Lounging with Ruby
Saturday night and the familiar drive to Manchester, heading to the Ruby Lounge to watch 2 bands I don't know and Black Sonic Revolver who I have heard and shot before. The night was put on by Northern Contribution who have promoted great acts at previous gigs so I was up for this one.
The Ruby Lounge is a bigger venue than first appears and seemed quieter than previous gigs as Seabirds kicked of the night. They played a good solid set with some nice tunes. I may well be checking if these guys have anything on the web to listen again.
I had heard good things about the next band Shakedown Stockholm. I give credit to any singer willing to start a song without accompaniment as there is no place to hide. The two vocalists did a great job and sounded amazing together. Their voice work so well together as they are similar in many ways but have a pleasing difference. They have some good gigs coming up and I would like to shoot them again.
Shakedown StockholmRuby Lounge
Shakedown StockholmBlue lights made me feel blue!
I am really disappointed with my shots of Stockholm as the lighting beat me. The only lighting used during their set was a set of blue LEDs. As the performers were wearing dark colours they basically disappeared. Sorry guys.
Black Sonic RevolverHe has seen the lights
BSRBroken
BSR headlined the night and played their classic tracks as well as search for new band members to join them on tambourine. They also invited the audience to return the football to them with the offer of a pint.
Unfortunately the venue needed a few more people to give it real atmosphere and I left feeling a bit flat.
The best thing about a slightly disappointing night is the short wait to do it all again!
Once again thanks to Northern Contribution and BSR for inviting me down, the bands for entertaining me and Ruby Lounge for their hospitality.
Salford Music Festival or 4 venue 4 acts per venue
I was pleased to be accepted into a group of Photographers that shoot the Salford Music Festival. I put my request in to shoot JB Barrington on Saturday and was free Friday. I was asked to try to cover the acts playing at Monton on Friday night.
Monton is great for a night out easy parking and a good selection of pubs with a great atmosphere. A regular told me that it had a dark past but money had been spent and was now a great place to be.
I must thank the other photographer on the night Theo Dibbits for showing me around the area and giving some great tips.
The venues consisted of:
The Bluebell a large traditional pub
The Park another large pub with a traditional social club type appearance
Playfoots a smaller modern bar
The blind Pig a modern bar with staff that kept passing with very tempting looking food.
All the bars seemed to have loyal friendly customers who enjoyed the music and were happy to chat to the stranger with the camera. The staff are also very friendly and enjoyed having the festival running in their bars. As ever a big thanks to all venues for being so accommodating to me it is appreciated.
Martin PluckMartin playing at Blind Pig
Martin Pluck has a very strong image in suit and hat he explained his journey from Scotland to new home in Leeds. I think that they are lucky to have him I could have listened to him play and sing all night.
While Martin was playing at the Blind Pig Kate Ashton Butler arrived guitar in hand. I thought she had got the timings wrong but she had arrived early to watch and support the other acts. I feel that this kind of attitude that gives Manchester Music its friendly reputation.
Kate has a lovely delicate voice and was very popular in the bar. I scribble notes to remind me of the acts and realised that I had written 'Kate-Pig' to remember the venue. I then passed her the book to write her contact details. I can confirm she is definitely not a pig and didn't take offence
J WilsonJ Wilson plays at the Park.
J Wilson was unfortunate in that his set was interrupted but like a true professional he took a break and came back with great guitar and vocals to please the crowd in the Park.
Tools of the tradeMano plays at Playfoots
Mano Mcglaughlin played the first set of the night across from the Park in Playfoots a small trendy looking bar. I would recommend making an effort to see him live or at least look him up on the internet his song Peach got Bones deserves to do well. I really enjoyed listening to Mano and noticed Martin nodding in appreciation of Manos talent.
Bones are a duo of female singer and male guitar and vocalist. They played at the Blue Bell and went down really well.
A quick run back to the park for Phil Middleton as well being a great played and singer Phil has the ability to take a well known song and give a real twist, this can provide a marmite love or hate moment. I loved it and again could have stayed and listened to his performance all night.
