News / Blog - Gigs & Bands News

With the 2025 Vale Earth Fair just around the corner I thought I should make one last effort to finish and update the Chaos 20-25 Festival photo gallery.

I'm sure I will have another mega edit awaiting me after the VEF but that will have to wait until my VEF Real Ale induced headache has eased!

For now you can view photos of the legendary (and last) Chaos Festival by clicking this link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE CHAOS 20-25 FESTIVAL PHOTO GALLERIES

It's the season when the School of Popular Music Guernsey and the School of Popular Music Jersey organise their Summer Schools.

The students are promised a full and varied week. The aim is to work towards a final night of performances where the newly created bands can showcase the work that they have done during the week.

I've just photographed the Jersey SoPM Summer Gig and I've added a gallery of photos of the performances:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2025 JERSEY SUMMER SCHOOL GIG PHOTOS

I've just discovered one of the most enjoyable Music Festivals and its future is uncertain!

This is a great shame as the landlords of the L'Auberge Du Nord on Jersey are just leaving the tenancy!

But let's not worry about that right now. I'm still so excited that I was able to get along to Bergefest 3 as the all-day event hosted an amazing line-up of acts. Three were from the UK and Karma Sheen, Waco and Dungeön were great new finds for me.

I wasn't totally distracted by the music and I did photograph all the bands.... lucky me as I can now look at my photos to remember this great festival....

If you are interested too, click the link below to view all the Galleries:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF BERGEFEST 3

July seems to bring endless highlights and events to photograph.

Inevitably as I can't be in front of the screen editing whilst I'm out doing the fun part of my job.... actually taking photos (and having a good time) there is a backlog of updates to the website.

But I promise I haven't been sleeping (although god knows I could do with a few good nights worth).

However I'm really enjoying the Chaos Music & Bike Festival edit as it was such good fun this year.

I've started on day two, Saturday, and you will find all the latest photos by clicking this link:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST CHAOS FESTIVAL PHOTOS

With the legendary Greenman Chaos Band & Bike Festival coming to an end in 2025 there was an air of sadness around the Pleinmont cliff-top festival site.

But that didn't last too long as we all realised that we had a duty to send it off in biker style.... loud, lively, burnouts, bands, beer and partying... oh and more beer!

It's fair to say that everyone stepped up to the challenge and many great memories were added to the pile.

As usual my edit is massive and it will take some time to complete but it is always worth a new look at the gallery to see the latest updates....
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST CHAOS FESTIVAL PHOTOS

It's already coming up to a week gone since the 2025 Guernsey Together Festival. Time really fly's by when I'm gardening! Well it has been a great week to get out and catch up with the weeding!

But I've now also caught up with the editing!

This years GTF vintage was just a one-day affair but the festival still managed to include most of what we were expecting. This festival is all about keeping it local and celebrating our local bands.

The line-up kept the chilled crowd entertained and there was a great family atmosphere. Even the sun turned up this time!

And I've just noticed that the dates for 2026 have been announced so it looks like Guernsey Together has more left in the tank. See you there next year?

Click this link to view all my photos:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2025 GUERNSEY TOGETHER FESTIVAL

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS OF GURRIERS
If we needed proof that music needs to be experienced live then we were given it when a select sold-out crowd experienced Gurriers playing in The Pit at St James recently.

I know I'm stating the obvious but we should remember that mankind has been creating music from the start of time. And all through the ages those rhythms and sounds were enjoyed 'live' and together with others.

That is until the recorded forms of music arrived. It is only (relatively) recently that the majority of people only ever experience music listening to these 'packaged performances'... and very often alone!

So to get to my point. The line-up at St James offered three amazing bands to enjoy (in company). Just like it was made for!

Hanging Pieces and Pillars did a great job as support acts but Gurriers topped the night with a performance that left no-one wanting anything... apart from an encore!

Thank you St James for letting us experience live music just as it should be served!

