V Festival, Chelmsford - day 2

I had a great nights rest last night. I blew out the sleeping in a tent surrounded by pissed up folk, instead I chose the first class luxury of the back of the hire van I drove here in. Nice, dry and quiet. In the morning I went to the nearest Little Chef to eat and take advantage of there WiFi to send a few more pictures through to Filmmagic. After an hour or so I headed back to Hylands Park for Day two.

I'm not too excited about the line up today as in comparison to yesterday it seems a bit Lame on first glance. Still, my first band of the day is The Goo Goo Dolls, and what a great start they are. I really like the this band and have a couple of there albums kicking around. I thought they seemed a bit early in the day but still sounded excellent, then down to the C4 Stage for Mark Ronson and as soon as we had the first three in the bag we were whisked back down to the main stage for James Morrison. James was great although I did keep hearing some other photographers moaning about how he always seems to look like he is in a world of pain when bellowing out the hits. These facial expressions are what make good pictures if you ask my opinion...

Actually this morning doesn't seemed too bad. It has a certain feel of relax around the camp. As we were about to head down to the JJB tent for McFly the press room here was echoing with comments about how the world wouldn't miss McFly. I feel completely opposite as I have shot the boys on many an occasion and have never had a bad experience so far. They have the energy and flare to make any show they perform a hit with every last person in the arena! Very few bands I photograph give me the reason to get exited with my work but these lads never seem to fail. Today at V was no exception! Stage jumps, audience participation, loud teeny-processed rock music and lots of screaming girlie's- another McFly performance if ever I've seen it!

Then it was back to the C4 stage for Mark Ronson, who admittedly I'm not too familiar with, still a good enough and definitely layed back but meant that I had to blow out KT Tunstall. I didn't quite make it back to the stage on time to be allowed into the pit so I was slightly disappointed with that.

Never mind, this did mean that I could concentrate on uploading the day so far to the picture desk to keep them happy so I soon cheered up and it also gave me the fine opertunity to munch down on another of those realy greasy pancake roll things. You know, I think they should put up secret cameras and record the expressions on the punters face when purchasing and chewing on one of these ghastly objects. At least my chin is well and truley oiled up in case I'm dragged along the floor on it at any point over the festivities.
Next on the list was The Fratellis, Mika and James. The Fratellis were as good as I've ever seen them and I've always noticed that these boys seem to have been made specifically for festivals! They sing songs that everybody knows the chorus to and if they don't, it isn't too hard to pick it up. Then Mika who was one of the highlights for me due to the great lighting, wonderful stage presence and great music. I've never shown any interest in the Mika era so far, but I was happy with the results of this set. Anyway then we headed back to the Main Stage for James. Now I'm 32 years old, so James were at the top of there game around the late eighties to early nineties which was when i was leaving school. This performance brought back some grand memories of that time.

Now it was time for Lily Allen whom always seems to be in the press for gobbing off all the time. I heard that she rattled off something at V Stafford Yesterday and upset a few folk, so I wondered if she'll say more today. She harped on about some bird from Gracia mag and a few lines about being barred from the US so I guess some people will complain about her. I will never understand why people take these comments seriously, after all Lily Allen should only be listened to when she is singing. Anyway, I was there to take her picture and I did, so enough said. You go girl...

I had a break to eat at this point, mainly to unwind after the shocking antics of Ms Allen but more to ensure I was all set for the main reason to stick around today through the rain, mud and young whipper snapper musicians: Kasabian. I quickly nipped out to the grounds of the festival and purchased a rather inedible hot dog. It wasn't hot but I'm sure that dog does come into the making process of this festival culinary delight. Hot Fido one must speculate... I feel kind of warm inside knowing that this special snack in my hands is probably the last bit of shit food I'll be buying this weekend.

So, we walk to the Main Stage for the best Brit band in my own opinion. I think Kasabian are awesome but although I say this I have never bought a ticket to a gig, which is strange. But I have photographed them a bunch of times. They came on and once again blew me away. We were out after the first three songs and rushed down to the C4 Stage for The Manic Street Preachers but I rushed back again to catch the rest of the set and it sounded amazing as usual.

So as The Killers have requested no photo's and The Basement Jacks are dj's, it would appear that this years festival is now at an end. I must say that I enjoyed yesterday more than today, even though Kasabian were here. Yesterday just seemed a better environment all round. Maybe I should hold the weather responsible for this.

Just before I do go and get a beer and relax for an hour or so, I must just remind you all that I have already posted some of my shots in The Gallery section of my site, and this can be accessed by going to my home page and selecting 'Photo Galleries' from the menu. I haven't put them all up but I have randomly selected a bundle of 'em for the benefit of you lot. So hopefully I'll be back next year for my third V, so until then, ta ta all.

V Festival, Chelmsford - Day 1

Well I made it here and with plenty of time to spare. My original plan was to arrive on the Friday and be up bright and early for some atmospheric typecast festival shots that you always see. However as per usual my plans were scuppered when everyone decided to break down, or catch fire on my route so I decided to just go home and leave in good time in the morning. So, here I am…
After positioning the really annoying tent and eating my first instalment of festival slop, this time a burger flavoured slop variety, I made my way to the press office to set up my computer and get my shit together.
First on the list were for me was my first instalment The Foo Fighters performing under the name 606. Actually it seems odd that an entire V Festival including all the other photographers, production teams and a massive crowd knew that 606 was in fact The Foo Fighters except me! It turns out that The Sun posted an article in the paper telling everyone this piece of information. I only got on the bus as I didn’t want to sit around anymore, so if I felt any lazier I may well have missed this. It’s good to see the bands milling around backstage at these festivals and when we arrived for the 606 set the Foo’s were doing just this. I saw Dave Grohl chatting with and posing for a couple of my fellow photographers.
Next was supposed to be The Proclaimers but we just missed the slot so I nipped into the press box to send the Foo’s pics into Film. It didn't really come as any great surprise but it was about here that I found the Internet connection here to be pitiful. Still the shots did eventually go so I shouldn't complain too much.