Friday night done and Im shattered. I must give credit to the sound engineers who kept the levels brilliantly each covering numerous venues and doing a great job.
Saturday Night The Big One The Fall
I arrived early at Lower Kelsal Social Club to get organised. It is a great venue and was already filling nicely. I spotted a couple of Characters from the Manchester Scene JB Barrington poet and MR Peeps promoter and general interesting bloke. They have been working together on a new project that looks brilliant and Im excited about but that for another day.
The first act to take to the kelsal stage was the band Benefit State a local punk band with great musicians and a solid punk singer. The night was off to a great start.
At the end of the Trojan Horse gig you are left open mouthed thinking did I really just see that as the band pick themselves of the floor and retrieve their instruments from the crowd. A write up cannot do justice to the energy of this band see them live at the earliest opportunity.
JB Barrington stood at the mic and looked across the full room at the Lower Kelsal. The crowd looked back not sure what to expect as he introduced himself as a poet. Then he hit them with his machine gun style fast yet clear with no words wasted JB is able to convey loss, memories, humour, disgust (grapes of wrath) in an amazing way. Even before he has finished the first poem the crowd are his hanging of his every word and recognising every point made. If you have a negative view of poetry look him up online or see him live it will change you. They say you should always leave the audience wanting more and that is exactly what happened as time was called on JB.
The main act of the festival are The Fall with the unique front man Mark E Smith. You will struggle to find a performer who has produced more songs or done more in their career than Mark E Smith. He has numerous books written about him. His fans are crazy about him and his music. Its doesn't matter if you can't understand him as their are several hundred fans reciting the lines at the same time.
The Fall has two drummers to keep the continuos heavy beat as guitars and keys add the music and Mark his special vocals. He may be getting on but Mark still has a presence and old habits die hard as he pushes over stands and glares at the crowd.
Salford Music FestivalAwaiting the Fall
A huge thanks all organisers of the Salford Music Festival for letting me be involved and congratulations on a great weekend.
The Phoenix Lives
A Bass player and friend Luis asked me to take some shots of a tribute band that he plays in. I must confess that the music is heavier than I normally listen to but gave it a go.
The venue was The Layton formally the Layton Institute, this should have given me a clue as to what I would find. It looked a big venue from the outside and I skipped in just before kick off. I pushed open the door and found myself transported to The Phoenix Club without MR Potter. The oversized bar had 3 customers and they are now all looking at me. I see a door with the gig poster on it head for it at a slight run and up a flight of stairs into a large venue with stage, balcony, bar, gig Followers and Luis.
The room is a great gig venue and Luis is ready to go. I say a quick hello to the other band members and get ready to shoot them.
The Metaleeka band played a great set with some of their loyal fans almost playing as well on their air guitars. They played all the classics and had an audience sing along to seek and destroy. The night finished with a punk song 'So What'.
If this is your kind of music this is your kind of band and worth checking out.
Thanks to Luis and the band for inviting me and to the Layton for their hospitality. This is a great venue and don't be put of by the entrance
Don't forget your raffle ticket
The Kraak venue entrance is in a narrow alley and the name could be from substances bought in similar surroundings. Thankfully tonight the alley was full of real music fans going to the latest MR Peeps gig. As you entered the venue a grin from the man himself welcomed you and he pointed out a large fabric square attached to the wall. "Make sure you sign it then in future when this gig is talked about we will really know who was here".
The other unconventional part of the night was a raffle to win some clothing and other goodies from Merc clothing who had teamed up with MR Peeps. The pile included shirt and numerous polo shirts worth over £50 a piece. Someone will be going home very happy. I suddenly feel very scruffy in my usual photography gear of black combats, doc martens and black t shirt.
This may seem strange but Im not going to write a lot about the music as this is done better by other writers including:
www.eventhestars.co.uk
www.emergingnorth.wordpress.com
Jordan Allen has had nice things said about him by BBC6 Tom Robinson and who am I to disagree. He was accompanied for several songs with guitar and box drum. He has a smart business like appearance but his lyrics show a rougher edge. He played great set both solo and accompanied. He has a free gig on Friday 19th at the Blind Tiger Bolton and I would recommend seeing him for yourself. If you are disappointed I will refund your entrance fee!