I photographed all three Bands and these links will take you to the Galleries:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS OF PILLARS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS OF HANGING PIECES

Unique has visited his followers after '40 of Your Earth Years'.

For two nights we were entertained by all the classics..... Inchman, Rhinoceros Baby, I got Younger and many more.

I captured a few photos of this rare visit. Click the link if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF UNIQUE'S RECENT VISIT

....and to follow up on my previous question asking 'How can a small Island keep producing so many good bands?' Well maybe I have some of the answer.

For a decade now our youngsters have had access to specialist modern music schools. Gone is the expectation that formal music training is the only route to a fulfilling musical life! It has been proven that a new approach such as the one championed by the School of Popular Music will nurture the talent of the future.

I recently photographed the SoPM Easter Gig, something I've been doing for a decade, and over the years I've witnessed first hand where the next bands will come from!

There's a new Gallery of my photos online if you want an early look at the future stars....
CLICK TO VIEW THE SoPM EASTER GIG PHOTOS

I don't think the subject has ever been investigated but maybe there's something for a University study here!!

The question is.... and this has to be asked with the knowledge that Guernsey is a small place, maybe just like a medium sized town in the UK....

So how does our little Isle keep producing so many brilliant bands across many musical genres?

Is it something in the water? Whisky in my case, ha, ha!

One of the new additions to my 'Bands Hall of Fame' are the Amish Car Thieves. I encourage you to get out to one of their gigs. They're really good!

Oh, If you want a proper written review you must check out Tommy Girard's writings. As you can tell from my words, I have the writing skills of a photographer!!!

Photos of Amish Car Thieves can be seen by clicking the link:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS OF AMISH CAR THIEVES

In just one word I think the 2025 Liberation Day (the 80th) in St Peter Port was 'Spectacular'!

And if you want the longer version here is how my Thesaurus describes 'Spectacular'.....

grand, splendid, magnificent, sensational, impressive, glorious, striking, stunning, staggering, amazing, astonishing, extraordinary, outstanding, remarkable, dramatic, daring, breathtaking, dazzling, eye-catching, colourful, ostentatious, flamboyant

It was all of those!

Thank you to the many who put so much of their time into making 'Lib 80' happen and to all those who joined their fellow Islanders to celebrate such an important day.

I took a few photos and they are now featured on my website if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF THE SPECTACULAR 2025 LIBERATION DAY

I now have proof that Time Travelling really is a thing.

All you need is a Band from the past, a Venue from the past and a few beers..... POW! You're back in the 80's!!!!!

My latest trip back was to see The Risk at the 'Tav. Brilliant stuff!

I took a few pics and they can be viewed on my website if you are interested:
CLICK TO TIME TRAVEL WITH THE RISK

The 2025 Decibel Tower event at St James took the form of a single night packed with live bands. And there was a great new venue to check out too..... The Pit.

There were many highlights on the night together with a couple of surprises!

When I arrived I headed straight down to the basement and the new performance area - the blackened room aptly called 'The Pit'. It was a pleasure to watch a favourite band, Space Soul, head the line-up. Mark Le Gallez, Rosemary and Amish Car Thieves also christened the new stage.

Back up in the main hall Doll Motel, Pavé and headliners Honeyglaze all entertained a good sized crowd. The night finished with one of my surprises... Get Down Services. Two guys, a heavy beat backing track and verbal abuse!

You really had to be there to get it. I loved it!

Here's a link to my photos:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2025 DECIBEL TOWER PHOTOS

I've been back to the Fermain Tavern for what turned out to be a fantastic gig.

It's always great to see and enjoy a new band and on this night two Bands on the line-up were new to me.

The opening act was Birte Paulsen and this was great start. Birte is a newcomer to the Island but clearly not a newcomer to performing as her set was confident and polished and showcased her talent as a songwriter.

I have a feeling we will be seeing Birte again very soon.

Next up on the bill was a new line-up called Rosemary. Familiar faces made an appearance but in this form they performed a short set which suggested really good things to come. Keep an eye open for their next gig.

