The Ruby Lounge
On 29 May Slydigs played The Ruby Lounge in Manchester. I was looking forward to this gig as I have been listening to tracks from their new record Down with the Mockery. On the way to the gig I met the lead singer Dean and was invited to join them for a pre gig pint. It was a good crowd around the table with the band, management and photographer who took the shots for the record and web site.
The Ruby Lounge is a good venue with a large stage but like most of this type of gig the lights are either low or one strong colour red/blue. This can make photography a bit tricky. Radka the other photographer walks to the sound/lighting desk explains that the lighting is no use for photography. The engineer looks stunned but knows better than to argue and changes it to her liking. I stood in awe!
Weatherbird and The Incredible Magpie band provided the support and both played great sets.
Weatherbirds
The Incredible Magpie band
There was a buzz in the room from before a booted foot set foot on the stage for the Slydigs set. They played an amazing set mixing the new songs with what I consider to be classics from their earlier EP's.
If you haven't heard them play check out their web site and go to one of the gigs you will not be disappointed
The Mad Mansion
I was invited by The Marivaux to their singles release party held at Antwerp Mansion Manchester. The outside of the building is coated in some of the best art I have seen in a long time.Inside it felt like I had gatecrashed a squat and I should have brought a sleeping bag. It was also very dark will be ok when stage lights go on. I went back outside and met Guy the Harmonica man relaxing on a painted bike, Not only is he a great player he is also a nice bloke and very easy to spend time with.
I heard the first act start and went to find it still very dark. Oli McDowell played a great acoustic set and deserved a bigger audience than was present. He was followed by another very talented guitar player and singer. Have a listen to him online search for In Quaranteen We Trust.
Then the bands started Jela, Outreach Project, Rum Theif, Dirty Brunswick and finally the band of the night The Marivaux. All the bands played amazing sets and the crowd just got bigger, louder and bounced that bit higher with each act.
The Marivaux played the best set I have seen them play and it was great to climb onto the stage and see the guys up close. I noticed a lot of familiar faces in the crowd from their gigs and also the making of the bands latest video.
The single is designed to look like a record although many of the crowd may be too young to appreciate it. The new design on the T shirt also looks really good.
A thank you to all at Antwerp mansion looking forward to visiting again. A huge thanks to all the bands for putting on a great show. I hope you all like the shots and I look forwarding to hearing you again soon.
A massive thanks to The Marivaux and crew who really made me feel welcome and one of the team. I wish you all the best look for the future and especially for this single.
Labrat
48 Hours of Drumming
48 hours of drumming to raise money for charity.
I went back up to the Bootleggers bar in Kendal to support John during this challenge. Once again he had great support and bands during the night. I drank coke and am glad that Bootleggers make a good coffee as I was starting to feel it.
48 Hour Drumathon
John Powney intends to drum for 48 hours for cancer charities.
www.justgiving.com/48hourdrumathon
www.48hourdrumathon.co.uk
Manchester Style
What a great night!
I met with the boys from Brassdebate in big hands as they finalised arrangements for their set with The Kings Men. These boys take their playing seriously and ran through the sound check and made slight alterations to their parts.
Into the Academy 2 to take shots of The Kings Men and shared the pit with Gary (twitter GBH68) and the legend that is Trust a Fox Photography. It was great to watch these guys work and then see their finished product they both nailed the gig and are good to spend time with. I have heard horror stories about photographers in the pit but it is great to share a gig with such good photographers who are willing to share advice and tips.
The Kings Men did a great set with Brassdebate adding that extra something with the brass.
A DJ then took over and had the rapidly filling Academy bouncing to classic Manchester tunes. I could have listened and relived memories from many happy nights.
JB Barrrington. What a great performance from this Manchester poet. Have a look for him on youtube or the Web he is brilliant.
As Northside took to the stage you realised how up for it their fans are. Even before a note was played various chants about the benefits of Manchester rang out. They played a great set and the crowd loved every song.
