News / Blog - Gigs & Bands News

Jamaican born Reggae artist Tall Rich played at a Vale Earth Fair gig last weekend.

Tall Rich became another notable artist to play on the legendary Fermain Tavern stage which has hosted most styles of music.

The Singer/Songwriter had been billed as 'pure, original and spiritual with a natural mystic'... what would a Guernsey crowd make of that?

He was backed by one of Guernsey's favorites - RentOClean who became 'RentOBand' for the night. They had added keyboards, vocals and bongos to fill out their sound. One got the feeling that the initial 'vibe' on stage wasn't quite as chilled and laid back as you would expect at a Reggae gig. But once their early tension relaxed RentOClean stepped up to the plate and did a great job playing a full set of newly learnt songs. Well done guys and gal :-)

The feedback after the gig was mixed... many loved the chance to see an authentic Reggae star and enjoyed the Jamaican rhythm... others were left unimpressed. Maybe (for them) Guernsey lacks the palm trees and ganja to make Reggae feel at home?

My pics are now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF TALL RICH PLAYING AT THE FERMAIN TAVERN

It's tradition and these two events are now established in the 'warm-up' to Christmas.....

Perhaps the Guernsey School of Popular Music should be re-named as 'Guernsey's Popular School of Popular Music' as each year sees it increase in size as new students join those who were there at the start.

This years Christmas Concert (the first of a two-night double-header) was held again at the Church on the Rock which is now barely big enough to hold all the parents and friends who want to see and hear the progress of the students.

The SoPM Concerts specifically showcase the schools newest students whilst the SoPM Gig Nights give the more experienced a chance to play a real venue complete with professional sound and lighting.... and photographer ;-)

This link will take you to the Christmas Concert:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2017 SoPM CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The following evening it was the turn of the old school ;-)

This gig has now become one of my favorite gigs of the year.

Guernsey's School of Popular Music organize a couple of 'show-case' gigs each year where they offer their more experienced students the opportunity to play at a professional venue with the benefit of full stage sound and lighting.

I've photographed most of the SoPM events and have had the pleasure of seeing young solo artists and bands develop their talents and confidence when playing live.

Every year a new star is born... the local music scene of the future was on show at The Doghouse for the 2017 SoPM Christmas Gig.

Follow this link to view the Christmas Gig pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 SoPM CHRISTMAS GIG

It's official. The word is out.

After 'track not found' played last Friday night at The Fermain Tavern with The Recks, Flexagon and Dolmens the buzz is that this young band is one of the most exciting new bands on the Guernsey music scene.

I have to agree :-)

track not found pen most of the songs in their set which features an edgy punk sound. I can remember the first time I saw the band play back in the summer. Even then I thought they showed promise but the speedy development of their own sound together with a growing confidence and individuality in their stage presence and style has been surprising.

And I think this band has a lot to come yet. They are really contemporary and will capture a growing fan base the more they play.

It was notable among the crowd at The Fermain Tavern that many people hadn't seen the band before and the general comments where all positive and suprised.

Indeed the whole of the night showcased the Guernsey/Sark music scene really well. Also on the bill were Dolmens... another fairly new (but maybe not quite so young!) band fronted by Stace Blondel who had his usual antics of climbing and hanging off anything near the stage restricted by the guitar hanging off his shoulder.

I must say that this bands performance was most enjoyable and (maybe) benefited from Stacey being stuck to the spot as his vocals showed more tone and complexity. Another great addition the the local music scene.

Flexagon filled the space between bands with weird and quirky sounds and samples. A great effort Sir.

Headliners were The Recks. They produced what we have come to expect together with new tracks. The crowd loved them and they certainly haven't lost the magic. In fact I think their set had more sparkle, rhythm and 'bounce' then recent gigs.... not very well explained I know. I'll leave the technical review stuff to Tom Girard!

I only know what I know and like... and this lineup at the 'tav ticked most of my boxes.

I've added a few pics of the gig here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF TRACK NOT FOUND

CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF DOLMENS

CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE RECKS

We can't avoid it. Christmas is on the way and present ideas are in short supply!

So why not think about buying a CUSTOM DESIGNED MONTAGE for a family member or friend.

Or, if you don't know what to add to your own Christmas list why not request a MONTAGE of your own special memory?

These can still be supplied for Christmas... just don't leave it too long!

Details of how to order your INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNED MONTAGE can be found here:
CLICK TO VIEW HOW TO ORDER A MONTAGE

If you have any questions or if you prefer to have a chat about a design don't hesitate to contact me here:
E-MAIL ANDREW LE POIDEVIN
Or phone my Mobile: 07781 144525

A cause for celebration.....

