News / Blog - Gigs & Bands News

On Saturday night family, friends, fellow musicians and live music followers through the years supported an amazing evening of music held at L'Eree Aerodrome in tribute and fond memory of Guernsey's popular drummer Colin Hewlett.

The gig was an immediate sell-out which was no suprise as Colin was dearly loved by so many. He had been a part of the local music scene for decades and had played in many local bands. He was the 'go-to' drummer when Guernsey hosted big stars and he even backed Elton John!

His musical friends were out in force to put on a fitting tribute to Colin and I was there to try and record the atmosphere.

All money raised during the night was given to Male Uprising Guernsey (MUG) and I'm also donating any picture sales to MUG.

The evening took us all back quite a few years and some of the audience must have been feeling those 'years' when rising from their bed on Sunday! None of us have the same recovery rate as time rolls on!

There were so many fantastic performances during the evening with a couple being my most memorable.

Pete Frampton once again showed what an amazing performer he (still) is... great singer, wonderful vocalist and front man.

The other thrill and special treat was to see Alan Palzeaird on stage for a very rare (but all too brief) performance. This man truly makes his guitar weep... and truth be told he has that effect on me too!

It is a wonder that the finest guitarists like Alan are able to tease such emotion out of their instrument whilst 'just' playing the same notes as all others. I do hope Alan makes more appearances again... please don't keep us waiting too long!

I've added my Gallery of pics, there is a link below, and as I mentioned before I am donating any sales I make to MUG in memory of Colin Hewlett.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE GIG FOR COLIN

Those who know me will be aware that I love live music and that I combine this passion with my profession in the form of my music photography.

But those who really know me will know that I also enjoy mixing a few pints of Real Ale into that mix. This is an entirely natural and obvious pairing to me!

So I was one of many visitors to this years Vale Earth Fair who were aware that something was missing. It just wasn't quite the same.

During the past year the Vale Earth Fair Collective... and indeed all of us, lost one of Guernsey's special ones. Errol Groves passing left a massive hole in the heart of the VEF music festival. It also left me without my favourite landlord, even if he was that for just one day a year.

But we can all be sure that the quiet, caring, thoughtful, likeable and memorable guy who was friend to so many will live on at the VEF as his real ale bar has been renamed as 'Errol's Bar'.... which of course it always was.

I'm pleased to say that Errol's Bar continued his fine work by serving many a satisfying pint. I, as did many others, drank an extra pint just for the great man.

My edit of the many pics I took of the VEF 2019 (fueled by many pints) will take a while to edit as I actually still have to finish the Chaos Festival edit. That too was fueled by music and real ale!

For now I've added a small picture gallery featuring my Press edit that had to be submitted overnight for publication.
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2019 VEF PRESS EDIT

On Saturday night I took the steep Stairway to Vale Castle to see a tribute to one of my favorite bands... actually is was a steep pathway but that didn't quite work with my analogy!

The previous comment should be enough of a clue to any rock music lover of my era as to who the tribute was for.

One Louder promoted a special event within the historic walls of Guernsey's Vale Castle featuring Europe's finest Led Zeppelin tribute band.

Letz Zeppelin powered through two sets of the originals finest songs and had the crowd (which were mostly of a 'certain age' - like me!) rocking like the years had dropped away!

The event could have done with a few more people... the band certainly justified gig goers making more of an effort. But for those who had made their way to the castle it was a memorable gig.

This Gallery of pictures should give you a flavour of the night:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF LETZ ZEPPELIN

Once again the SoPM Summer Gig at The Fermain Tavern proved to be one of my favorites gigs of the year.

The 2019 version had a fantastic atmosphere and it is great to see the progress students have made since their last performances. Well done to teachers and students alike for organizing such an enjoyable evening.

I was invited to capture the performances and my Gallery of pics is now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE SoPM 2019 SUMMER GIG

A notable anniversary deserves a special effort to celebrate it and that is what the SoPM team made to mark their fifth year supporting the musical population of Guernsey.

Hundreds of children and adults have benefited from the talent and enthusiasm within the young, energetic SoPM team of tutors. I've been lucky to have covered most of the SoPM special events and the latest anniversary concert was organized in the modern Performing Arts Centre.

Once again the talent was amazing as performers did their thing in front of a packed audience.

The SoPM goes from strength to strength each year with a stream of new ideas and events designed to keep their many students exciting and enthused.

My pics of the anniversary concert are now online. Check them out here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE SoPM 5th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

Its been a busy few weeks doing almost everything apart from photography!

Life has been full of selling property, buying property and dealing with Advocates. I need to get back to work to pay for that one as that's an expensive business!

