Tiger Please + Francesqa : 24/06/2010

Location: 02 Academy Newcastle

Hello again!

Much smoother this time. Photopass was at the box office so headed straight upstairs.

Review:

The openers were a local band called Laconia, from Chester-le-street. Where i just so happened to go to school, and actually had a close friend who knew one of the band members, meaning that although they were probably realtive unknowns to most of the crowd, i had been listening to their older stuff for a while. The song "Your God is your enemy" being the song which i remembered them for mostly, a quality rock tune reminiscent of the likes of Staind and Trapt. Due to there being a reshuffle of the band however, this wasnt a song which they played in the set, and is no longer listed on their myspace.

They were definately heavier rock than the other bands playing, but the lyrics were still crystal clear, and front man put on a great show, resulting in some of the best pictures of the night being shot during their set. There was a great tempo and beat to the music which lends itself well to a live setting, and went down well with, what was a mostly Emo/Punk crowd.

Laconia photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624399619448/



Next up were Tiger Please. This was the band id been looking forward to most of all during the night, as when id researched the band, and checked up on their songs on their myspace, i became just a little bit addicted to the tune "Winter and the Storyteller".

Their set started with a guitar solo but no frontman on stage. I scan the crowd and see the vocalist stood in the middle of the crowd watching. Awaits the perfect moment. Then runs up onto the stage, as this lyrics start. An awesome entrance and the talent shines through from the start.

Throughout the gig i was trying to think who they reminded me of, theres bits of early Snow Patrol..Kings of Leon and Keane, but what conclusion i came to in the end was, that they sound exactly like Tiger Please. Passionate and meaningful lyrics, in songs that start strong and get stronger throughout. A band i wouldnt be suprised to be playing the mainstage at a major festival in the next few years, if theyre as ambitious as they are talented.

Tiger Please photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624274853749/



Next up. Francesqa.

Pretty much gave up with taking photos for the first couple of songs of the gig, as they were using a super bright strobe light, which my camera didnt love at all. So at least it let me just sit back and enjoy the music. "Ghosts" Great single. Rythemnic upbeat and catchy. Kicked out by a confident and energetic frontman. He bounced and headbanged around the stage, with a string of cameras tying to catch his movement. Every song leading on perfectly from the previous. A very well put together set, and enjoyable, whipping everyone there into a bouncing smile filled frenzy.
 





















Francesqa photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624351443166/


Laconia: Facebook
http://www.myspace.com/tigerplease
http://www.myspace.com/francesqa

Out Of Sight + Every Avenue : 02/06/2010

Location: 02 Academy Newcastle.

Arrived at the gig, camera bag on back and water bottle in hand.

First things first, water bottle in bin because theyre not allowed in the Academy, but free water on tap from the bar. Awesome. Head to the box office, to pick up my photopass where im greeted and advised that though im on the Guestlist im not down to have a photopass. He asks which company im shooting for, and advise that its freelance at the moment, but tell him i do have the number for the bands tour manager. Give Jack Fairbrother (Out Of Sights manager) a call, and he sends someone down to sort it out.

Ted the drummer comes down too,and asks if i can concentrate on him for a while, to get a few good shots they could maybe send off to their drum sponsor SJC, tell him thats fine and head upstairs.


Review:

Squeel. Silence. Light off. Lights on.

The openers were Me Vs Hero. Their energy helping but not really making up for a lack of real edge. Tunes that were at points catchy and upbeat, but quite generic. The frontman not really lending himself to gig photography, being the most stationary of the band, but still a very good vocalist, the words burning through the strong guitar riffs resulting in zingy tunes which built up the crowd .                                                                                                          

Me Vs Hero photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624291022502/

Next up were Out OF Sight. The standout band of the three.

From the first chord, you knew these guys were in a different league, to that of MeVsHero. Rythmnic and catchy punk party tunes that had me on some occasions forgetting to take photos, and allowing myself to be drawn into the vibrations and bouncing they were creating in the room. All members of the band seemed more than at ease dealing with a crowd, and seemed like a bunch of guys who love playing music with their friends and just so happen to be extremely talented while doing it. The song "This is what livin' really feels like" being the highlight for me, a catchy tune i havent been able to get out of my head since. With the sort of feel good lyrics and danceability Blink182 would be happy to recreate in their next album. When they finished their set, the buzz was there for all to feel.

Out Of Sight photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624291155028/



The main act of the night was Every Avenue, a professional sounding/looking outfit, while not as upbeat and catchy with their tunes, brought a fresh sound with some cracking lyrics. The frontman of the band being the easiest of anyone during the night to photograph. Looking a little bit like New Found Glory's Jordan Pundik. His interaction with the crowd produced sparks and came across genuinely during the softer parts of their songs.

Every Avenue photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cnphotocn/sets/72157624179895685/

http://www.myspace.com/mevshero

http://www.myspace.com/outofsight

http://www.myspace.com/everyavenue

Hello there

First post on the new blog. Hello peeps and peoples.

What will follow is a long and hopefully enjoyable journey through the UK music industry.

Photographs from the pit and reviews from my head, out of my fingers and thrown at your faces.

Enjoy

CrNe.