2011 Live Music Photography
I’m usually pretty rubbish at this, but thought I’d do a little look back post over the live photography I’ve taken this year.
Overall I’ve probably done less live photography this year, than any of the last few years. Part of this is because I’ve been busy doing a lot of portrait and commercial work, and partly because I’ve spent a couple of months on tour teching, when I was busy working on stage, and either didn’t have my camera with me, or didn’t get to take anything other than quick snapshots.
Kai from Army Of Freshmen at Islington O2 Academy on 20th April 2011. (Jon Luton)
The high point of the year, for me, was probably April. I went on tour with my good friends Army Of Freshmen and Lost? I was there to tech and do a bit of tour managing, but there was a good opportunity at the European festival dates to take my camera along.
The tour started in Strasbourg in a massive arena, with NOFX, Dropkick Murphys, Apocalyptica, Beatsteaks and Sick Of It All. This gave me a great chance to shoot a these bands from both in front of the stage and on stage.
After Strasbourg we headed round the UK for a week, before heading back to Europe, for Groezrock, which in my 12+ years experience of going to festivals, was the best festival I’ve ever been too. I can’t wait to go again next year.
Army Of Freshmen were the first band on the main stage, so after packing all the equipment up, we had the whole weekend to explore (or to take photos and hang out with some of my favourite bands).
The Blackout at Groezrock, Friday 22nd April 2011. (Jon Luton)
Thursday doing Full Collaspe at Groezrock, Friday 22nd April 2011. (Jon Luton)
Saves The Day at Groezrock, Saturday 23rd April 2011. (Jon Luton)
Thursday at Groezrock, Saturday 23rd April 2011. (Jon Luton)
The year started off quietly, from a live photography point of view, first show of the year was the Kerrang! tour, headlined by Good Charlotte.
May was probably the busiest live photography month of the year for me, with lots of bands touring. In May I photographed Panic! At The Disco, Francesqa, Rolo Tomassi, We Are The In Crowd, MC Lars, Framing Hanley, My Passion, Mayday Parade, Rocket To The Moon, 3OH!3 and more I can’t remember.
Panic! At The Disco at Norwich UEA (Jon Luton)
Mayday Parade at Norwich Waterfront (Jon Luton)
We Are The In Crowd at Norwich Waterfront (Jon Luton)
Rolo Tomassi at Norwich Arts Centre (Jon Luton)
My favourite band to photograph this year was probably Rise To Remain, after struggling photographing them support Funeral For A Friend in March (the lighting engineer seemed to forget to put any light on the stage at all for their set), I had a more successful time shooting them at Norwich Arts Centre in September.
Rise To Remain at Norwich Arts Centre, 28th September 2011 (Jon Luton)
The year ended with just a few gigs, but important ones, I photographed my favourite band of all time, The Get Up Kids (I forget how many times I’ve photographed them now, but will always love seeing them live), and helped out Army Of Freshmen on a few dates with Zebrahead.
The Get Up Kids at Camden Underworld, 5th October 2011. (Photographer: Jon Luton)
Zebrahead at Islington O2 Academy, 7th December 2011 (Jon Luton)
And lastly, my favourite photo I took this year. It’s not a great picture, but I like it:
Shadows Chasing Ghosts at Norwich Waterfront on 14th September 2011 (Jon Luton)
Next year, hopefully I’ll be doing more music photography again.
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