Well I know I can’t expect you to get quite so excited as I am today as this celebration is personal to me and this website.

But you might like to enjoy the moment too as the fact you are here reading this Blog means that you are actually part of this occasion… without even knowing it!

The special event is the achievement of another significant number of views of THIS WEBSITE.... but just missing 5,000,000 views in the last twelve months, maybe next time, eh!

I know I sound like a ‘cracked record’ if you read through some of my previous ‘Landmark’ Blogs but my enjoyment of the interest so many people take in my photographic work never fails to surprise and humble me.

The continued and increasing visits to my picture galleries encourages me to continue this work and as time goes by the widening selection of events and occasions that I photograph grows the awareness among Islanders of just how many Sports, Gigs, Events and Places we have available to all Guernsey residents to have fun at and take interest in. There is never a weekend without something to attend.

You’ll never find me moaning about having nothing to do on our beautiful, but small, Channel Island. If you are ever tempted to make such a comment I’d encourage you to look through a few of my picture galleries… you’ll soon see what you have been missing!

Now I’ve allowed myself to get side-tracked, again. What this Blog should be stating is that the viewings of this website have just passed another very significant number.

TWENTY MILLION VIEWS…. That’s 20,000,000 if you like your numbers with noughts on the end. I’m not fussed. I’ll take it either way!

So thank you for your continued interest in my work. This really is a LANDMARK number 😊

I’m also proud of the fact that these views are all on my own self-run website. The viewings and interest are all generated without the benefit and help available when photographers enroll into one of the big, but anonymous, picture gallery sites.

I’d like to take this chance to recommend the website provider and admin that I use to run this site. They are called Photium and I wholeheartedly endorse them to you. This provider has hosted my website for many years with VERY little downtime or other problems. Their tech support if needed is usually - literally - just minutes in responding. They also offer a good choice of packages and even a Trial to see if the options suit your needs.

If you have been considering starting a website of your own it’s well worth having a look at: CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PHOTIUM WEBSITE

Please continue making occasional visits to view the latest updates to my Galleries… maybe even buy an occasional print or two! You can then be part of the next MILLION MILESTONE.

I hope to see you out and about at one of Guernsey’s many varied events sometime soon. Remember... NEVER SAY THAT NOTHING GOES ON IN GUERNSEY, you just haven’t opened your eyes and made the effort to find out!

You can view a few of my previous MILESTONE BLOGS here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW SOME OF MY PREVIOUS MILESTONE BLOGS

What a fantastic November day in Guernsey.

The perfect illustration was when I walked down onto Chouet beach to photograph the Banger racing and I passed a father making sand castles with his son... the day was just too good to waste!

It's been a busy weekend of 'togging for me including GFC football (a great 5-2 win lads) at Footes Lane, Ten bouts of dinner boxing at St Pierre Park Hotel. A gig - for a change!

The first round of the Guernsey Velo Club's Winter MTB XC in a seasonal Talbot Valley.... and then on to the Autocross racing at Chouet. Love it!

All the pics will follow, but for now the MTB XC gallery is online here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 1 OF THE GVC WINTER XC SERIES

It's become a tradition... and one that grows each year.

Daz and his mates organize a Halloween Party at The Fermain Tavern where no amount of effort is spared to decorate the stage to make a spectacular setting for the bands.

Inevitably this encourages them to raise their game and this then rubs off on the gig-goers. You get the idea. Bring out the fake blood and costumes. Let the fun begin!

The 2017 edition of the Halloween Party saw all the old props come out of the shed (it must be a big one!). These were supplemented by new scary additions.

This gig is a 'must do' each year and 2017 was a vintage one.

The line-up included Dolmens... a very promising new band made up of several old faces that we all know from past bands. They were followed by something heavy... that'll be Byzanthian Neckbeard's slot.

One of Guernsey's regular headliners completed the gig in style and fancy dress. Static Alice topped the memorable night.

View my pics by following this link:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 HALLOWEEN GIG

Guernsey seemed an unlikely tour stop for a rock band that emanated from Switzerland, but somehow the guys had heard of our small island and found themselves at Guernsey's most famous venue for live music... The Fermain Tavern.

Once again 'The Tav' added to the local live gig history by offering a stage to bands from near and far. I've been able to photograph many of the varied performers and this website now stands as an historic record in its own right of the depth of talent to grace the small but famous stage.