Also I've packed more boxes of belongings than I'm prepared to admit too.

How is it that many of us feel we need so many possessions to be 'who we are'? Probably most of them are forgotten and unused until we have to pack when moving residence!

To add to the work load I've been project managing the modernization of our new home which will be a completely up-to-date and most importantly easy to keep clean and maintained fully networked bungalow... after it is finished and we can move in. For now we have to 'camp out' in rented holiday accommodation.

Carol and I never really expected to be moving to a modern place after more than forty years living in a nearly two hundred year old Guernsey cottage but now we have started on this new journey we are really excited by it and we are certain the future will be easier for both of us.

All this ties in with my retirement in less than a years time but this will mean anything but putting my feet up as there will be a long list of decoration and projects to complete before life becomes all about putting the feet up, drinking beer and laying in the sun (at least that's my plan - I haven't run it by the boss yet!).

Luckily I was able to find my cameras this weekend (an amazing feat given we have things spread over four buildings and dozens of boxes) so I managed to get out to take some pics. I've photographed Sandracing, Cricket and a loud gig... much like normality really!

The first pics are online and feature a pre-season friendly game of cricket at KGV where Cannaccord Griffins played a visiting side from the UK, Sparsholt. The pics can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF CANNACCORD GRIFFINS v SPARSHOLT

Some like it heavy. In fact there is quite a tradition in Guernsey for the heavier side of music. Metal has always had a following and many bands have formed then split over the years.

I popped along to a night of the dark stuff at The Fermain Tavern which was well named as 'Black March'. I captured a few pics of three of the current bands on the scene... Of Abscess and Amputation, Ironfoot and From Darkness.

Follow the links to view my pics:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF OF ABSCESS AND AMPUTATION
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF IRONFOOT
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF FROM DARKNESS

Now I know that Blog headline is a bit corny... but hey, I'm not a copy writer, I'm a photographer.

But that headline isn't too far wrong.

I photographed a gig at The Fermain Tavern on Saturday. The promoters were Havoc Events. They'd invited a mixed lineup of local talent - both young and not so young (sorry Coastal Fire Dept.)

I missed the first acts but caught the end of the Vice GSY set. Next up were the loud, heavy and grungy Coastal Fire Dept. Has the Tav ever been blasted with such a solid wall of riffs?

Then to contrast it was Kings who closed the night with their polished, modern set. I really like this band. Their sound is distinctive and contemporary. They are another example of the amazing talent that Guernsey seems to nurture.

There must be something about a small community that acts as a catalyst for talent. I recommend that you try and catch a Kings gig. If you like things on the loud and heavy side then Coastal Fire Dept. would be the way to go!

My pics of the gig can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF KINGS
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF COASTAL FIRE DEPT.
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF VICE GSY

Will I be accused of being over excited if I state that the 2019 Resolution IT Guernsey Rally was pretty spectacular?

Well, so what if I am! I spent two days following the event including seeing some of the massive amount of organization and the number of people behind the scenes who have to come together to make this event happen... and I was more than impressed.

The Stages were varied and challenged competitors versatility on each day. A large number of spectators took full advantage of the perfect springtime weather... but it is still midwinter!

Big respect to the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club, some great work sorting that out! Or maybe it was all the helpers who came over from Jersey who brought their own sunshine along with them? I don't care if they did. It was the icing on the cake of a great Rally event. Bring it on again next year please.

I'm now working on the edit... and it's a big one! Check out the link below to keep up to date with the latest uploads.

As well as photographing the Rally I also covered 21 BOUTS of boxing at Beau Sejour and just to completely wear me out, there was also a gig to photograph on Friday night after the evening Stages of the Rally.

My whole body is aching... but it's a good kind of ache. The sort you get after having a good work-out. The only problem is my recovery rate at 64 years old isn't what it used to be :-(
CLICK TO VIEW THE RESOLUTION IT 2019 RALLY PICS

Harry Dean Junior and the New Breed played their first gig to a packed theater at Beau Sejour. We were all there to pay tribute to one of our talented and loved 'musical brothers', Ged Kelly who recently died too young.

It was a true tribute to Ged and his family to see so many local musicians play a role during the evening, many others had traveled to Guernsey just to be a part of the evening.

The headliners on the night were Harry Dean Junior and the New Breed. This new band fronted by Chris Dean featured several members who would be familiar to fans of King Rat & the Soul Cats.

That link kind of gives you a clue about what you'll hear from Harry Dean Junior and the New Breed... together with a new set list. A greater recommendation couldn't be made. Make sure to get along to one of their gigs.
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE GED KELLY TRIBUTE CONCERT

I've just finished uploading pics of two of my favorite ways to get into the festive spirit.

