February Gig Compendium
By James | Mar 14th, 2012 | Live Music |
Starting with an orchestra rehearsal shoot featuring upmarket TV actor Hugh Bonneville, ending with a wedding (both of which I will blog about separately… at some point) and taking in chart pop, hip hop, synth indie, French uber-house and a giant glowing crucifix, February was nothing if not varied. Here’s a bite-sized summation of those 29 days…
HMV Next Big Thing
As laughable as the title for this series might be when you consider that nearly 200 acts are on the bill, spread over 9 venues and 10 nights (what, all of them?!) I’m a bit of a sucker for the kind of events that shoehorn in the lopsided optimism of a brand new year onto multiple-band bills. I shot two of the gigs, both at The Garage, which turned out to be decent experiences, mainly due to the lighting being about a megawatt or twenty brighter than your average Garage gigs. Cover Drive, being a hot-hot-hot number 1 pop chart act, were bathed in the stuff making for an enjoyable shoot in spite of a lack of pit. Headliner that night, Clement Marfo & The Frontline, (also sans pit) turned out to be faster moving, barely lit and much more difficult. Dog is Dead and flamboyant Adam Ant tributee King Charles earlier in the week had a pit, more light, but a penchant for annoying blues and reds. Still, came away with some decent results.
Justice @ Brixton Academy
Mammoth, earth-quaking, ear-shaking, skull-compressing, bass-heavy French post-House mammoths Justice are renowned for their idiosyncratic impressions and overwhelming live shows. Photographically, though, there is essentially one shot. Got that in the bag, i think, so job done.
The Wombats @ Brixton Academy
Giddy OTT synth-indie-pop with any redeeming features generally drowned out in seconds by its incessant need to be liked. Never been a fan. But had a proper blast shooting them actually. Light was generous. They were full of beans. Really mustn’t grumble.