I've added a new gallery of pics featuring Daxx & Roxane on stage at The Fermain Tavern. Take a look at the pictures here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF DAXX & ROXANE PLAYING AT THE TAV

In a twist of the norm I'm going to recommend to you that dialing 999 might get you more than just the emergency services.

I only found this out when I popped into The Doghouse in Guernsey to watch a band that had been recommended to me.

The band is called Ketones and the members are all Health Care professionals who find time between conflicting shifts to get together to enjoy their love of live music.

Of course I didn't go to the gig just to listen to the music, I took my cameras along too. That's what I do!

The lighting at The Doghouse is always challenging but I think I captured a few keepers.

Look out for the next Ketones gig. They will get you on your feet and dancing... that's got to be good for your health :-)
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF KETONES

The 2017 Guernsey 'Proms on the Pier' became, at short notice, 'Proms in Market Square' after the weather forecast predicted high winds.

The original location on Albert Pier was considered too exposed for the large marquee meaning the crew had to dismantle and move all their setup in an effort to save the traditional event.

The move was completed in time to allow a seamless switch and did nothing to dampen the party atmosphere.

Well done to the organizers.

I've added a few pics to a gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2017 GUERNSEY PROMS NIGHT

A very brief Blog before I dash off to Alderney to cover the three days of Motorsport.

I've just added a picture gallery featuring the 2017 Sound Guernsey Summer Party that was held the day before the Vale Earth Fair within the historic walls of Vale Castle. Sound Guernsey made use of the stage, sound and lighting that was in place for Sundays VEF. This turned out to be a perfect partnership.

The Summer Party was well supported and featured a great line-up of bands. Let's hope it returns next year.

Check out the gallery here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SOUND GUERNSEY SUMMER PARTY

Sometimes I wake up with the very best of intentions.

This is quite a rare thing so I normally like to make good use of this infrequent phenomenon.

This morning I woke up surprisingly fresh after enjoying a night out with my missus and oldest son Steve and his missus Vicky. We always enjoy their company and last night involved a lovely meal together with ample red wine, gin & tonics and Guinness. Just the usual night out with the kids then!

Actually it was a great improvement on the last time we enjoyed their company. On that occasion, after a wonderful home-cooked meal together with ample G&T's, my missus had a little fall and ended up in A&E with a broken wrist! Needless I didn't let her move about unsupported this time!

But I've digressed so back to my original comment. I awoke this morning with genuine intention to tidy up my garden which is showing signs of neglect after the last two months of my busy schedule.

However the urge to get on top of the garden disarray was soon dampened after I looked out of the window. It was raining heavily!

So that sees me back here in the studio in front of the amazing SpectraView 4K screens completing more of the backlog in editing. The garden is going to have to wait another day.

The beneficiary of all this is the 2017 Vale Earth Fair picture gallery. Whilst it is still only half finished I thought I'd put up a link in this Blog.

So far the featured Bands include: SoPM, The Crowband, Sugar Slam, Le Quartarette, Hot Plastic, Robert J Hunter, Phantom Cosmonaut, and Tree House Fire.

Take a look at the first pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE FIRST PICS OF THE 2017 VALE EARTH FAIR

August and September are 'crazy busy' months for me. There is always so much going on.

This inevitably leads to a back-log of edits waiting for my attention. I really hate having unfinished work but firstly I have to prioritize the Press edits which have tight deadlines.

So I now have a growing list of a variety of photoshoots... something to keep me out of mischief in the winter months - maybe?

One on the 'to-do' list is the 2017 Vale Earth Fair. This small and perfectly formed festival continued the good work of the previous forty-one years by suppoting good causes and doing all of this in an earth friendly way.

The Vale Earth Fair truly is a wonderful event where people of diverse backgrounds and interests find a communal karma enlightened by live music. The 2017 edition was enhanced by the warm day... perfect :-)

My fun isn't over yet as I'm about to photograph another Festival - the new Weekender Festival in Jersey. This is a re-invented and refreshed version of the old Jersey Live. It should be great.

But before getting on the boat to Jersey I've completed a quick Press edit of the VEF adding the pics to the VEF Gallery.

The Gallery offers you a taste of what the VEF is all about. The major updates featuring most of the bands and scene will follow as soon as I have more time:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FIRST GALLERIES FEATURING THE 2017 VALE EARTH FAIR

I've already mentioned the Guernsey School of Popular Music's Summer Party at the Fermain Tavern in a previous Blog. You can read that here if you want:
CLICK TO VIEW THE SoPM SUMMER PARTY BLOG

You will see in that Blog that I was impressed by the enthusiasm and talent displayed by 'tomorrows generation' of young musicians and singers.

