News / Blog - Gigs & Bands News

It might have taken over two weeks - but if you are patient I do eventually catch up!
I really don't know where the time goes... but it certainly flies by and I continue to bring the Galleries up-to-date.
Several of the Bands who played at the resurrected Vale Earth Fair have been chasing me for the latest pics - so here they are ;-)
This popular Festival was sadly missed in 2010 but returned in 2011 with a strong line-up. I have now added picture Galleries featuring many Bands.
Featured on the Castle stage are: Concrete Diso, Senser, Royal Gala, Inner Terrestrials, Tantale, Hikoikoi, Falenizza Horsepower, Big Sheep and Ukuladies!.
Featured on the new Bangorang stage are: Aurora, Krossbow, Little Rock Gypsies, Bright Lights, Hippie Picnic, The Stowaways, Dealer's Left and Danny G.
I now have nearly twelve months to catch-up before the next VEF, phweew!
Take a look at the Galleries here:
VALE EARTH FAIR 2011

The latest Rock of Ages was Number 11. The format was 'tried and tested' and followed the usual form of offering an evening packed with Bands.
RoA-11 showcased five different Bands including a new one for me - Dakamga. The rest of the line-up were Plan of Attack, Breaking the Silence, Re-Discovering Pluto and From Bedrooms to Backseats.
These gigs really are the best value around if you want to sample a bit of live music... the only way is live as far as I'm concerned!
Click the link to view the latest Galleries...
ROCK OF AGES-11

A trio of my photographer mates played at the Fermain Tavern last Saturday. I should dislike these guys as it's just not fair that they all possess both musical and photographic talents!
But I'm not one to hold a grudge and it would have been 'bad manners' to turn up at the 'Wild Card' gig without my camera. So I took a few pics whilst enjoying a great set of the Blues... I like the Blues.
I have added new pictures to the Wild Card Gallery.
VIEW THE WILD CARD GALLERY

I was a late arrival for the legendary Barry Ashworth of the Dub Pistols DJ set at The Fermain Tavern - work got in the way.
I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to this type of music... I lead a very sheltered life!
But, I must say it was well worth making the effort, I really enjoyed the set.
If I hadn't been driving = no drinking :-( I can definately see myself getting the groove. (Note to self: leave the van at home next time).
The stage lighting supported the music and really added to the atmosphere, it helped us photogs also!
I have added a few new pics to the Galleries. Take a look here:
BARRY ASHWORTH OF THE DUB PISTOLS

A big update has been made to the Greenman MCC Chaos Festival picture Gallery... nearly there!
The latest pics include Bands Jack Rabbit Slim, Top Buzzer, Nemesis, The Gaa Gaa's featuring Brobots, Sugar Slam, Lizzard Channel, She Haunts the Roads, Enraged, Mentallica and Spunge.
Quite a few then! This confirms what a great (and BIG) event the Chaos has become.
As I mentioned in my previous post the weather wasn't too kind but the Festival crowd were still full of energy... the Bands played a big part in this I'm sure - and the Breda (as brewed in Guernsey!)
'Keep it live' is my moto.
VIEW THE LATEST GREENMAN CHAOS PICTURES
UPDATE: Final Band pics added include Big Machine, Bulletproof, Last of the Light Brigade, Brutus Stonefist and Underneath the Sky. JOB DONE until next year!

The extremely wet and windy Greenman MCC Chaos Festival held on the exposed cliffs at Pleinmont, Guernsey is already just memories.
But they are good ones, despite the aweful weather!
There was a great turn-out for all the entertainment and the fact that both main stages were sheltered from the elements to some extent meant the Bands had a more attentive audience than usual.
This Festival is now well established and had a good number of Continental visitors. Big apologise to them - it was along way to come to get wet through to the skin!
But the good spirit and behaviour made for a brilliant time.
I was taking pics, of course, and will feature many of the Bands that appeared during the weekend. First up is the Band from Gibraltar. Breed77 combine heavy metal with flamenco sounds - it works, promise!
BREED77 AT THE GREENMAN CHAOS FESTIVAL 2011

What was actually only two days of Festival and Music has actually taken much more than a week of my life!
Firstly, I was pleased to play a very small part in setting out the Festival site... there goes three days.
Then there were the two Festival days. Hot, long and non-stop... but great fun!
And then the inevitable sorting , processing and uploading of the pictures. There goes more than a week!
I have just added the last Gallery of pictures showing some of the atmosphere, the smaller stages and the Dance tent.
The final Gallery can be viewed here:
A GALLERY DISPLAYING THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE GUERNSEY FESTIVAL

There don't seem to be enough hours in the day at the moment! Having spent a considerable time in the build-up to the Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts helping on-site and in the office of the organisers - then two solid days of picture taking - the task of selecting and optimising all those pics continues.
As usual, it is quite suprising how much of an event I miss/forget when chasing around trying to get the best angle on all the action. Sorting the pics is a bit like seeing things for the first time... it's really strange!
But this is what I enjoy. When I capture a 'moment' that represents a performance and occasion it makes it worthwhile.
So, the latest pictures are now on-line. The Bands include Example, The Petebox, ZeroOneZero, Twist & Pulse, Asylum Seekas, Teaspoonriverneck, Jaded Things, Nemesis and The Stowaways.
There are still more to come! Watch this space.
THE LATEST GUERNSEY FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS PICTURES

I have already praised (lots) the first Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts for their fantastic inaugural show!
I have spent the day re-living the two days whilst editing and optimising some of the pictures I captured.
The first edit was done whilst playing Primal Scream's Screamadelica... and I tell the wife that this is work, shhhh!
So far the Gallery updates include Primal Scream, Ocean Colour Scene, Hayseed Dixie, Frank Turner, The Gaslight Anthem and The Go! Team.
Many more Band pics and Festival pics will follow.
Check-out the Galleries here:
GUERNSEY FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS

