Category Archives: Events

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Marquis Drive play Mosfest.

This week we’re at Mosfest. In recent years this popular, two-day festival on the Sheffield fringe has moved from Mosborough to Don Valley Bowl. But the name has stuck and nine years in, the organisers certainly seem to have cracked that winning, line-up formula.

Marquis Drive 01.06.19 Mosfest

“Cannock Crusaders”, Marquis Drive are Mosfest regulars and they always pull in the crowds and get everyone going. When they joined me, I was enjoying a beer in the sunshine with the other bands in what was a very low-key, back-stage affair. It was great to just hang out and chat to people. For me that meant meeting bands like Jesus Jones who I’ve not seen live since around 1990.

But whilst I was happy to chill with Marquis Drive, Space and fellow Liverpudlians, the Farm were actually itching to get going. Because of course this was no normal Mosfest Saturday. This was Champions League final day and in Madrid, the reds were facing Spurs. Bearing in mind Mosfest began with Mosborough Football Club and the sudden loss of one of the local club’s driving forces, the organisers were completely sympathetic. They moved the Liverpool bands up the the running order to let them go early and suddenly, Marquis Drive were headlining. Brilliant stuff! Most people actually chose to stay and enjoy the whole show. And for Space and co it was the best of all worlds, with a great festival experience and a two nil win that brought the cup home to the Pool.

Roll on Mosfest 2020. But in the meantime If you feel you’ve missed out on this years festival, there’s a second helping coming up next Saturday in the shape of Music for the Homeless. Presented in association with the Cathedral Archer Project you can donate to the charity and enjoy an entertaining show including another Mosfest favourite, the Neville Staple Band. Plus, you can sleep out under the stars to further demonstrate your support for the cause.

Marquis Drive 01.06.19 Mosfest

Marquis Drive 01.06.19 Mosfest

Marquis Drive 01.06.19 Mosfest

Marquis Drive 01.06.19 Mosfest

Marquis Drive 01.06.19 Mosfest

Marquis Drive 01.06.19 Mosfest

Marquis Drive 01.06.19 Mosfest

Marquis Drive 01.06.19 Mosfest

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Alan Mcgee on tour.

Alan McGee 12.04.19 Barnsley

Thanks to my mates Rachel Brown (my N-Photo Apprentice) and author/broadcaster Rob Fiddaman, I recently found myself at Opium-No 10, an “indie cocktail bar”, photographing the Barnsley leg of Alan McGee’s ongoing UK tour. Alan is widely credited as the architect of the Manchester music scene, the man behind Creation Records, Oasis and Primal Scream. The Q&A was peppered with a million and one music references, entertaining anecdotes, industry insights and political comment. McGee is engaging, interested and full of energy.  In an honest reflection of the rock’n’roll life he’s led, the conversation pulled no punches.  Like many people in the audience, I left wanting more of the Alan McGee experience. So, a few days later was I heading to Chesterfield’s Proact football stadium for a second helping.

Alan McGee 12.04.19 Barnsley

Another day, another equally fascinated audience and Alan was off again. The Glaswegian is as enthusiastic about the industry as he ever was and is arguably just as involved, with the launch of his latest label, Creation 23 and ongoing management of bands including the Happy Mondays.

If that wasn’t enough, there’s about to be a movie, with Danny Boyle and Irvine Welsh renewing their Trainspotting partnership to bring this endlessly colourful story to life on screen. With Nick Moran of Lock Stock directing, it promises to be a rollercoaster of a ride and personally, I can’t wait.

Alan McGee 26.04.19 Chesterfield

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Marquis Drive – a proper band. So says Danny Dyer..

This month I was commissioned to photograph West Midlands band Marquis Drive. The Britpop inspired band were playing in Bramall Lane, Sheffield so we met up there, hopped over the road to the Railway Hotel and spent an hour or so sorting a decent portfolio for them.

Marquis Drive

The evening gig was a great opportunity to capture the band’s performance. It was, to say the least, energetic and packed with enthusiasm. The whole place was jumping, carried along by the Marquis Drive’s anthemic, joyous sound. They’ve only been around for a year or so but are already carving out a reputation, with no less than Danny Dyer describing them as “a proper fkn band”! The Sheffield Star have certainly given them a positive response: “Marquis Drive had the whole venue bouncing and singing as they created a real festival atmosphere. Such was the buzz created, it would be tough for any band to follow.” In short, if you like Ocean Colour Scene, Shed 7, Oasis and the like then you’ll probably enjoy Marquis Drive.

