Live Music: NEYO @Hammersmith Apollo
This is the last gig I shot for Blues and Soul Magazine so far. From the first second, with his entrance from above the stage, NEYO gave the tone. I knew it was going to be a great performance.
He is such a showman:
Live Music: Kristle Warren & Rox at Jazzafé, London
Yesterday’s lineup was just fantastic. I’ll be honest, I knew nothing about Kristle or Rox, but they are 2 very different yet very talented performers.
Kristle was witty and cracked a few jokes along the way. She engaged with the audience who paid total attention to her performance. And she has a crazy range, and a deep soulful and even jazzy voice when she reached the lower notes. She definitely warmed up the crowd and you can imagine that we all add high expectations for Rox’s performance with such a support act!
Believe me, though, when I say that the gorgeous Rox was too phenomenal:
More photos, along with the review, on Blues and Soul Magazine.
Live Music: Teena Marie @indigo O2
I cannot believe what a great Show Teena Marie gave to her audience here in London after so many years!!! The crowd was wild, and sang pretty much all the songs with her.
Teena, you really are a queen! (see the gig review in the next issue of Blues and Soul Magazine)
Live Music: PJ Morton @Bush Hall
When Vivian contacted me and Ilana to tell us about her new protege and the gig that she had organized at Bush Hall for him, we got very excited. We don’t see Vivian very often, but she has this amazing energy coming from her. It is always a pleasure to have her!
So we headed there, and listened to the smooth tunes of PJ Morton – Deep into the Atlanta Soul Music Vibe! Really nice stuff, go and have a listen: www.myspace.com/pjmorton.
Video: Some really inspiring stuff on vimeo!
like this:
Last Day Dream [HD] from Chris Milk on Vimeo.
Live Music: James Morrison @Wembley
Here is a gig I was quite surprised by. Because, I’m not usually into anything too rock/blues… -ish! But I was pleasantly surprised by James’ performance. And the way the crowd reacted to it really well. All in all a pretty good concert.
If you want to know more about it and read the review that these photos were for, check it out here on Blues And Soul Magazine.
Now, a few photos:
Live Music: Maxwell @O2 Brixton Academy
I have been a big Maxwell fan for over 10 years now, and I was waiting for his return to Europe for quite some time. So when the new album “BLACKsummers’ night” was announced I contacted B&S Magazine and told the editor he had to get me this gig! And thanks to him it happened.
Now I got there, all excited, and the first surprise was that I seemed to be the only photographer… But once I got to the pit, the security guys told me that Maxwell’s management was not allowing anyone in the front of the stage, and that I had to shoot from either side. I could not move from side to side once the gig would start. And as you guys probably know by now if you have been following my blog, we are only allowed to shoot the first 3 songs with no flash. It’s not systematic, but almost.
Then the gig started, Maxwell appeared on stage from behind the curtain. The lights went off, and to my surprise, he was only lit from one side… And yes, you got it, my second surprise: it’s lit from the other side! Turns out there was another photographer, and lucky she was to be on the right side!
So here we are, hit the jump for a series of dark silhouette on the stage… (more…)
Live Music: Motown week – Jack Ashford and The Funk Brothers, The Supremes, Brenda Holloway, Mable John, Chris Clark and Thelma Houston
So who is not a fan of all the Motown tunes we all know?
I had the chance to spend quite a few evenings last week shooting the different performances put together to celebrate Motown and the music and people during these wonderful years. And the person in the center of this reunion was Jack Ashford. For the ones who do not know him, here is an excerpt of the bio on his website: “Funk Brother Jack Ashford is a celebrated Motown musician who recorded on mostly all the hits released in the 1960’s and early 1970’s for such legendary performers as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Jr. Walker, Marvin Gaye and many, many, more…” - Pretty impressive right? (more…)
Live Music: Ginuwine & Joe @ Indigo O2
Another Gig shot for Blues and Soul Magazine this week. And Although Ginuwine was supporting Joe, it felt like two well polished shows in one night!
Ginuwine rocked the house, showing a happy face all through his performance. Being back on stage and connecting with his audience seemed to make him nostalgic. He sang old tunes and new material. And he even made a Michael Jackson tribute by singing a great medley of his best tunes. The people in the audience sang with him and showed him some love.
Live Music: Lil Wayne @ HMV Hammersmith Apollo
Well, although I was really looking forward to this one, I had a pretty difficult gig. I got there fairly early and was asked to wait in the hall after getting my photo pass. And 10 mins after the show started, they still hadn’t put me (and 2 other photographer) through.
Eventually, they took us down to the pit. The first 2 songs had gone by already, and I started shooting. and literally after about 4 mins, they asked us all to stop and escorted us out!
So, I’m afraid the result is not as good as usually, and I am pretty disappointed. But hey, what can you do! I ended up with this set:
Live Music: The MOBO Awards 2009 – Glasgow, UK
So the MOBO Awards 2009 are over!! – and what a night!! Big names including Jermaine and La Toya Jackson, Keri Hilson, Kelly Rowland, David Guetta, Chipmunk and JLS all turned up.