Many people doubted that it would ever happen but they lay silent now!
I suppose you can understand why there were sceptics that such a huge event could be bought to Guernsey, especially when it was just two brothers, Jon and Paul Stephen, who were organising it - virtually alone.
In the end they called in a good few 'favours' but I hope that those that helped at the last minute all felt that they played a small part in this ambitious project.
Myself, I was pleased to be a 'goffer' for a few days.
I also photographed the Festival and over the next few days will add picture Galleries of many Bands and the atmosphere.
First up are pictures of Primal Scream performing 'Screamadelica'.
How do you get such a big act for your first ever Festival? Only two guys know!
Big thanks to Jon and Paul. If you didn't attend... you missed a great one.
PRIMAL SCREAM HEADLINE GUERNSEY FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS

Everyone who attended the first Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts will want to thank the twin brothers who were behind the whole thing.
It was a massive commitment and a roller-coaster of emotions in the final build-up. But they produced 'the impossible'.
Be sure to thanks these guys when you see them on the street.
You can view a Gallery of pics here... updates during the next few days.
THE GUERNSEY FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS

A massive amount of organising is begining to take shape down Victoria Avenue on the Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts site.
The venue is perfect for the many attractions and Bands that are lined up to appear.
When I was on site earlier another line of heavy articulated lorries loaded with gear was squeezing though the gates.
This Elevated panoramic view shows the area which will be filled with two more 'main tents' together with bars and festival traders.
Don't leave buying the tickets until the day - there are bound to be queues.
Tickets can be purchased from Yakwax Surfshop, Red Ape Clothing, HMV &
THE GUERNSEY FESTIVAL WEB SITE

Don't leave it until the day.
Buy your tickets to The Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts today and you can start planning ahead for a great weekend.
Give yourself a bit of time to sort out that Festival outfit, plan to meet your mates, decide which Bands are on your short list.
If you start the build-up to this great weekend today you will enjoy the whole thing even more!
Make a visit to the Festival web site to get all the latest updates...
VISIT THE GUERNSEY FESTIVAL WEB SITE

I'm going to nag you every day until the big day when The Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts kicks off.
I have been on-site and the venue at The Rabbit Warren is perfect - large and with natural, gentle slopes.
The line-up is 'top draw' also. Remember, these Bands are coming to you - all for a bargain price - and will perform on full size, premium stages!
Ocean Colour Scene, Primal Scream, Frank Turner, The Gaslight Anthem, Seb Fontaine, Tom Novy... the list really does go on and on.
Whatever your age and musical tastes you cannot fail to have a great time.
BUY THOSE TICKETS NOW or be disappointed when you go into work after it is all over and you find out what you missed!

If you have been watching the TV coverage of Glastonbury you should be 'feeling the Summer vibe'. Well, OK it has rained, a lot, but that is a UK summer!
But this is no problem for the first Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts next weekend. The Main Stage will be arriving 'hot from Glastonbury' and will guarantee your comfort - whatever the weather!
It will be in a massive 'Big Top'... nice.
For the 'first try' at running a Festival the Guernsey Festival is certainly packing a punch. I am watching Primal Scream on stage at Glastonbury as I write this... they will headline the Sunday night.
Many other Bands will appear direct from the Summer circuit of Festivals. This Festival is not short of Big names.
So, as my headline says... the time for talking and thinking about buying your weekend ticket is over. You really MUST be at this Festival. It really doesn't matter what your musical taste is, the atmosphere will be great and the value for a weekends top entertainment cannot be beaten... see you there... no excuses.

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Recent visitors to this Island were Jersey based band 'Hold your Fire'. They played at the 'Mecca of live music' in the Channel Islands, The Fermain Tavern.
The Band have appeared in Guernsey several times over the years including the Greenman Chaos Festival and always draw a crowd of local supporters.
I have added a new Gallery of pictures here:
HOLD YOUR FIRE PLAY AT THE FERMAIN TAVERN

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It was good to see another Jersey Band take to the stage at the Fermain Tavern last weekend. In fact three Bands played during the evening. Once again this was great gig.
Unfortunately, I missed one of my favourite Bands, Last of the Light Brigade. However I did see The Cryptics and Thee Jenerators. Top stuff!
A Gallery featuring The Cryptics has now been added.
THE CRYPTICS PLAY AT THE FERMAIN TAVERN

I don't know where the days go! Rock of Ages-10 was 'ages ago' and I have just got around to preparing and uploading the Galleries. I blame Mark Guillou for putting on so many Bands in one evening. It takes an age to sort and process so many pics!
Any-how, they are now on-line.
Rock of Ages-10 featured the following six Bands, Last of the Light Brigade, Breaking the Silence, Dealer's Left, Distant Shores, MX2 and Inertia.
Take a look at the Galleries here:
ROCK OF AGES-10

First up will be the Greenman Chaos Festival.
This is always a great mix of Burnouts, Bikes & Bands. This is also a Festival 'on the up' as we are promised an even bigger Event than last years!
Put the date in your diary (July 15th - 17th). Three days of entertainment and great value. Not to be missed - see you there.
If you need something to get you in the mood, I have updated the Galleries with some more pictures from 2010.
GREENMAN CHAOS 2010

I've been playing 'catch-up' today! It was pointed out to me that I had completely missed updating the Galleries with pics of the Imperials Scooter Club night out at the Fermain Tavern, oooops!
This gig had been arranged to entertain all those Scooter owners (local and visitors) that had taken part in the Clubs Rally.
It was a lively night of partying to Thee Jenerators and The Devotees.
I have corrected the oversight! View pics here...
THEE JENERATORS PLAY AT THE IMPERIALS SCOOTER CLUB PARTY