A Day To Remember + Architects – Live in Birmingham
Yesterday was Mother’s Day in the UK and the weather was glorious so we took the family down to the Cotswolds where we had dinner and enjoyed the spring sunshine. We were also down there to shoot an engagement session which I’ll be posting on the blog soon. It was a great day.
By complete contrast, the evening was spent with 3000 metal fans at Birmingham Academy where Florida’s A Day To Remember were playing. I was much more interested in the two support bands, Your Demise and Architects.
Unfortunately, I got there just too late to shoot Your Demise but they put on a great show. Architects were on great form and, although the lighting was tricky, I was pleased with the images I captured.
We only got to shoot the first two songs for each band so the pressure was on! Here are a few pictures from last night…
Firstly, Architects
A packed house at the Academy
and headliners, A Day To Remember
Peter Andre @ Birmingham Symphony Hall
Ok, so let’s get one thing straight…
My music taste is extremely varied. I love my punk & metal. I love mellow singer-songwriters. I used to be a house DJ and I listen to some pop music too. I’ve seen Michael Jackson, Madonna, Kylie & Prince live but my musical tastes do not reach as far as Peter Andre! Sorry Pete.
I do think he’s a genuinely nice guy though and he’s obviously a major celebrity, at least in the UK. So when I got the chance to photograph his Birmingham gig this week, I was happy to do so. I only got 2 songs to do my thing but managed to get a few good shots…
This is Pete’s brother, Michael Andre who acted as warm-up DJ and did a good job too.
And then the screams were deafening as Pete appeared… The audience was predictably 98% female!
Lamb Of God @ Birmingham Academy
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…
Ocean Colour Scene at The Rainbow, Digbeth, Birmingham
Last night one of Birmingham’s most popular bands, Ocean Colour Scene, played an intimate gig in the back room of The Rainbow pub, around the corner from our studio. It’s always great to see big bands in small venues and I was surprised to find out I was the only photographer to be issued a pass for the gig.
Here are a few photos from the gig. You can see a full review on the Birmingham Live website.
Them Crooked Vultures (aka Queens Of The Led Fighters)
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.
Is That Johnny Rotten?!
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
Depeche Mode – Live At Birmingham LG Arena
If you asked me to list my life-changing albums, one would be “Violator” by Depeche Mode. Never before had I heard electronic music that had the same impact on me as all the rock bands I loved. I’ve been a huge fan ever since.
I’ve seen Depeche Mode live a couple of times before but this week I was down in the photographers’ pit to shoot the gig. Such an honour and a privilege. Here are a few faves from the gig…
You can see my review of the gig on the Birmingham Live site.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Live In Birmingham
This week has been a busy week for shooting bands. Placebo, Sunn O))), Your Demise and the amazing Yeah Yeah Yeahs. And on Sunday I’m photographing one of my favourite bands of all time, Depeche Mode.
I always knew Yeah Yeah Yeahs would be a great band to shoot and Karen O and the boys didn’t disappoint. Here’s a few from Wednesday’s gig…
FAVOURITE!!!
See a review of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Birmingham gig on the Birmingham Live website.
Placebo – Live In Birmingham
Last night I popped into the all new shiny LG Arena in Birmingham to photograph Placebo.
This was my first time shooting them. They’re a great band live too. I even got a shot of Brian Molko looking right at me..
Tonight I’m shooting Yeah Yeah Yeahs at the Academy. Pics here soon…
The Ghost Of A Thousand & friends
As great as it is to photograph the huge stars on an arena stage, I have to confess that the place where I get the biggest buzz is when I’m shooting a sweaty little gig in some dive bar. The energy and intimacy of these gigs adds an extra element to the event and you get the feeling that anything could happen.
One such gig happened on Monday night at The Rainbow pub just a couple of minutes walk from our studio in Digbeth. Headlined by Brighton hardcore mob The Ghost Of A Thousand, this was such an amazing gig! The bands could hardly stay on the stage, seemingly preferring to mingle with the audience or climb the rafters. My 24-70 lens gave up on me just as I was about to start shooting (I’ve now bought a brand new one) so I shot the whole gig on my 50mm 1.4 lens but I love the results.
This is Sharks, one of the support bands, taken outside the venue just after their set.
And main support, The Computers, who were extremely entertaining.
And the main event… The Ghost Of A Thousand.
Tom Lacey hits the roof (almost)!
I feel that last image captures the essence of the gig. Energy, passion and interaction. Great gig. Great bands.