Then it was time for Juliette And The Licks and what a feisty bunch they as well as visually spectacular so I enjoyed this very much. After Juliette we headed for the Main Virgin Mobile Stage for The Editors who were as great as every other time I have shot them.

Next on the list was The Fray on the Channel 4 Stage which for me was a bit of a let down. I couldn't hear Isaac Slade's vocals so I didn't enjoy it. Paulo Nuttini next whom I thought was great! A really colourful set, and he sounded great too.

Another break period here to catch up with the editing and sending in of the festival so far before Kanye West, Babyshambles and Pink. I took this opportunity to grab a nice cup of £2.00 coffee, which tasted like it had been drained from last years leftover urinal water, and edit some more pictures. I've done alright this year in respect of keeping my work up to scratch. I does seem that I am non stop working here but then this is the way it works at a festival.

Anyway, onward I'm dragged to the bus to get to Kanye and Babyshambles and pink and now I can feel that the day is approaching the end. Only the best is yet to come and so far its been a great day.

So next was Kanye West, whom fails really to rock my boat but was very good and the crowd seemed to enjoy it and they paid so I guess that matters more than me, and following that a very dark lit Dizzi Rascal set in the JJB tent, then back to CH4 for Babyshambles where Pete Doherty was showing all the signage of being absolutely ruined but still managed to belt out some great music. I enjoyed both Kanye and Babyshambles although I did enjoy Babyshambles just a tad more so. I shot a Babyshambles gig a year or so ago and to this day still regard that as one of my top ten gigs I've been at.
We then were whisked back to the main stage where Pink was already performing. I managed to get two songs from her, which was more than enough time to get what I wanted. Pink is a very beautiful woman, and has a great voice. She did come across to be a bit posy at times, but I suppose I would too if I were great looking, mega rich and famous…
After Pink I headed back to the press office for a smoke and a Chinese flavoured slop dish, and to continue editing the days events and sending them in.
Then it was time for another mad dash with Snow Patrol who were fantastic, then to Jarvis Cocker who was in virtual darkness, and then the Happy Mondays who kindly stepped in for a broken Amy Winehouse. The Happy Mondays were really good with an energetic Bez keeping the crowds amused and Jarvis sprung around the stage pulling some great poses during his set in the JJB tent which made good photography it was just a shame that it was fairly dimly lit. I’ve shot Snow Patrol before a couple of few times in the past, but today was the first time I’ve ever been fairly happy with the results. The lighting was fabulous, the music was amazing and still the weather kept it warm and nearly summer like.
After The Happy Mondays we had another few minutes to send before the final dash to shoot the headliners. First on the bill was the return of The Amazing Foo Fighters. This time on the Main Stage and much much louder than the earlier set. The Foo Fighters were great at both parts of the day. Next it was to The Kooks for one song, and then straight to the JJB to get Primal Scream for the final act on my list tonight. The Kooks were OK, I just feel a little bored of the album tracks they cover in the same order at every show I’ve shot. I like the Kooks, a lot in fact, but I do like to see variety in a performance. Primal scream were dark, but musically good. Although hearing it from the pit does tend to whack the old eardrums. And most of the third track seemed to consist of Bobby Gillespie screaming incoherently into the mic for a ten minute burst.
All in all I have really enjoyed today’s listing. I have taken some good shots for the press, I have uploaded most of them during the day and I don’t really have too much to do in the morning so I can go and get a big plate of food outside the confines of the festival fencing. Get me away from those damn evil burger vans and Chinese-food sellers. How can the Chinese government allow people to sell something in the name of a country when it really is unlikely that you will find a self respecting Chinese person wandering around biting the end off a roll of bean sprouts wrapped in pastry and left to soak in oil for three months. I took a bite of this thing and felt a waterfall of luke warm fat running down my chin, and the bean sprout-a-like things inside were very very stringy! Dear lord, please spare me the need to buy dodgy pancake rolls again, pleeeeeease?

V is a coming, and I am ready for it!!!

Yes folks, I have received the confirmation to the big gig: V Festival, Chelmsford. The paperwork came through the door the other day, which was a great part to a very hot week.

I'll get the tent out in the next few days and blow the dust off it. I'll also have to do some homework as to the whereabouts of local wireless networks.

I'll be building my own V diary during the event and this will be posted with some pictures upon my return, post big jug of lager and kip! Last year I came away with some great work which made the slog worth every minute. All I really remember of last year is constant rushing about with cameras, beer and many smokes to ease the frustration. The photo-crowd at the festivals is usually nice so this will be good.

Also, it is the end of the Curry's compo, and I only managed to find the time to upload 6 or 7 images to this get-up as I have been slightly overwhelmed at work recently. Anyway, here's my most recent addition to this comp, so I hope you like it.

I took this shot at GAY a few weeks ago. As a music photographer, I seem to spend a lot of time waiting around for something to happen. During this time I take the occasional art picture to keep the cobwebs from forming. I like this picture.

Finally, today is my birthday! I am a massive thirty-two years old, and so far am fairly happy with my story so far. Now I'm off for a couple of stella's to wash away the pain of age!! See you all after V!