubs and finally end on the kindov euphoric comedown seen at Glasvegas gigs, it illustrated just how broad a reach the Sunshine Underground have. It may have taken them a few years to get round to the second record, but with a live show like this boy was it worth the wait.

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Amazing to think a year ago Hot Chip sold out the Academy at 24 quid a ticket, yet tonight they didnt manage to come close at £16 a go. Funny what having a big single can do for you.

Still, it’s the loss of everyone who didn’t attend. Their new record, One Life Stand, has some immense tunes on it and from the older songs - No Fit State, Boy from School - to the more recent One Pure Thought and Hand Me Down Your Love - the whole gig bounced along like the best kind of disco.

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I should admit now before this gig I had no idea who these guys were - I was on the train home when I got a call asking if I could shoot the gig for a national, so I ended up driving back to my flat to get my kit, then to leeds for the gig. As it turned out I was really glad I did - the support band (who I dont think have a name) were from australia and were like a slightly beardier version of the shins, and Beach House are just ace. Some top tunes and much more depth than you’d expect from a band with no bassist. Only thing that slightly spoiled it was the absence of any light whatsoever, so I had to flash it.

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Once again a band opt for the zero front lighting approach, and rather than looking like the fun-go-happy band they are, Vampire Weekend end up looking like, well, vampires. Oh Well. Must admit I quite enjoyed this lot - they seemed to be a bit wishy washy when I saw them at Leeds festival, but in a smaller venue they came across as a pretty good band, in the same vein as Death Cab for Cutie - not at risk of a mosh pit breaking out, but some great and very sincere tunes to sing along with, and even have a bit of a dance.

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The NME tour has produced some great line-ups over the years, and 2010 was no exception. I have happily admitted before I love the Maccabees, so seeing them again was great, but I also was really excited about seeing the Big Pink, who made a really great record last year, and The Drums, who I’ve heard a great deal about. Bombay Bicycle Club completed the lineup, and although I saw them at Glastonbury they turned out to be the surprise package of the evening - amazing how well they filled the academy, and got the crowd going with songs that at first listen dont appear to be your average pub anthems.

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At last year’s Kerrang! tour, the singer of Mindless Self Indulgence pulled me on stage mid-song, so it’s fair to say this years tour had lots to live upto. Plus, MSI are actually a decent band, with a pretty different sound and great stage act. So imagine my dissapointment to discover the tour had been taken over this year by seeming american emo-pop bands, not too far removed from busted with more angsty lyrics.

The Blackout weren’t bad, but both Young Guns and All Time Low bored the arse off me. Enough said.

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Eesh, I’m behind with me blogging!

Not much to say from this gig really - other than apparently it was the only date on the tour he decided to wear a cap, which meant nearly all my photos have his eyes in shadow. Rubbish.

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