Veocets consist of 3 young men from Manchester and they played a great set to an appreciate crowd. They have a good web site with several of their songs at www.veocets
They had plenty of energy and some really good songs to please the now nearly full house.
No Hot Ashes relaxed with a beer as the raffle took place with several people very pleased to have attended. Mr Peeps also offered a drink from his own branded bourbon!
The boys from the NHA were really up for the night and excited to demonstrate that they deserved to head a bill. They stood on stage backs to the audience as the drummer tapped out the time for the first song. It then went off as the guitars kicked in and the players danced around the stage. The energy and songs was were non stop with an almost stunned crowd. The velocets recognised an opportunity to go for it at the front and were soon joined by large numbers of the crowd.
After the gig finished and most people started to leave I looked around and laughed to myself, only at a Mr Peeps gig would you see raffle tickets and cork from his own branded champagne amongst the bottles and cans waiting to be swept up.
Once again thanks must go to Mr Peeps for inviting me to shoot another memorable gig, the bands for working so hard to provide some really quality tunes, Kraak for the hospitality and great sound quality and once again the other photographers for educating and tolerating me.
Some one asked how you tell which photographer is which, here is my guide:
| Photographer | Appearance | Actions |
| Gary @GBH68 | retro T shirt | Looking for pint |
| Billy @bise123 | Manc T Shirt | Looking for action shot |
| Mike @midi_photos | Well turned out | Looking for perfect angle |
| Rick @labrat167 | Black combat and T | Looking for lens cap |
| Sara @sazzle316 | She's a woman too many styles to list! | Looking for perfection in her shot |
Flying with Eagles
Saturday night and Im driving to Manchester for another night of live music. The venue is a traditional looking pub The Eagle Inn salford. Once you have navigated the local looking boozer the door opens onto a great performance space. Imagine ripping the internal walls and ceiling from small house and you are close.
It was good to meet up and catch up with DS Promotions who did the hard work to put the night on. They have a habit of finding great acts and so I was looking forward to this gig.
Im going to be accused of stalking her but once again Jess Kemp opened the night with another example of how great one musician and singer can sound. Im sure playing guitar, stomp drum while singing or playing harmonica must be an extreme form of rubbing head and patting your stomach. Thankfully Jess nailed it again. It is about time she got in the studio as I believe she would sell a lot of copies. Once again she played mainly her own songs with a couple of covers. I still think her song 2 coins is one of my favourites (sorry Jess if I got the tittle wrong). Talking to Jess she has a crazy busy schedule and so no excuses not to hear her yourself around the North West. Look her up under: Jesskempartist
Jess Kemp at Eagle InnSONY DSC
The Montoyas played a great set with great guitar work backed by a heavy drum beat, Monkey off my back is a great song and worth having a look for on reverberation. Im not sure if Dave the drummer was ready to release some tension but he really drove the band and they responded to make a great set.
The Madding Crowd consists of musicians of which at least 2 should be sectioned for their own safety. Ben wore silver jacket and matching boots and sang unaccompanied for the first verse before the rest of the band kicked in. I always think this is a brave way to start a gig but he pulled it off. What happened next really needs to be seen to be fully appreciated it included: spoken word, bass played so chilled her pulse was checked, lead singer putting everything into every song and showing real feeling, the blood drip from the fingers of a player onto the strings of his guitar and finally a guitar forced against a wall and subjected to sexual advances. They also managed to play some great music. Listening to Madding Crowd is good but they need to be seen.
The amplified Bandits are a 5 piece who soon demonstrate that you don't need 20 years experience to perform a solid set. They performed Men in black with a great confidence and continued to stay at this high standard for their set. This band has so much time to produce further great songs and develop. At present they have 2 songs on sound cloud that show the high standard of their performances.
Big thanks to Dave from DS Promotions and also the Eagle Inn for making me so welcome