I got on so well with the band that they’ve already asked me to join them at a Sheffield festival later this year. Of course, I’ve said yes to what will undoubtedly be a cracking, good do.

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Bingley Music Live 2018

Noel Gallagher

Headlining this year’s Bingley Music Live – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. This little, three-day, family festival is fantastic and though it’s grown over the years in size and stature, it has successfully retained its warm and friendly vibe.

Sadlly, I missed Friday night but on Saturday we got the Cribs, and Jake Bugg headlining and on Sunday Pulled Apart by Horses, Peace, Ride and Noel. What a great line-up! Plus there was a whole other stage not featured here. Below – a small selection of my favourite pics!

Noel Gallagher

Ride- Mark Gardener

Peace Harrison “Harry” Koisser

Peace Samuel “Sam” Koisser

Pulled apart by horses – Tom Hudson

Jake Bugg

Ryan Jarman, Gary Jarman, Ross Jarman

Ryan Jarman,

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The Rolling Stones and Download Festival

Rolling Stones Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood

We’re off on our annual pilgrimage to Download shortly. First though, a quick detour to Old Trafford where I just made it by the skin of my teeth to photograph The Rolling Stones after four hours stuck in accident traffic. First time for me and a brilliant experience, albeit positioned at the end of the 94 foot runway, slightly stage right as you can see. Just nine minutes to capture some decent pictures of possibly the most famous band in the world. And let me tell you Mick Jagger has still got the moves, in fact if he’d slowed down for a breather at our end I would have appreciated it. But despite everything there were opportunities to capture some of the on stage magic. Check out that jacket – I’m sure my friend has something similar from Zara but even in his  seventies he can get away with it.

The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger

On to Download. Just made it (again!) for Avenged Sevenfold – after racing up the road from jobs in London. This is not like me I am never late! Avenged Sevenfold are always amazing to shoot – hence earning two spots in the blog! And they were certainly worthy headliners for day one. Other highlights for me – local lads the Struts who are big in their home town of Derby but now massive in America! In the signing tent – Shinedown a fantastic band who I’ve shot before. Barry Kerch is always great to photograph whether he’s on drums or engaging with the fans. Really happy with my Black Veil Brides shot complete with pyros. Marilyn Manson gave us just one song – five minutes to get something in the can. And finally, I loved Kiss on stilts – part of the site entertainment and as far as I know there were no fallers. So, another year, another Download and just a brilliant time. Roll on 2019!!

Avenged Sevenfold M. Shadows

Avenged Sevenfold Synyster Gates

The Struts Luke Spiller

Shinedown- Barry Kerch

Black Veil Brides 

Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson

Download Festival, Day 3, Donington Park, Castle Donington, UK – 10 Jun 2018

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Funny Cow premieres in Sheffield

Maxine Peake Tony Pitts

It’s not often we get a world premiere in my home town but last week the cinema circus came to town for the launch of Funny Cow.  I got a call inviting me down to the Showroom Cinema to photograph the event. It was more low-key cool than red carpet glamour but all the stars had turned out for the night, including lead Maxine Peak and screenplay writer Tony Pitts. Tony is, himself a ‘made in Sheffield’ talent, as is Richard Hawley, who wrote the music and performed in Funny Cow.  Other well-known faces joining the party, Corinne Bailey Rae who plays Coffee in the film and Manchester’s finest, Johnny Marr. Sadly, I couldn’t stay for the film or the after-show as I had to disappear to tag and turn around the pictures ready for syndication. I have to say though, they were a lovely bunch, it was a privilege to be there and an added bonus to catch up with Johnny Marr. I really hope the film does well – so far the reviews are looking good…

Johnny Marr, Richard Hawley, Danny Hawley Tony Pitts, Maxine Peake Mark Vennis Kevin Proctor Corinne Bailey Rae

Tony Pitts, Richard Hawley Johnny Marr

Johnny Marr Maxine Peake

Corinne Bailey Rae

Sophie Rundle

Maxine Peake,Max Beesley , Tony Pitts

Adrian Fanagan and Dean Honer from The Moonlandingz

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Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Jared Leto, Shannon Leto

Alternative rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars consists of Jared Leto, Shannon Leto, and Tom Miličević. This month, the Thirty Seconds to Mars tour bus rolled into a packed Manchester Arena just days before the release of latest album America.