And the headliners finished the night with a high energy performance worthy of the billing. Pillars have quickly earnt a place on my list of the top Bands currently on the Guernsey scene.

So another great night at the Tavern. Bring on the next one!

My photos can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF PILLARS

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF ROSEMARY

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS OF BIRTE PAULSEN

I've managed to find some time over the holiday period to update and add new Galleries to the NEW WEBSITE.

It's a near impossible job for me to bring all my photos over to the new website as there are many hundreds of Galleries and hundreds of thousands of photos.

But I'm keen to give the new website a fair representation of my photographic work over the decades so when I find a few spare hours I'll continue with this chore!

So, at the moment, if you are looking for photos of a particular event or personalities you might have to use the search option on BOTH sites! But remember that ALL NEW photos from 2023 onwards are only added to the new site. Good luck and happy hunting!

Here are links to each of the websites. Happy hunting.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW WEBSITE
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE OLD WEBSITE

We've reached the time of year when I like to tidy up my work and I've just realised that I never completed the edit of my photos of the 2024 The Vale Earth Fair.

Maybe I'll blame the fact that as the decades pass my recovery rate after a festival seems to take longer and longer!

So, once I noticed my error I had to fix it.... and it's now done!

I managed to cover quite a lot of the VEF this year and there's a big Gallery featuring hundreds of photos of the highlights on my website.

If you're interested just click the link below:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2024 VALE EARTH FAIR PHOTOS

The Guernsey School of Popular Music continued its support and encouragement of its students with the 2024 'Music for Everyone' event at Beau Sejour.

Created to offer all ages of student a showcase to share their new talents on a big stage it is obvious how much joy and satisfaction the performers feel. You can see how confidence builds as students are supported by the versatile tutors band.

I've said it before but it's worth saying again. I think these events are some of my favourites of the year.

I hope you enjoy my photos and maybe they will illustrate some of the atmosphere in the theatre at Beau Sejour.....
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2024 MUSIC FOR EVERYONE PHOTOS

Another vintage year......

With each year the Guernsey School of Popular Music (SoPM) has raised the bar with its Corporate Battle of the Bands event at Beau Sejour.

The night sits in the middle of a 'three-header' between the Under 18's Battle of the Bands and the 'Music for Everyone' showcase.

The team from SoPM don't hold back or take the easy route and consistently top their previous efforts. I've added Galleries featuring all the highlights of the 2024 Corporate BotB's to my website.

To view photos of all the SoPM events click the link below:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OF THE SoPM EVENTS

The standard of performances just gets better and better with each year's Guernsey School of Popular Music 'Battle of the Under 18's Bands'.

The SoPM Tutors have perfected the process of organizing their biggest weekend of the year.

Over the years the weekend has grown to feature three separate events.

First up it's the 'Battle of the Under 18's Bands' which features five talented bands.

The winners in 2024 were The Sexy Mosquitos. Photos of the winners and all the other bands, The Fourth, Polystyrene Pigeons, Cheezy Beanz and Aviation are featured in these Galleries....
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2024 BATTLE OF THE U18's BANDS
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Those of you who were also born in the mid-fifties like me..... heck, that makes me feel really old when I say it like that!

But back to the point. If you are from around that era you will probably have great memories of the live music scene that centred around the Fermain Tavern.

You will also probably agree that everything has changed so much over the recent decades... including the music scene.

Whilst we can never go back... and probably wouldn't like it if we did... I was encouraged to hear that there are a few plans in place to get The Fermain Tavern back up and active.

I heard this whilst enjoying a four band line-up at the 'Tav on Saturday. Fingers crossed that they can make it work.

Whilst I was there I photographed Kiya Ashton, Pillars, Coastal Fire Department and Hollow Youth. It was just like the good ol' days, eh!

Click the link to visit my new website and use the 'Search' option to find photos of the bands:
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR THE NEW BAND PHOTOS