"There are places I remember"

Babyshambles

2007-03-05T02:24:00.000Z

Despite Pete Doherty trying to kick lager into the photographers pit, it was still a great gig. Although more notorious than famous, he has an obvious talent, both punk and poet and the audience were not let down.

ps this gig was from 26th Feb 2006 but a post was never made

James Morrison

2006-08-11T19:01:00.000+01:00

Even if you manage to make it to the venue in time to catch the support act, you usually only photograph them half-heartedly, saving your battery power and memory space for the main event. The lighting is also generally subdued, to allow the main act to 'shine'.

So in April, when James Morrison's only claim to fame was having the same name as The Lizard King, arriving too late to go into the pit meant grabbing a couple of sneaky shots from the edge of the stage. Then he was supporting the up and coming Corrine Bailey Rae. Today he has surpased her and is No. 1 in the UK album charts.

Funny what difference a few months make.... Congratulations to you.

Leeds Met Events, 8th April 2006

The Big Chill

2006-08-08T17:13:00.000+01:00

Security was much tighter this year. Despite obtaining a couple of wristbands from some early departees, an 'Eagle-eyed' guard spotted our fumbled attempts of wearing them properly. However an hours stroll to the main gate and some sleepy stewards enabled our 5th consecutive visit to the Eastnor Festival!

1. Fat Tuesday's
2. Castle Stage
3. Open Air Stage

Across The Tracks : Day One

2006-07-31T21:54:00.000+01:00

A unique festival by the canal, under the railway station, in a city centre car park with two very different stages.

Thank you to Bar Home for the perfect vantage point.

In (almost) chronological order, here are the peformers:

The Chalets

2006-07-31T21:53:00.000+01:00

Lovely.

The Acutes

2006-07-31T21:52:00.002+01:00

Paolo Nutini

2006-07-31T21:52:00.001+01:00

Very talented singer/songwriter....

Terry Callier

2006-07-31T21:52:00.000+01:00

This Et Al

2006-07-31T21:51:00.000+01:00

Challenging lighting....

The Pigeon Detectives

2006-07-31T21:50:00.001+01:00

Was up a tower block taking 'aerial' shots when they came on stage. By the time I got down, 'Under The Arches' was packed.

Young Knives

2006-07-31T21:50:00.000+01:00

The Sugars

2006-07-31T21:45:00.000+01:00

The Research

2006-07-31T21:44:00.002+01:00

Lively, fun, upliftling local band. Very refreshing....

Jose Gonzalez

2006-07-31T21:44:00.001+01:00

Class act. Highlight of the 'Canal Stage'.

Black Wire

2006-07-31T21:44:00.000+01:00

Wired....

Yes Boss

2006-07-31T21:43:00.002+01:00

Great set - full of energy. During Sunshine Underground performance, one of the singers did some crowd surfing - they threw him into the pit but security 'forgot' to catch him and he split his head open. Everyone thought it was hilarious until he was dragged to his feet with blood pouring down his face.

The Bees

2006-07-31T21:43:00.001+01:00

Got my 'Bees' muddled up. Was expecting a Scottish 'dub' band and ended up with a bunch of rednecks...

New Young Pony Club

2006-07-31T21:43:00.000+01:00

Strange what you get when you type 'New Young Pony Club' into a search engine....

British Sea Power

2006-07-31T21:42:00.000+01:00

Unfortunately for them they clashed with The Sunshine Underground.

The Sunshine Underground

2006-07-31T21:41:00.000+01:00

Superb band with top tunes - worth coming just for this act. Wouldn't be a suprise to see them headlining festivals like this by next summer.

The Magic Numbers

2006-07-31T21:39:00.000+01:00

Great bland. Er, I mean band....

Saturday People

2006-07-31T21:02:00.002+01:00

When your pupils are the size of saucers and your eyelids wont open - dont ask for for a photo to be taken - however good you feel, you generally dont look your best.

Across The Tracks : Day Two

2006-07-31T21:02:00.001+01:00

A mellower line up today - but, hey, it's Sunday....

Joyce

2006-07-31T21:02:00.000+01:00

Some of these blog enteries are moving themselves around. Joyce opened the main stage on Sunday morning but has slipped into Saturday night?!

First Word Record Allstars

2006-07-31T21:01:00.000+01:00

Excellent opening act, set the marker for the day.

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

2006-07-31T21:00:00.002+01:00

The main stage is six foot high so it's hard enough when they are jumping around. But when they're sat down it's plain difficult.

