James Blunt played to a sold out Newcastle City Hall on Friday night, on the most recent date of his current World Tour, and left a lasting impression on everyone there. The diverse audience including people of every age, style and creed, brought together for one night.
The set opened with a stage full of musicians, but no James Blunt as the introduction rang around the venue. Shortly after it was joined by the sound of a wave of applause as the man himself entered from the back of the room and moved through the crowd itself. He hit the stage just as the vocals began, and the crowd went wild.
His vocals were record perfect throughout the night and it’s clear he has perfect control over every note he sings. His unique style and tone allow him to convey genuine pathos during his more emotional songs. Then he has the energy needed to pull off his high tempo numbers, with a rhythm which bounces through your bones and takes hold of your feet, if your not up and dancing you'll be tapping your toes.
In some circles it seems to be un-cool to like James Blunt, it could be his portrayed poshness or unusual speaking voice, either way it’s a shame. The man is one of our countries most talented artists and has produced quality songs, which are, loved the world over. Fans were treated to songs from his newest album, as well as his best-known hits from the albums Back to Bedlam and All The Lost Souls. It wont come as a surprise that i would choose Your Beautiful as the song of night, but when a tune unites the crowd in such a way, it is hard to look beyond it.
His music is melodic, thoughtful and beautifully crafted. The raw emotion which he poured into the performance of Goodbye My Lover, resonated in the room with anyone who had ever suffered a broken heart.
His encore was just a continuation of what was a quality night, leaving the hit 1973 until last, meaning every word was harmonised by the crowd. By the end of the song Blunt was riding his piano like a surfboard. Absurd and amazing, the man is the perfect live performer, and the smile across his face was testament to his genuine appreciation as he left the stage to a well-deserved standing ovation.
Monday 21 February 2011
Tuesday 26 October 2010
Update to the max!
Bonjour!
Bowling For Soup at the o2 Academy - Newcastle: http://gigape.com/archives/1657
Kate Nash at the o2 Academy - Newcastle: http://gigape.com/archives/1704
More to come soon peeps!
Be sure to check out my other points of call!
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/craig-nelson-photography/125689764148800
My Website: http://www.wix.com/craignelson/musicinfocus
Bowling For Soup at the o2 Academy - Newcastle: http://gigape.com/archives/1657
Kate Nash at the o2 Academy - Newcastle: http://gigape.com/archives/1704
More to come soon peeps!
Be sure to check out my other points of call!
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/craig-nelson-photography/125689764148800
My Website: http://www.wix.com/craignelson/musicinfocus
Friday 15 October 2010
Long time...no update
Sorry guys.
Ive been writing for another website so havent been keeping up to date on here. Which i know is very bad. So what im going to do, for as long as im writing for them, ill be updating the blog with links to the articles which im writing and photographs ive taken.
Its been a pretty busy couple of months actually, lots of gigs and lots of photographs and reviews. The website im writing for at the moment is called www.gigape.com.
The Broadcast at the o2 Academy - Newcastle: http://gigape.com/archives/144
Amy Macdonald at Belladrum Festival - Inverness: http://gigape.com/archives/234
Barenaked Ladies at the o2 Academy - Newcastle: http://gigape.com/archives/656
Various Artists at Split Festival - Sunderland: http://gigape.com/archives/848
Mayday Parade at the o2 Academy - Newcastle: http://gigape.com/archives/1196
Sound Of Guns at the o2 Academy - Newcastle: http://gigape.com/archives/1226
Various artists coming up soon including; Bowling for Soup/Fenix Tx/Amy Macdonald/ Twenty Twenty/Pendulum.
Stay Tuned! =)
xx
Ive been writing for another website so havent been keeping up to date on here. Which i know is very bad. So what im going to do, for as long as im writing for them, ill be updating the blog with links to the articles which im writing and photographs ive taken.
Its been a pretty busy couple of months actually, lots of gigs and lots of photographs and reviews. The website im writing for at the moment is called www.gigape.com.