Thanks to some accidentally divulged, inside info, our pit gang of four girls and two guys (that makes a change…perhaps it’s the Jared effect!) managed to wangle coverage of the entire gig – which was brilliant. I haven’t photographed them before and visually they put on a great show but it’s difficult to shoot because of the highly theatrical staging and lighting. Also Jared runs around like a maniac. Fortunately, as part of the show, Jared invites members of the audience to come up on stage and somehow I ended up there as well. Unlike everyone else, I did not take the opportunity to send a political tweet from the Thirty Seconds to Mars personal account, but I did get some decent different shots in. All in all – a great night.

Jared Leto,

Shannon Leto

Jared Leto, Shannon Leto Manchester Arena

 

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From Filth to Municipal Waste – Bloodstock 2017

 

Dani Filth

Just back from my second Bloodstock Open Air which was really great. Good to see some familiar faces and it’s a fantastic festival to work – really relaxed. Plus this year was a welly free weekend and no rain is always a bonus! Weekend tickets were completely sold out but people could still turn up for a day pass to see their best metal band. There’s never any trouble and always plenty of theatrical dressing up, on stage and in the crowd. For performance and showmanship I’d say Dani Filth from Devilment did the job. I got some great shots of him and the rest of the band.

Colin Parks

I was a fan of Testament in the late 80s and early 90s, and Chuck Billy is still going strong, as is guitarist Alex Scolnick who has been back and forth with the band over the years, in between all kinds of other stuff, including jazz and funk..

Chuck Billy

Alex Skolnick

Canadian band Annihilator are always worth a look. Lead and founder Jeff Waters is sponsored by Epiphone who were also on site at the festival, which gave me an opportunity to go and meet the team. I tried out a Jack Cassidy bass, in front of people which was a bit a scary…especially when Tom and Olly said they’d recorded me…Stray Cat Strut not very Bloodstock. Anyhow moving on – gorgeous instrument. I want that one!

Jeff Waters

Jeff Waters

Municipal Waste – what a great name! I was pretty fortunate to get in to this gig as the list was limited due to the extensive crowd surfing that goes along with the band. After our three songs it went mental in there but here are the shots. So pleased to have been on that list.

Tony Foresta

Philip “Landphil” Hall

Aaron Homma

Rich Hinks

Headlining Saturday – Ghost. Always good to photograph but the pyros are enough to give you a heart attack. There’s usually a lot more smoke but thankfully lovely lighting here and a great opportunity to capture the theatre of the visuals and costumes; really entertaining and performance to match. The musicianship is fantastic. So this rounds off my Bloodstock 2017. Sadly, I missed Sunday due to other work commitments but roll on next year..which has already announced French band Gojira who are amazing and Nightwish from Finland, who I’ve worked with in the past photographing Kai Hahto for Drummer magazine. It’s going to be Metaltastic…

Ghost Tobias Forge

Ghost Tobias Forge

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Arcade Fire in this month’s Q magazine

Arcade Fire 07.06.17 Bath Hall Scunthorpe

Scunthorpe – not necessarily top of my list of desirable destinations but here we are and after all, it is for Arcade Fire. I arrived early and found a few people I knew in the queue including Richard Hawley so had a quick catch up before I headed upstairs to the balcony. For the packed audience, The Baths Hall is a great venue but for photography, the opportunities are limited and you still only get the three songs (regardless of who you’re working for) so you have to make the most of every shot you can see. Fortunately, the lighting’s pretty good and the band are hugely entertaining, keeping things moving around the stage. I’m really happy with how the pictures look in this month’s Q and actually the town looked like it’s got a lot going for it. Thanks Scunthorpe – Arcade Fire might just have set a new trend on the tour venue trail.

Arcade fire in Q magazine

Arcade Fire 07.06.17 Bath Hall Scunthorpe