There were a couple of (now traditional) back-to-back School of Popular Music events held recently and there was nowhere to hide from the classic Christmas songs!!

Thankfully lots of other music and song also featured from well over a hundred performers spread over the two nights.

First up was the SoPM Christmas Concert held at the Church on the Rock followed by the SoPM Christmas Gig at The Doghouse a day later.

The Concert showcased the less experienced and younger students with the experienced students being treated to a professional venue with the added benefits of a pro sound desk and lighting at The Doghouse.

I've added two full galleries featuring all the performances:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE SoPM CHRISTMAS EVENTS

The annual tidy-up is still underway and I've found another folder of pics that seem to have missed the edit... but that's sorted now!

These pics are from way back in the summer when a David Bowie tribute act visited Guernsey and played a couple of outdoor concerts within the historic walls of Castle Cornet.

I was sent along by the Guernsey Press to take a few pics and enjoyed re-living my youth to a stream of Bowie hits. I was a great fan of the Starman and hearing so many of his hits during a two hour set reminded me of the time when I wore flares, platform boots and had hair down to the shoulders. Thankfully not too many pics exist of that very questionable period of fashion!

The Bowie Experience did a good job of 'time-travelling' us back to the days of cassettes and no mobile phones. Those were the days :-)

This is a link to my pics:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE BOWIE EXPERIENCE

There was no map needed by me to find my way to The Captains Hotel. In fact once I'd got near I only had to listen out for the live music.

I'd journeyed 'down south' to listen to Jim Delbridge launch his new album 'The Navigator'. When I entered the very packed bar it was clear that Jim's devoted fans had come out in bus loads!

There was a fantastic atmosphere with people just wanting to absorb the new tracks... just as well as it was near impossible to find a way to the bar for a beer!

Once again Jim has produced a mature, well crafted and memorable collection of songs. As always much of Jim's work could stand alone as poetry as he is a great wordsmith.

Seeing the size of the crowd that filled the bar I'm not alone in my enjoyment of his work.

I (somehow) managed to capture a few pics of the evenings performance. Take a look at them here:
CLICK TO VIEW A FEW PICS OF THE NAVIGATOR LAUNCH

If you're not a Guern you probably won't understand what I'm talking about but just believe me this does make sense to us!

My edit of last nights gig at St James is now complete and online. The two new galleries feature pics of The Cor Damme Lars (get it?) and The Recks.

Follow these links to view my pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST PICS OF THE COR DAMME LARS
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST PICS OF THE RECKS

The Baghdaddies headlined a mid-week gig at St James in Guernsey where they went down a storm with the crowd who managed to raise their spirits despite it being a Wednesday night and miserable weather outside.

This is a great party band... catch 'em if you can!

I popped along to take some pics for the Guernsey Press and was pleased to see my favorite lighting tech behind the desk... Lloyd Helyer.

Now before I upset all the other lighting techs around and jeopardize any of their gigs I photograph in the future (I love all of your work too... I really do!) it is just something in the way Lloyd lights a stage that makes the job of photographing a performance so much easier.

I've noticed this very often. Lloyd's lighting makes my processing of the pics so much quicker and easier... he saves me time, what's not to like!

I should clarify this a bit more... and I accept that I'm seeing this just from a photographers point of view.

From an audience's viewpoint I'm sure they would never have a 'preference' for any good lighting tech.

But back to the photographers viewpoint. I don't know if there are 'technical' terms for this but I notice that Lloyd tends to 'layer' the lighting. He uses colour really well and generally doesn't 'flood' a stage in a single primary colour. There's often an element of subtle white light too. Another factor is that I find I can predict his timing better than some other lighting techs.

All these elements combine together to assist my work... in colour.

But I have to admit that I do have a love for the black& white print. There is a strength and dynamic in that traditional format. Many of my favourite pics are indeed B&W and I will always continue to produce (lots of) B&W work.

However today's lighting and cameras offer the chance to capture colour better than ever before. So when given a beautifully lit and colourful stage it is maybe a sin not to use it to its best effect!

Hence, if you look at my gallery of The Baghdaddies pics you will see they are nearly all in colour. Lloyds lighting means that I don't have to turn to B&W just to 'save' a pic.

Also on the bill were The Cor Damme Lars and The Recks. Their pics will follow shortly.