The Broadcast at the o2 Academy - Newcastle: http://gigape.com/archives/144
Amy Macdonald at Belladrum Festival - Inverness: http://gigape.com/archives/234
Barenaked Ladies at the o2 Academy - Newcastle: http://gigape.com/archives/656
Various Artists at Split Festival - Sunderland: http://gigape.com/archives/848
Mayday Parade at the o2 Academy - Newcastle: http://gigape.com/archives/1196
Sound Of Guns at the o2 Academy - Newcastle: http://gigape.com/archives/1226
Various artists coming up soon including; Bowling for Soup/Fenix Tx/Amy Macdonald/ Twenty Twenty/Pendulum.
Stay Tuned! =)
xx
Wednesday 18 August 2010
Big D and the kids table + Mouthwash 10/08/2010
Location: O2 Academy Newcastle
Photopass wasnt exactly on the door, but someone came down with it after about 5 minutes! So no problem at all there! so straight into the review! Huzzah!
First of all. Just a heads up. If you really dont like Ska music you might not enjoy this review, as these are 3 of the best Ska bands ive ever heard.
Review:
Mouthwash! (i dont know whats with all the !!'s today? maybe im shouting this whole thing!)
I have to start the song 'No Fear' as its still stuck in my head. Its quite clearly their anthem, and as soon as it starts bouncing through the crowd, everyones hands are above their heads clapping. Though the whole set was as thougtful and a pleasure for your ears.
Instruments were being changed and swapped throughout the whole set, energy and movement throughout every member of the band, and every one of them singing along with the lyrics. A definate listen for someone who enjoys their Ska or awesome music in general, and a bit of healthy competition for the likes of Reel Big Fish.
Next up! The JB Conspiracy!
Another talented group of musicians with a bunch of catchy, dance inducing party tunes. Rythmn which bounces through your bones and takes hold of your legs, if your not swinging your arms and legs uncontrollably, you'll be tapping your foot and i bet you cant stop it.
At one point one of the group jumped up over the pitwall and into the crowd began skanking and playing his instrument in the crowd itself before making his way back up onto the stage.
A quality shock and awe moment, and just shows the joy which the band find in playing to a crowd. Just as good as Mouthwash and another quality opener in what was fast becoming a great show.
Enter *Big D and the kids table*
The music is clear, melodic and beautifully thoughful and well crafted. Every note is there for a reason, and the lyrics scored through the middle to highlight the talent in the player of each instrument.
David McWane is the coolest guy ive ever seen in my life. He held the crowd in the palm of his hand with laugh out loud funny stories and a geniune rapport with the crowd, he positioned himself as the best front man ive ever seen preform live.
Playing up to every member of the crowd and every camera pointed at him, its obvious that he is a natural born preformer. The music channelled through him into the crowd, every member of it, with a smile on their face, mirrored by the massive grin on his face while he preforms.
A talented band, with catchy upbeat tunes, an awesome ending to an awesome show.
http://www.myspace.com/mouthwashlondon
http://www.facebook.com/thejbconspiracy?ref=ts
http://www.myspace.com/bigdandthekidstable
Photopass wasnt exactly on the door, but someone came down with it after about 5 minutes! So no problem at all there! so straight into the review! Huzzah!
First of all. Just a heads up. If you really dont like Ska music you might not enjoy this review, as these are 3 of the best Ska bands ive ever heard.
Review:
Mouthwash! (i dont know whats with all the !!'s today? maybe im shouting this whole thing!)
I have to start the song 'No Fear' as its still stuck in my head. Its quite clearly their anthem, and as soon as it starts bouncing through the crowd, everyones hands are above their heads clapping. Though the whole set was as thougtful and a pleasure for your ears.
Instruments were being changed and swapped throughout the whole set, energy and movement throughout every member of the band, and every one of them singing along with the lyrics. A definate listen for someone who enjoys their Ska or awesome music in general, and a bit of healthy competition for the likes of Reel Big Fish.
Next up! The JB Conspiracy!
Another talented group of musicians with a bunch of catchy, dance inducing party tunes. Rythmn which bounces through your bones and takes hold of your legs, if your not swinging your arms and legs uncontrollably, you'll be tapping your foot and i bet you cant stop it.