An interesting addition to the programme but very well recieved and set the crowd up for a fun day.

Haggis Horns

2006-07-31T21:00:00.001+01:00

New Mastersounds

2006-07-31T21:00:00.000+01:00

Instrumental.

James Taylor Quartet

2006-07-31T20:59:00.001+01:00

There were actually seven of them in the end - but only one worth photographing....

Foreign Beggars

2006-07-31T20:59:00.000+01:00

Orifice Vulgatron was joined on stage by the incredible beatboxer Shlomo. Blew the audience away - outstanding talent.

Monkey Swallows The Universe

2006-07-31T20:58:00.000+01:00

Haven't seen a recorder played since primary school. Very twee...

King Creosote

2006-07-31T20:57:00.001+01:00

Skitz

2006-07-31T20:57:00.000+01:00

Crazy P

2006-07-31T20:55:00.000+01:00

Roy Ayers

2006-07-31T20:54:00.000+01:00

After a chilled Sunday afternoon by the canal, there was a chance it wouldn't pick up like had yesterday evening. Roy changed that as soon as he came on stage - the crowd were on their feet and the atmosphere was charged.

Stephen Fretwell

2006-07-31T20:53:00.001+01:00

Badly Drawn Boy

2006-07-31T20:53:00.000+01:00

This brought back memories of Glenn Hoddle. For years, as a Spurs fan, I grew up admiring, ok, adoring him (if you never saw him play, his free kick was better than Beckham's and he had a shot like Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes rolled in one - or at least thats how I remember him.)And then during the summer of 1998 I realised he was a pratt. He made a fool of himself and shattered all my childhood memories.

Damon Gough (aka 'Badly Drawn Boy') has been held in the highest regard for a long time as a very talented singer/songwriter. Tonight he also emerged as a twat. Looking like Bill Oddie birdwatching in winter, he came on with an bad attitude and although the tunes were good he lost the audience's attention very early on. Even half a dozen rows from the pit people were chatting throughout his set. 'Boy' kept looking at his watch, announcing how long he had left of his set and asking for suggestions to what he should play next.

He may have had the biggest name but fell a long way behind in passion and ultimately, size.

Sunday People

2006-07-31T20:52:00.000+01:00

A great festival which needed the household names to attract the crowds but was successful mainly due to the plentiful local talent.

Looking forward to Across the Tracks 2007....

Blues

2006-07-16T21:52:00.000+01:00

The Upton Blues Festival; surely the best free weekend in the country?! Didn't want to take the camera as the beer was flowing but caught this fly in the garden....

For some real photographers blogs check out Dan and Bob .....

Gomez

2006-06-08T10:27:00.000+01:00

A little sad about tonight. What started out as a one off photo job for 'Babyshambles' in February turned into a 21 gig stint for The Met, ending tonight. Special thanks to everyone at the venue, it's been a great experience and a rare priviliage.

As for 'Gomez', they were the perfect act to finish with. They've already made their name and were out to enjoy themselves. Top entertainment.

The Elected

2006-06-08T09:47:00.000+01:00

"Hey, man. We're from California", didn't go down too well with the audience. It was still sunny outside and the venue was nearly empty for the support band, who were introduced to some drunken English heckling! Shame, they sounded very good.

The Wedding Present

2006-06-06T22:58:00.000+01:00

6th June 2006 - 666! - Somebody told me that they brought out the re-make of 'The Omen' today. Is everything a copy these days?

The band tonight were a re-gurgitation of an '80's Indie band; the only original member was the lead singer, David Gedge. To be honest, it wasn't really 'a band', there was no unity, it was just 'him' and some other musicians. An enjoyable evening but when they announced that they 'never do encores', nobody seemed too bothered.

Victorian English Gentlemans Club

2006-06-06T15:51:00.000+01:00

Zero 7

2006-06-01T23:15:00.000+01:00

That was stunning! She is stunning!

Looking forward to this gig not just because they were the first act to play at The Met that I actually owned some of their music but I also had a new lens to play with. Both exceeded my expectations.

Sia Furler has an incredible voice and a real down to earth playfulness on stage which was totally captivating. 'Zero 7' are like a well oiled machine, I counted 9 people on stage at one point, but they gelled perfectly throughout their varied set.

They can't claim 'Gig of the Year' because that accolade has already gone to Desmond Dekker but they come a very close second.

