Labyrinth

For those keeping score, I haven't bothered blogging about

Crowded House - awkward shooting position, no pit. Great show, poor shots.

Westlife - I'd been warned about the lighting but found it good on the night. Apparently we got better light that most had on this tour. Pit.

Leona Lewis - First 3, in front of the sounddesk, along with Gabriella Cilmi.

Money For Nothing

/\ Look at me showing wilful ignorance of his solo catalogue.

Shot Mark Knopfler tonight at the MEN - surprised to find that it was fixed position and a good way back from the stage - the 400mm would have been ideal, but of course I didn't have it with me!

Kind & Generous

A pleasant evening with Natalie Merchant last night at the Lowry.

Hate To Say I Told You So

In fairness, I knew they were running a review today because they were going to use my photos. The photo in the article isn't one of mine. But it does re-iterate the point - that photo does nobody any favours.

Vickers Review, NOTW

You'll Never Get To Heaven

Normally, the photos I put up here are ones I at least quite like, so this is an odd offering, but really it's here just to illustrate a point, that some venues are becoming almost a no-go zone for photographers, and Manchester Academy 2 is currently absolutely top of the list.

They're attracting a reasonable calibre of artists, and then making it impossible for the paying audience to see them by washing them out in blues and reds, and indeed not even having house lights before bands come on - one day there could easily be a stabbing in there and nobody will be any the wiser, because I'm pretty sure the security can't see any more in the murk of the crowd.

I'm not convinced that anyone wants these blue and red gels the whole damn show. The artist? The crowd? The 'togs? Their PRs? Anyone? Speak up if anyone is reading this and thinks "That's *just* what we need".

It's one of many things that currently makes me want to give up on this whole thing. The hours, the stupid contracts, the increasing presence of paps in the pit for anyone halfway famous.

So here's Diana Vickers from Wednesday night. Another evening wasted at Academy 2.



Not much booked in for next week - possibly Natalie Merchant on Monday to go alongside a live review, Mark Knopfler looking likely for Tuesday, and then a question mark over Crowded House on Weds or Thurs. Might try and get across to Liverpool for the Sugarhill Gang Thursday.

Best Friend

For those keeping count, I've missed blogging a couple of shows - La Roux (no fun to shoot, although I Blame Coco, the support was better), and a second stab at Rihanna and Pixie Lott (better for Pixie, worse for Rihanna).

Here's a shot of Florence's support, The Drums, in which The Lighting Guy thought that it would be better if Jonathan Pierce looked like he should be in Avatar.

Girl With One Eye

Love shooting Florence, even when the lighting makes it hard, her theatricality means you get something.

Umbrella

Buyers remorse over my new long lense? Absolutely none... this was shot from the soundboard.

Celebrity Skin

Terrific evening at the academy. 3 talented bands, loads of fun.

Hole


Little Fish


Tiffany Page


Tonight, however, I will need my Umbrella-ella-ella. And a very long lense.

Crazy Nights

Bands that everyone in the pit would cheerfully shoot every night. #1 in a series of, oh, about #10, I'd say.

Straight No Chaser

Mr Hudson in Liverpool tonight.

To summarise.

• Actual lighting
• No ridiculous contract

Onwards and upwards. For on Tuesday, we rock...