This was one of the most fun gigs I’ve shot in a while.
I’m not a huge fan of the two main bands, New Found Glory and The Blackout, but they were great to photograph.
I am however a huge fan of letlive. I love their music and live they’re easily one of the best bands I’ve ever seen.
First up though were the excellent While She Sleeps…
I have to admit that I was surprised by this gig…
I arrived early on Thursday night to shoot all four bands on the bill… The Devil Wears Prada, Architects, Parkway Drive and headliners, Bring Me The Horizon.
My impression going in was that Bring Me The Horizon were actually my least favourite band on the bill and that, after shooting the first 3 songs, I’d leave and get home fairly early.
That never happened.
All the bands were great. Parkway Drive were a particular highlight for me. But Bring Me The Horizon took me by surprise.
I’ve photographed them a few times before but on this occasion they raised their game and played a superb set which saw band members giving 100% and finishing the encore climbing the Academy balcony (see last photo). 3000 people went suitably nuts.
Here’s a video of the first song of the set… You’ll see me down the front 
Last night I was back at the O2 Academy in Birmingham to shoot two equally great bands for Rock Sound magazine.
I’ve been a fan of Rival Schools since they released their debut album a decade ago so was mainly looking forward to seeing them but I was pleasantly surprised by how fantastic Trail Of Dead were too.
The lighting at the gig was weird. Good one second and appalling the next. Here are a few of my faves from a great gig…
On Friday evening Evelyne & I met up with friends at a fantastic Latin American restaurant in town called Las Iguanas. Highly recommended if you’re ever in Birmingham.
After a great meal we walked around the corner to The O2 Academy where Band Of Horses were about to headline the main room.
Now some of you will know Band Of Horses. Many of you won’t. If you missed my post about my favourite albums of 2010, CLICK HERE and you’ll know I LOVE them. So I was, not only looking forward to seeing them live for the first time, but also photographing them for Birmingham Live!
There were quite a few photographers there and 80% of them were friends of mine It’s been interesting to see other people’s shots from the same gig. And here are a few of my own..
If you haven’t heard the band at all, I suggest you start with The Funeral…
Yesterday I was asked to shoot the Manic Street Preachers for Birmingham’s Express & Star newspaper.
I’m not a massive fan of the band but they do have some good songs and the lighting was way better than I expected so I’m pretty pleased with the images I brought home. This first one of Nicky Wire will be going into my live music portfolio.
Thanks to Jason Sheldon for sorting the pass for me.
Interpol are one of my favourite bands and every time I’ve seen them live they’ve been amazing, intense and even better than on record.
And when they played in Birmingham recently they were better than ever! Even if they never played “Evil”!
Having said that, they’re not the easiest band to photograph. Their music suits dark, moody lighting and, not being allowed to use flash (officially) it was a little tricky to say the least. For the last minute or so of the third song (we only get to shoot the first three) I decided I’d be cheeky and sneak a few shots with a very low-powered flash. I’m glad I did.
This last shot was taken from my seat on the balcony later in their set. You can see what kind of lighting we were dealing with from this shot but I love the mood of it..
On Good Friday I got to hang out with legendary death metal band, Suffocation, on a job for Terrorizer magazine.
Despite playing some of the heaviest, most brutal music you’re likely to hear, they could not be nicer people and made us feel more than welcome. I got a few portraits of the band and then, later, shot the gig, where they were supported by Annotations Of An Autopsy.
It seems the bands I’ve been shooting recently all fall into the heavier end of the musical spectrum.
This gig was no different.
The mighty Lamb Of God were ably supported by fellow Americans Job For A Cowboy, August Burns Red and Between The Buried & Me. I was shooting the gig for Rock Sound magazine. Here’s a few of my fave images…
It’s been a week of photographing musical legends this week. Not just a Sex Pistol and Depeche Mode but also a super group featuring Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters), Josh Homme (Queens Of The Sone Age) and John Paul Jones from LED ZEPPELIN!
For those that don’t know, the band is Them Crooked Vultures. They played Birmingham on Monday night and here are a few photos from the gig…
This man played on “Stairway To Heaven“! Nuff said.
This man played on “Smells Like Teen Spirit“. Nuff said.
First single I ever bought – The Sex Pistols‘ “Silly Thing”. My mom went into town to get it for me!
I’ve photographed The Sex Pistols before but this week I got up close to the legend that is John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten when his other band, Public Image Ltd, played Birmingham Academy.
Here are a few pics from Tuesday night…
You can read a great review of the gig HERE