I hope you enjoy looking at my Baghdaddies pics. Drop me an email Email me if you have any comments... agreeing or disagreeing with my thoughts.
CLICK TO VIEW MY PICS OF THE BAGHDADDIES

The idea behind the SOUND at St James Festival was to showcase the best of the Guernsey Bands and Musicians within the warm, dry main hall and adjoining rooms of the historic venue.

For this first time the event was organized it immediately proved that an indoor festival is the only way to go in late October as the festival goers knew nothing of the torrential rain outside!

There were two full days of live local music spread over three stages with barely time to take a breath between acts. Those who attended enjoyed what must be the best value achievable for just ten pounds a day!

My edit of pics will take a few days but a gallery has already been added featuring some of the acts who played on Saturday.

Keep a lookout on this Blog for future updates.

Click on this link to view the first pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FIRST PICS OF SOUND AT ST JAMES

Every few years the end of summer weather conspires to try and spoil our fun.

Sadly 2018 was one of the years that the clouds and rain featured more than the sun during the twelve hour long Vale Earth Fair in the historic Vale Castle in Guernsey.

However, after forty-two years of practice, nothing can dampen the spirits of the small band of VEF organizers and the show goes on regardless. It's a great shame that many potential festival goers are so easily put off attending and all the work put in is wasted on them. I'll call them 'light-weights'!

But... there is always a 'hard-core' who are the real deal and they seem to 'raise their game' in the face of discomfort and the 2018 vintage of the VEF will hold many great memories for those who joined the other stoic music lovers in Vale Castle.

I too endured the drizzle, struggling to keep all my camera lenses free from mist and water... this is an added challenge when you wear specs! As I edited the pics in this gallery I was reminded just how special the VEF is. I hope you enjoy my work.

It will take (more than) a few days to get all the VEF pics online as I'm just off to Jersey to photograph the WEEKENDER Festival for more of the same... that is great live music - NOT rain!!

Keep a check on the VEF galleries for the extra updates:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST VALE EARTH FAIR PICS

The School of Popular Music's Summer Party at The Fermain Tavern brings a week of intensive music tuition and practice to a fitting climax as the students get to show off their new skills to friends and family.

They are given the chance to perform on the famous Fermain Tavern stage... just like Elton John did, and they get to enjoy having professional technicians working the sound desk and lighting rig... and I pop along to capture their performances and the atmosphere.

The SoPM Summer Party gig has become one of my favorites of the year... and I photograph a LOT of bands!

The enthusiasm shown by the students and tutors is infectious. Everyone involved puts every effort into creating memorable performances.

It is fantastic that no judgments are made on any performers - they are just enjoyed for the simple pleasure that live music brings to the world.

Whilst for some students this adventure into playing an instrument and singing will be a short experience before they move on to explore other interests. However I'm certain that for many the foundation is put in place for a lifetime's involvement in music. What a great start in life!

This gallery displays pics of the nine bands that were formed by students for the 2018 SoPM Summer Party. There is also a Gallery featuring Last of the Light Brigade who headlined the night giving students an idea of what the SoPM tutors can do....
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE SoPM SUMMER PARTY GIG

Maybe you just had to be there?

That's the thing about any form of live performances. Nothing can quite capture what it was actually like to be 'in the room'. No video can put you there. No photograph will replace the experience!

This is how things are with the recent Japanese Punk Invasion at The Fermain Tavern. You really had to be there... to bad if you missed it!

I've seen many great comments by those who managed to get to the gig... people have been enthused by the night and the two visiting bands.

The general opinion is the the Morlleyheads and PUNiK smashed it. I have to agree. The night enters onto my list of legendary Fermain Tavern gigs.

If you occasionally pop along to this website you will know that I rarely make comment or critique on what I photograph... I just take the pics!

However there is someone who does a great job and he is known by almost everyone on the Guernsey music scene. If you want to read a 'proper' report of the Japanese Invasion gig I recommend reading Tom Girard's regular Blog.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW TOM GIRARD'S REGULAR BLOG

So, having already stated that no picture can reproduce the experience of a live performance I still managed to capture a few pics of the bands. If you where one of the audience the pics might help you recall the vibe....
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF PUNiK
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF MORLLYHEADS

The final updates have been added to the massive 2018 Greenman Chaos Festival gallery.

Amongst the new pics are full coverage of the Sound Guernsey Battle of the Bands which was held on the Main Stage giving the young performers an early taste of what it feels like to play whilst backed by great sound and lighting.... surely they can only want to repeat the experience!

Then there are new Galleries featuring the silly games, the burnouts (essential at a bikers festival) and another Gallery featuring the Atmosphere.

So lots more to look at. Follow this link to view the pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COMPLETED 2018 GREENMAN CHAOS FESTIVAL