Fink

2006-06-01T23:06:00.000+01:00

Great support act for Zero 7 with some very original soulful tunes. When you're photographing a few inches from the speakers, an accoustic set is much appreciated. Hear them at The Big Chill this summer.

Desmond Dekker is Dead

2006-05-27T09:52:00.000+01:00

Very sad news. Desmond Dekker has died of a heart attack aged 64. His last gig was at here in Leeds on May 11.

A legend. R.I.P.

Chas 'n' Dave

2006-05-26T08:27:00.000+01:00

Would you 'Adam and Eve' it?! Those crafty cockneys have made their way up North for a gig in Leeds. I had a quick Ruby and downed a couple of Britneys. After a quick Jimmy I made my way up the Apples for a Butchers at the duo. They did more Rabbiting than playing but were great entertainment. As my Pie is overseas I made my way home and had to make do with a Tommy.

Wetherby Races

2006-05-25T22:43:00.000+01:00

Creative racing photography is largely down to luck. Pick the angle, lying in the sodden ground, camera less than an inch from the fence (and potentially the galloping horses), waiting for the cavalry. They travel at 40 mph and, presuming they are about 6 feet from the lens, they will pass through the viewfinder in about a quarter of a second! It is a case of 'rapid fire' and hope for the best. And you only get one chance every 30 minutes.

Orson

2006-05-24T09:49:00.000+01:00

Awesome. Orson.

Very photogenic band - charasmatic, expressionate and flamboyant. Good music too!

The Sunshine Underground

2006-05-21T08:57:00.000+01:00

Special gig tonight, despite a relatively small tunout. Playing their first 'proper' gig, the band came across as very honest and genuine and there was a real party atmosphere. Expect big things from them.

Yes Boss

2006-05-21T00:37:00.000+01:00

I need a faster lens! Simply loosing too many shots trying to cope at around 1/15th second....(didn't know what else to say about this act)

'Dirty Pretty Things'

2006-05-18T00:41:00.000+01:00

All gigs stink of weed; it just varies in amount and strength. Took a while to come across it last night but someone had the super smelly skunk out with them. I just hung around the area until the music sounded better.

The Rakes

2006-05-17T00:36:00.000+01:00

Another sell out gig for The Met. Great atmosphere. Crap lighting.

John Martyn

2006-05-16T17:06:00.000+01:00

Although photographing was allowed throughout the gig at The Irish Centre - there seemed little point as the lighting didnt change and he didnt move. A lot mellower and 'midle of the road' than I was expecting but The Guinness was exceptional!

Desmond Dekker

2006-05-12T09:33:00.000+01:00

Top show! Top showman! (He had a belt buckle which scrolled his name in flourescant blue letters.... ). An enthusiastic crowd complete with skinheads and rude-boys! Contender for gig of the year....

Kaiser Chiefs

2006-04-30T08:59:00.000+01:00

No pass for this one - an open air gig in Leeds - but I did find that climbing on top of the hospital gave a direct, albeit distant and obstructed view of the stage. Although I'm not a fan of their music I end up singing along whenever I hear it - 'Oh my God I can't believe it!'

"Harvey Nicks, darling"

2006-04-28T22:04:00.000+01:00

After weeks of only photographing gigs, it was a refreshing change to spend a few hours in 'Harvey Nichols' for a fashion/reportage shoot. The featured article was about the 'personal shopping' experience, when you are generally pampered and encouraged to part with large wads of cash. Included is an hour with the beautican and your very own sales assistant. When they're charging £3,000 per dress, it's the very least you should have!

Gary Numan

2006-04-25T09:41:00.000+01:00

Its a shame his music is so bad because he is a very good showman....

KUBB

2006-04-21T10:05:00.000+01:00

Considering some of the bands that have 'sold out' the 1200 capacity arena, it is something of a mystery why 'Kubb' only attracted a couple of hundred tickets. Powerful and sensitive, Scouse/Caribbean front man Harry Collier led a commanding peformance to a select audience in Leeds. With a number of festivals on this years agenda - if you haven't already heard of "Kubb", you will have done by the end of the summer.

Fear Factory

2006-04-14T22:23:00.000+01:00

Not the lighting tech's fault, the instructions were for 'dark and mysterious'. The band were very good. But you couldn't see them.

