Category Archives: Photography

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Rick Astley at Leeds Arena

Rick Astley

So – the final blog of the year goes to…Rick Astley at Leeds Arena. What could be better at this most wonderful time of the year?! And plenty of folk had turned out to enjoy some of the irresistably catchy classics (‘Never gonna give you up’ was number one in no less than 25 countries) and some of Rick’s newer, more soulful material.

He still sounds great, and after three songs in the pit we were free to roam around the venue and stick around for the entire gig. Sadly I had to leave before the end so missed joining in with the “Give you up!” chorus but I did get to enjoy another crowd pleaser ‘Together Forever’ and went home with a far higher dose of feel-good factor than when I arrived. Download may be my spiritual home but there’s something to be said for a genuinely nice bloke with a good voice and a catchy tune or two. Thanks Rick!

Rick Astley

Rick Astley

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Florence and the Machine at the First Direct Arena

Florence and the Machine
Florence Welch

Looking at the staging for Florence and the Machine at the First Direct Arena, the oversize trucks outside the Leeds venue made complete sense. The set was made up of huge lengths of timber, creating a warm, naturalistic performance area and giving Florence the freedom to move around and use the entire space.

She is always amazing to photograph, delivering a show where music and artistry come together to create an incredibly free flowing, immersive experience. As usual there was a lot of running which is tricky to shoot, but I like those shots that capture the movement, even if they’re not entirely pin-sharp.  Inspiring stuff.

Florence and the Machine
Florence Welch

Florence and the Machine
Florence Welch

Florence and the Machine
Florence Welch

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At home in Sheffield with the Arctic Monkeys.

Arctic monkeys 19.09.18 Sheffield Arena

Night two of the Arctic Monkeys UK tour. Such is the home support in Sheffield they managed to sell out the Motorpoint Arena for four, consecutive nights. I guess, it made a nice change from being constantly on the road and after almost five years a decent, home visit was long overdue.

Despite the challenging light I sneaked in a couple of decent shots. The jury’s out on Alex ‘s new look but the music is as resonant as ever and they deliver a great mix of stuff going back to those first album classics. Always good to be there.

Arctic monkeys 19.09.18 Sheffield Arena

Arctic monkeys 19.09.18 Sheffield Arena

Arctic monkeys 19.09.18 Sheffield Arena

Arctic monkeys 19.09.18 Sheffield Arena

 

 

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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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Artists on Audio Network

Benedict Bartleet London 04.07.18

 

Audio Network is a music library supplying the TV, film and advertising industry. For many programme makers it’s the go to source of the next, memorable theme tune. I guarantee you, plenty of your favourites will have come from Audio Network. An archive in excess of 154,000 tracks has been composed and produced by a vast pool of talented music writers. This month I’ve been photographing some of the latest additions to that talent roster, including producer Benedict Bartleet and the band Klong. Motel Studios in Hoxton, East London was a perfect venue for the shoot and we used a variety of backdrops to deliver the monochrome feel Audio Network were looking for.  I’m really looking forward to seeing the pictures up on the Audio Network website. https://www.audionetwork.com/

Klong London 04.06.18

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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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A new film following Damo Suzuki – get involved

Damo Suzuki Hebden bridge Trade Club 05.08.17

I’ve known photographer and film maker Michelle Heighway for a few years now. We got to know each other at Bingley Festival and since then have kept in touch, regularly bumping into each other on the Festival circuit. Michelle’s currently in the final stages of production for ‘Energy’, her 2nd feature about the life and times of Krautrock Legend, Damo Suzuki who continues to pursue a life of performance despite his ongoing battle with colon cancer.

Michelle’s highly acclaimed film ‘Mr Somebody?’ was selected for the Sheffield Documentary Film Festival and Leeds International Film Festival. In this film she examines the past, present and future of Suzuki’s influential art and music, and capturing his singular outlook on creativity, protest, and alternatives to mainstream thought. Michelle’s looking for crowdfunding to take the film through to a launch in December next year and I’ve given Energy a very small nudge in the right direction with some press photographs. It was great to see Michelle at work and to meet Suzuki, former lead of the legendary band CAN, and his partner Elke. A donation to the campaign will earn you perks including original artwork and limited edition t-shirts. And how brilliant to know that when the film launches you’ll have played your part in making it happen! https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/energy-a-documentary-about-damo-suzuki#/

Damo Suzuki Hebden bridge Trade Club 05.08.17

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Arena gigs: Noel Gallagher and Manic Street preachers

Noel Gallagher

This month we’re offering a First Direct Arena, bank holiday bonanza;  three, great opportunities to test out my new Nikon D5. I’m really happy with the results – great quality images, with amazing definition. The arena always presents one or two challenges – the height of the stage being the main one. For Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, the other pit pre-requisite was that photographers switch sides between tracks. I’m still not entirely clear why we had to do this, but we dutifully buddied up and chased each other from one end to the other for the usual three songs. The entertainment above the pit was also great – as ever.

Noel Gallagher

It’s not often I make a point of getting to a gig early enough to catch the support but having seen a few interviews, I made an exception for Baxter Dury. Baxter’s first public appearance was probably at the age of five, already in flares, standing next to his dad on the cover of Dury senior’s first and acclaimed solo album, New Boots and Panties. There’s a strong resemblance between Baxter and Ian Dury that carries through into his style. With the voice the similarity is even stronger. The Dury charisma is definitely all there and there’s a directness in the performance that really engages the audience. Interesting stuff and great to photograph.

Baxter Dury

Hard to believe that the Manics have been at it since 1986. Lead James Dean Bradfield’s voice is as strong as ever, as is the band’s comment on the world, political and otherwise. Above all else though the latest album – Resistance is Futile – is packed with cracking good songs and in terms of performance, the energy on stage is still there. All in all a brilliant weekend of music and so happy with my new piece of kit.

James Dean Bradfield

Nicky Wire