11 acts performed including Tinchy Strider who did the opening with Dappy from N-Dubz:
To see the rest of this post, click the
Live Music: Keith Sweat @ Indigo O2
I have been preparing for the MOBO awards all day, with Ilana. Tomorrow we’re going to Glasgow for some well deserved… work! lol indeed. Life is harsh sometimes! lol
And I’ve had the Flu, so didn’t really take the time to upload these onto the blog until now, sorry people! And since i’m still feeling really weak and tired, i’ve only selected about 6 or 7 shots and a couple of the crowd :)
And soon, as for most of the recent gigz, the rest of the photos will be featured onto Blues and Soul Magazine, along with the review :)
Live Music: Jeff Beck and the Imelda May Band @ Indigo O2
Just a few pics, cause the review will be up on Blues and Soul magazine in the upcoming edition.
Live Music: Jay-Z @ The Roundhouse
For the people who follow me, either on facebook, twitter or here, you know already that I was waiting for this like a kid! For the others, you’ll be happy to know that I am a big big fan of all Black, Soul, Hip-Hop and Reggae Music… So you can imagine, It was a real treat for me.
Now, if you follow The Roundhouse on twitter, you know that the £50 tickets went flying! They wrote, at 9:10 am, so about 10 mins after the tickets went on sale: “Jay-Z – SOLD OUT in 2 and a half minutes!”. 2 and a half Minute?? Can you believe it? Nuts! But once you see the man perform, you very quickly understand why.
Now the sad part of the story is that, although usually it’s no problem to stay after shooting for the rest of the show, this time the staff was very strict, and after 2 songs (2! not even 3!) all the photographers got escorted out…
Here are a few pics until you see most of the set on Blues and Soul Magazine along with Lee’s Review:
Live Music: The PB Underground @Cargo
It’s so rare to find some real good Funk Music these days, that when my friend Pete Ray Biggin called to ask me to cover his gig at Cargo, I was really happy and excited. The band is a crazy talented bunch, and you’ve probably seen them play with the biggest artists in London. And their Funk is Baaaaaaaaad! ahah!
It’s the second time I saw them live. But this time, the venue was so dark that I had to use a very high ISO (between 1600 and 3200) to only see something in the frame! Thanks to my 5D Mk II, it’s so versatile and provides such a quality at high ISO, that I managed anyway! That’s really the kind of situation that makes it clear why to be able to perform in any situation, you need to have the best gear your money can buy.
And now the photos: (more…)
Live Music: Incognito @ Indigo O2
Another one for Blues and Soul Magazine. Had a blast, the musicians were just amazing! Pete Ray Biggin on Drum (tours with Mark Ronson and many others!) and Jocelyne Brown as a guest…
There were many vocalists, keyboard player, percussion, Brass section and an Orchestra… I mean, it couldn’t be more amazing!
Time for the photos!
Event: Kassia’s EP Launch
Our good friend Kassia A.K.A Bunty has launched her latest EP called “Bunty say Go” with 6 wonderful tracks she wrote. She uses a loop pedal to record her voice and create her own live track, and then sings on it! Obviously, Ilana and Kassia being such good friends, there was no way we would miss it.
And although I did take some photos of the night, I think nothing can give you a taste of it like a little clip filmed on my trusted 5D MkII and the 70-200mm L IS F/2.8 :
This is the last track on the EP, called “Things that we love”. Hope you enjoy it.
Check out her website and the collective she is part of called Beatabet!
Secret Garden Party Festival
Ok, So it’s been a while since I posted something and so this post is gonna elp me catch up a little bit. Ilana is still working hard on her album, and I have been there to help but it’s been keeping her fairly busy! And this week-end we went to The Secret Garden Party festival to chill out a little and listen to some good music in a fantasy world! And let me tell you, it was amazing :)
Great Friends, like Kassia:
Event: Personal Space @ Barons Court Theatre
My friend Kevin had the idea of putting his own event on a long time ago. But since he tours with The Streets and prepare his own solo career at the same time, I can only imagine how busy he’s been. But he surrounded himself with great people and they went to work!
The result is this very intimate evening, in a lovely old theatre, full of character and wonderful lighting. Small room, with the audience sitting on all sides. Everybody becomes quiet when an act is starting and the attention is there.
This is the first night, the opening and I hope the first one of a long series:
Live Music: TéTé @ Monto Water Rats
This one has a special place in my heart. I have been listening to TéTé’s music for years and saw him Live back in France a couple of times. So when my friend told me he was trying to book him to play a London gig, I got really excited. And they did it, TéTé in London!
On the night, I got some video footage of the gig (from my trusted Canon 5D MkII), which you’ll find at the bottom of this post, but of course I snapped a few ones from the little spot I had by the left of the stage first…
Event: Personal Space is Back!
It says it all! some familiar faces and some new faces. But only Raw Talent!
Live Music: FatBack Band @ Indigo O2
Another great gig yesterday, The FatBack Band! I’m throwing a few photos out there but there will be a feature on Blues and Sould Magazine.
Live Music: Master Shortie @ Indigo O2
The title says it all! Brilliant Gig, Great Performer!
And now, the photos:
Live Music: Brandy @ Indigo O2, London
Hey all! Another gig tonight shot for Blues and Soul. Brandy! I used to listen to her music a few years back and was happy to see she still has it! She was warm with the audience, confident and smiley.