Well the story didn't really end there as after the juniors had finished enjoying their moment on the Fermain Tavern stage the night went on with performances by four 'senior' bands... three of whom could even be called 'Pro's' if judged by their longevity and experience!

The first of the seniors was a three piece made up of members of the Falla family. They call themselves The Buried Kings. Next up on this busy evening was Lifejacket - they raised the energy level... and the sound level!

Following them were Gay Army who turned it up one more click on the dial as if they knew they had to because it was Thee Jenerators who were waiting in the wings to have their chance on stage... and they never go quietly!

So to sum up the SoPM Summer Party and the follow-on gig in just two words, 'thoroughly entertaining' covers it. During the evening we were treated to the emerging talent and rewarded by the experienced old hands.

You can view my photographs of The Buried Kings, Lifejacket, Gay Army and Thee Jenerators by following these links:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE BURIED KINGS
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF LIFEJACKET
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GAY ARMY
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THEE JENERATORS

Well how about that. I turn my back for a couple of days and the viewing total on this website passes through another MILLION MILESTONE!

I've been very busy for the last week and it seems that the 18 MILLION VIEWS total was broken at the weekend... and I've only just noticed!

What is also quite amazing is that the last five days has seen an extra 100,000 views added to the total!

Thanks for the continued support :-)

You can read a few of the previous MILLION MILESTONE Blogs by clicking here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PREVIOUS MILLION MILESTONE BLOGS

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... oh, and there's also a professional music photographer in attendance too ;-)

There was a fantastic atmosphere in the 'Tav which was packed full with young students and their supporters. The evening showcased perfectly how important music is in so many peoples lives and how being part of the music and artistic 'scene' helps you make friends for life.

From what I have seen whilst photographing three of the SoPM's events this summer the live music scene will only get stronger... that's good news :-)

This gallery displays pics of the eight bands that were formed by students for the 2017 SoPM Summer Party...
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE SoPM SUMMER PARTY

During its short life Guernsey's School of Popular Music has established a strong base of support. It has also established its own traditions. Not a bad effort after just a couple of years work!

I've been lucky to document some of these 'traditions' as they became established. It has been fantastic to get to know the tutors and students and to see how the hard work and practice is rewarded.

It is clear that the SoPM's modern approach to teaching music enables the students to blossom in confidence leading them to enjoy sharing their talents with friends, family and a wider audience.

The students have just completed two showcase events allowing them to demonstrate the progress they have made and I was at both gigs capturing some of the performances.

Many now familiar faces took to the stages fulfilling their ambitions to share their love of live music.

The first of the summer season's events was the Summer Concert at The Church on the Rock. Followed by the Summer Gig at The Doghouse.

You can view my pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE SoPM GALLERIES

That's another job done, hurrah!

The final galleries of pics from Chaos Voodoo 13 have now been added to the website.

New additions feature Demise of Sanity, Granite Wolf, Sugar Slam, Honest Crooks, Johnny Cage and the Voodoo Groove, That Band and a few more pics of the Peace Tent.

This is where you will find all the Greenman Chaos Voodoo 13 pics...
CLICK TO VIEW THE COMPLETED CHAOS VOODOO 13 PICS

Once again the Chaos Voodoo 13 Music & Motorcycle Festival was held on its unique clifftop site. All the expected ingredients were present, music & bikes... well that goes without question. Beer and fun. Of course, by the bucket full!

Perhaps it was just me that was missing from the usual line-up as I ended up with a couple of conflicting photo assignments :-(

But that didn't stop me from covering most of the Festival... and I still managed the usual 'van-camping' on the three nights!

My overall beer count might have been slightly down on the norm but perhaps that was a good thing for a photog who approaches retirement age at an alarming speed ;-)

You can now view the first of my pics that show some of the fun and music that made Chaos Voodoo 13 another vintage year..... More will follow.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FIRST PICS OF CHAOS VOODOO 13

One thing was certain when the Abba tribute band 'Bjorn Again' played for two nights to a packed crowd within the walls of Guernsey's historic Vale Castle.

... There was no shortage of hit songs for the band to play ...

Vale Castle is the traditional venue of the Vale Earth Fair so it is no stranger to live music. It is a fantastic setting for live performances and there was a large crowd for the first night of Bjorn Again.

Many people in the crowd had obviously been up in the attic to find some of their old gear. This added more atmosphere to the night.

I felt the only disappointing aspect of the night was that it seemed to end a bit too abruptly. Another fifteen minutes would have made the punters feel they had good value from the night.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF BJORN AGAIN