Teardrop

Shot Massive Attack tonight at Manchester Apollo. Definitely the trickiest lighting I've ever had to contend with. Got a few that I'm happy with, but was grateful for the five songs they gave us!

Drumming Song

Shot Florence & The Machine again tonight. Despite reports of dodgy lighting on previous dates, we were given enough to work with this evening and I think I acquitted myself decently.

The set itself was good, although uneven, and quite a lot of the nuance of the record is lost in the live delivery. Compared to the crowd at St Phil's, I had to wonder how many of them really knew who Florence was, or whether they were there because she's received so much attention recently, as some of them didn't seem to be enjoying it.

The album remains one of my favourites of the year and at this point seems unlikely to be unseated. Here follows random notes, then. There's something about it that feels like a coherent whole record, so I'll overlook the dubious gender politics of Kiss With A Fist.

It could almost take that album of the year mantle for Blinding alone, which tonight was delivered with none of the album's subtlety and an unnecessary squall of feedback. It's a perfect ending song (not least because of the whispered "Someone's slipping through the hidden door"? part) but it didn't feel right tonight and I don't know why.

Leaders Of The Free World

Shot Elbow last night at the MEN Arena. Lighting was 'a bit tricky' to say the least, but got a few good shots.

Take To The Sky

I think Sunday was the first time I've ever shot anyone I'm a huge fan of. Unusual in that we got put in the balcony for one song! But you make do with what you're given, and at least we got in.

In terms of the actual show, though, it's the best I've seen her do in a decade. I've no problem with admitting that I've found the last two tours to be pretty dreary, so I was surprised to find her so revitalised. I think it helped that she dug deeper into the catalogue than she had in a while - between the two nights I saw, we got Playboy Mommy, Pandora's Aquarium, Siren, Carbon, Caught A Lite Sneeze and Cloud On My Tongue, amongst others. Even Precious Things sounds revitalised. For the first time in a couple of tours, I've come away wishing I was going to more shows. That can only be a good thing.

Back To Life

OK, Summer Sundae's done. Only a couple of acts really caught my eye yesterday, and there was only one standout, Imelda May - her sense of fun is infectious and I really enjoyed shooting her and wish I could have stayed to watch the rest of the set.



On the pleasant surprise list, we have Devon Sproule, a folk singer who I caught on the main stage.



But my first prize rosette for surprise of the festival was local girl Becky Syson who I caught in the Musician tent early on Sunday morning having been unceremoniously evicted from my hotel room by an early check-out time. I'd been drawn in by the promise of free tea, but stayed for the tunes and chilled out atmosphere. It was nice to finally have a 'festival moment' - and of course, I didn't have my camera out. Give her a listen here.

Public Service Announcement

The Joy Formidable still rock. That is all. You may now resume your daily business.

Summer Sundae

So, Day 1 of Summer Sundae is done. Got to say that they've made huge strides forward since I was last there. There's a lovely child-friendly, alcohol-free early called the Gardens, more stages, more facilities, lots more stalls. Really impressed, and a great atmosphere.

Here's a quick shot of Idlewild, last night's headliners after The Streets pulled out at the last minute due to the dread swine 'flu.