At one point one of the group jumped up over the pitwall and into the crowd began skanking and playing his instrument in the crowd itself before making his way back up onto the stage.
A quality shock and awe moment, and just shows the joy which the band find in playing to a crowd. Just as good as Mouthwash and another quality opener in what was fast becoming a great show.
Enter *Big D and the kids table*
The music is clear, melodic and beautifully thoughful and well crafted. Every note is there for a reason, and the lyrics scored through the middle to highlight the talent in the player of each instrument.
David McWane is the coolest guy ive ever seen in my life. He held the crowd in the palm of his hand with laugh out loud funny stories and a geniune rapport with the crowd, he positioned himself as the best front man ive ever seen preform live.
Playing up to every member of the crowd and every camera pointed at him, its obvious that he is a natural born preformer. The music channelled through him into the crowd, every member of it, with a smile on their face, mirrored by the massive grin on his face while he preforms.
A talented band, with catchy upbeat tunes, an awesome ending to an awesome show.
http://www.myspace.com/mouthwashlondon
http://www.facebook.com/thejbconspiracy?ref=ts
http://www.myspace.com/bigdandthekidstable
Wednesday 11 August 2010
Amy Mcdonald: 07/08/2010
Location: Belladrum Festival 2010 (Inverness)
I was already working the festival anyway, so i thought if im there i may aswell get some shots, Amy was headling the mainstage on the Saturday night so i thought it would be a good opportunity to crack out the long distance lens and take a few. Got into position towards center stage and waited for the set to start. The sheer quality of her voice was evident from the first note of the first song, through the the final of the last song. Theres a reason her songs are so popular, and i now know firsthand why she is reviewed so well for her live music also. Every song was belted out with the confidence of a veteran preformer, and sounded as good if not better than the studio recorded versions of the songs. She played through her barrage of hits including; 'This is the life', 'Mr Rock and roll', and 'Dont tell me that its over'. Her originality showing through, and her stage presence kept every eye in the crowd on her.
Amy Mcdonald photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624558386301/
I was already working the festival anyway, so i thought if im there i may aswell get some shots, Amy was headling the mainstage on the Saturday night so i thought it would be a good opportunity to crack out the long distance lens and take a few. Got into position towards center stage and waited for the set to start. The sheer quality of her voice was evident from the first note of the first song, through the the final of the last song. Theres a reason her songs are so popular, and i now know firsthand why she is reviewed so well for her live music also. Every song was belted out with the confidence of a veteran preformer, and sounded as good if not better than the studio recorded versions of the songs. She played through her barrage of hits including; 'This is the life', 'Mr Rock and roll', and 'Dont tell me that its over'. Her originality showing through, and her stage presence kept every eye in the crowd on her.
Amy Mcdonald photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624558386301/
Not Advised + They Sink Ships : 04/08/2010
Location: 02 Academy Newcastle
Hi lo mon amigos. Straight in no troubles!
Review:
Forever Living Dead. The quality of the band was way beyond what you would suspect for the first warmup band at this sort of gig. I was really impressed with the complexity of the songs they were breaking out, multi-layered, strong lyrics against shredded rock guitar riffs. Comparable to the harder stuff which Funeral for a friend have produced.
Forever Living Dead Set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624655556400/
Next up. They Sink Ships. Powerful and thoughtful lyrics against a pop punk drum line hurried along by high speed guitar riffs, firmly positioning themselves in the pop-punk mold, and they pull it off well. So though you may not find anything which sets them apart from the pack. Theyre enjoyable to listen to, and surely thats the point? The song "Tired Eyes" is a quality tune and you can feel a bit of a Say Anything-feel to the song whilst not changing from their upbeat pop-punk style.
They Sink Ships set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624655623218/
Main band! Not Advised. I was a little disappointed at first when the band came out, as that was when we realised that the main frontman Jim couldnt sing due to a problem with his voice, so another member had to step up to the plate. It’s a testament to the quality of the tunes that they still sounded as good whilst the main frontman wasn’t singing them. 'The Worlds Not Ready' a song someone like the Lost Prophets would be happy to have in their setlist. A pop-punk anthem that vibrates around the academy as its sung back to the band by the crowd, "i found a way to keep you coming..keep you coming back". The rest of the set just as quality, filled with party anthems and brough alive by the energy within the band. Quality.