'We Are Scientists'

2006-04-13T12:29:00.000+01:00

A bit embarrasing this one. Not for them. For me. After arriving at the stage without my memory card, when I got back and started shooting, I realised it was almost full from the previous gig so I had to delete it - including the pics I had just taken. Whilst I was doing this, leaning against the audience barrier I was grabbed and yanked away by one of the security, only to realise he was saving me from a 'crowd surfer' who was about to land on my head. I'm sure the gig was very good but I left after the next song.

iForward, Russia!

2006-04-13T12:18:00.000+01:00

I never listen to Radio 1. Not since Chris Moyles shamelessly mocked the death of 'Best Mate' - and I was only listening to him because he's from Leeds and it seemed like the right thing to do. So, when I put the radio on tonight, because I was editing images on the PC and didnt want to play mp3's at the same time, it was a suprise to hear Steve Lamacq announce 'iForward Russia!' as the best new band on the scene. At the same time I was busy trying to sharpen up their energetic, 'cant-stand-still' lead singer on my laptop. Two days ago I had never heard of them but had been advised by another photographer that they were on the cusp and it was a good time to catch them before they were wrapped up in managerial cotton wool. A few minutes before they came on I asked one of their production team when they were going to start. 'When they're ready', came his cocky, 'I'm with the band' reply. Well, they're here and they're definately ready.... http://www.forwardrussia.com/

Corinne Bailey Rae

2006-04-10T23:03:00.000+01:00

...did you hear the one about the church choir trained, Led Zeppelin influenced, classical violin playing, jazz, blues and soul singing Leeds lass? Well, here she is! Corinne Bailey Rae enthralled a sold out arena in her Yorkshire hometown on Saturday night. Not suprisingly, her music is 'a little bit of everything' but 'atmospheric and soulful' throughout. With a silky smooth yet powerful voice, the irony may lie in her signature tune, 'Like A Star', as she is surely destined to become one.

Seth Lakeman

2006-03-31T10:19:00.000+01:00

Simple stage and lighting + unpretencious band/audience + music at an undeafening level = great gig? Maybe too mellow - one lady was heard asking the security for a chair half way through the night. Check out http://www.sethlakeman.co.uk/

'Stiff Little Fingers'

2006-03-29T15:05:00.000+01:00

"My name is Psycho, my name is Psycho, my name is Psycho, yeah-oh! My name is Psycho, my name is Psycho, my name is Psycho, yeah-oh!"

Punk. You gotta love it....

The Levellers

2006-03-24T11:21:00.000Z

I hate to use an Americanism - but ‘They Rocked!’ And while I’m at it....‘Awesome!’ The Levellers have been playing together for almost 20 years and built up quite a fan base. The audience were completely in tune with the band - jumping and singing along, all the way to the back of the hall. I felt left out when everyone knew when to shout the appropriate yell or raise an arm in unison. Next time I’ll be prepared.... Oi!

You're busted!

2006-03-15T14:07:00.000Z

Having to endure three mediocre support acts, only to be thrown out of the photography pit during the headline acts first song, I don't feel like saying anything positive about 'Fightstar'.

The atmosphere at The Met was buzzing as usual and the expectations were high. Ex-public schoolboy Charles Simpson (lead singer, formerly of manufactured boy band 'Busted') has claimed that he used to get depressed with the bands hit singles and the army of adoring female fans (oh, the horror). His true love had always been 'Heavy Metal' and he desired a maturer audience to appreciate his 'musical talent'. Well he's succeeded - the innocent 10 year old girls have been replaced by spotty 15 year old boys (the queue for chips was longer than the queue for the bar and an 'I am over 18' stamp was being given out on entry). As for his music, well it's more like a stage of adolescence; noisy and rebellious, shouting 'Fuck!' a lot and making 'devil's horns' with your fingers. The ironic thing is that without the fame of Busted, I doubt Fightstar would have filled one of the local pubs never mind 'The Leeds Met'. Whilst he has certainly moved on, Charlie still has a lot of growing up to do.

Experienced?

2006-03-10T19:03:00.000Z

After spending all last week listening to The Stone Roses and re-living the favourites as 'Fools Gold', 'Waterfall' and 'Sally Cinnamon', the long awaited 'Stone Roses Experience' gig at Leeds Met had a lot to live up to. The audience were jumping and singing along to all the classics but even with the band's energy and enthusiasm, hearing 'Ian Brown' with a broad Scottish accent simply didn't work! The Stone Roses were all about the 'Madchester' music scene of the late '80's/early '90's and their tribute band were about as Mancunian as Haggis, Neeps and Tatties.