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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April 18, 2019

| Tracey Welch

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.

Blog, Blog123, Music, News, Photography |

March 5, 2019

| Tracey Welch

The Struts at Stylus for The Guardian.

The Struts Luke Spiller

I had a bit of a laugh with The Struts when I first photographed the Derby band at Bingley Festival in 2013. Back then they were maybe one of those bands that hadn’t quite made the big time but you really felt like they should. Fast forward to last year’s Download and they were definitely well on their way. In those five, intervening years, The Struts had been opening for the likes of the Stones and the Foo Fighters and really growing a fan base for their particular brand of classic glam rock, particularly in the US. Another year on and I’m heading to Stylus, a students union venue in Leeds to photograph them for the Guardian. The place was packed and the atmosphere in there was amazing. As the Guardian review sums up – “They’re not original but they are a fantastic live act and they will rock you”. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/feb/18/the-struts-review-stylus-leeds

The Struts Luke Spiller

Supporting The Struts, from New Zealand, Kelsy Karter. Before the gig all I knew about her was that she’d had a picture of Harry Styles tattooed onto her face to. As it turns out, that was a ‘fake news’ publicity stunt to promote the single she’d written about the One Direction singer. And actually, I thought she was great – really enjoyed the performance and she just seemed completely herself and at home up there.

Kelsy Karter in concert @ University of Leeds stylus Britian 16.02.19

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February 12, 2019

| Tracey Welch

Nikon Z 6 test shoot on Snow Patrol.

Mirrorless camera systems. For anyone who’s not a photography nerd they’ve been around for a couple of years and, in theory offer great quality pictures but with a few additional benefits over more traditional D-SLRs. One of these benefits is that the mirrorless technology means you don’t get the usual shutter clunk; they are super quiet, which is an attractive prospect for someone like me shooting in a live music and broadcast context. So when Nikon asked me to test their latest mirrorless edition, the Z 6, I actually couldn’t wait to get my hands on it and give it a go.