Not Advised photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624530968527/
http://www.myspace.com/foreverlivingdead
http://www.myspace.com/theysinkships
http://www.myspace.com/notadvised
Hi lo mon amigos. Straight in no troubles!
Review:
Forever Living Dead. The quality of the band was way beyond what you would suspect for the first warmup band at this sort of gig. I was really impressed with the complexity of the songs they were breaking out, multi-layered, strong lyrics against shredded rock guitar riffs. Comparable to the harder stuff which Funeral for a friend have produced.
Forever Living Dead Set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624655556400/
Next up. They Sink Ships. Powerful and thoughtful lyrics against a pop punk drum line hurried along by high speed guitar riffs, firmly positioning themselves in the pop-punk mold, and they pull it off well. So though you may not find anything which sets them apart from the pack. Theyre enjoyable to listen to, and surely thats the point? The song "Tired Eyes" is a quality tune and you can feel a bit of a Say Anything-feel to the song whilst not changing from their upbeat pop-punk style.
They Sink Ships set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624655623218/
Main band! Not Advised. I was a little disappointed at first when the band came out, as that was when we realised that the main frontman Jim couldnt sing due to a problem with his voice, so another member had to step up to the plate. It’s a testament to the quality of the tunes that they still sounded as good whilst the main frontman wasn’t singing them. 'The Worlds Not Ready' a song someone like the Lost Prophets would be happy to have in their setlist. A pop-punk anthem that vibrates around the academy as its sung back to the band by the crowd, "i found a way to keep you coming..keep you coming back". The rest of the set just as quality, filled with party anthems and brough alive by the energy within the band. Quality.
Not Advised photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624530968527/
http://www.myspace.com/foreverlivingdead
http://www.myspace.com/theysinkships
http://www.myspace.com/notadvised
Wednesday 21 July 2010
Hey guys. Just an update on a few bands
Ive kept tabs on all the bands ive photographed just so that i can keep you guys up to date. So ill give you a rundown of any interesting developments for any of the bands, whenever it happens. Starting.....now:
Francesqa: Released their new EP 'We Lived' currently ranked at no6 on the UK Rock Chart on Itunes. Definately worth a download folks. 5 songs £3.95, and quality throughout. 'Ghosts' the single an absolute peach which is currently getting requested a bucket load, with good reason, on channels such as Kerrang!
Buy me here.
Out OF Sight: Released their debut album 'Where Do We Go From Here'. I hope they have started as they mean to go on. As these guys can be as big as their ambition takes them. 10 tunes. Pure gold. Starting with the upbeat and feet moving party tune 'You Know What I Mean'. Leading straight into 'This Is What Livin' Really Feels Like' my favourite song of the album. As ive already noted, amazing live, and recorded to keep the same spirit.
House Party? Get Out OF Sight on. Lose control. Dance. The quality continues throughout, never letting up, get me to the dancefloor!
Buy me here.
Thats it for now.
http://www.myspace.com/outofsight
http://www.myspace.com/Francesqa
Francesqa: Released their new EP 'We Lived' currently ranked at no6 on the UK Rock Chart on Itunes. Definately worth a download folks. 5 songs £3.95, and quality throughout. 'Ghosts' the single an absolute peach which is currently getting requested a bucket load, with good reason, on channels such as Kerrang!
Buy me here.
Out OF Sight: Released their debut album 'Where Do We Go From Here'. I hope they have started as they mean to go on. As these guys can be as big as their ambition takes them. 10 tunes. Pure gold. Starting with the upbeat and feet moving party tune 'You Know What I Mean'. Leading straight into 'This Is What Livin' Really Feels Like' my favourite song of the album. As ive already noted, amazing live, and recorded to keep the same spirit.
House Party? Get Out OF Sight on. Lose control. Dance. The quality continues throughout, never letting up, get me to the dancefloor!
Buy me here.
Thats it for now.
http://www.myspace.com/outofsight
http://www.myspace.com/Francesqa
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