Buble and more...

Hi Guys

Been a busy few weeks culminating in shooting Michael Buble at the O2 on Sunday (surprisingly the only photographer on the night though saturday was a bit mobbed by all accounts). Got some great shots despite having to balance my enormous 400mm on my left knee (it's the lens you see at most sporting venues supported by monopods, it's bloody heavy!) the results of which are on the web site. Buble and his band were on particularly good form and much fun was had by all. The bugger of being a photographer is missing songs having taken shots through the three allocated songs, this time Mack the Knife was breaking out as I left the arena to hand in my kit and was long gone by the time I found my seat. Home was performed in the middle of the enthusiastic crowd and the whole set was a demonstration of skilled musicianship behind that smooth vocal. The acapella based support band Naturally 7 were fantastic too.

Did two Glen Campbell shows at Southend and The Royal Festival Hall - the guy is ageless and voice and guitar skills remain virtually untouched despite his advancing years. He was supported on this tour by a band that included three of his children, a very talented bunch they are too. Two of the kids Ashley and Cal (along with two other band members Ry Jarred and Siggy Sjursen ) are also in Instant People, who entertained us with a very skilled set before joining Glen on stage for the main event. The old favourites were wheeled out and delivered with a relish and panache under the direction of T.J. Kuenster who first joined Glen in the early seventies. The best surprises are from his recent album which convert with a refreshing air to stage - so Foo Fighters, Tom Petty and U2 covers are given the Campbell re-interpretation and all work remarkably well. Daughter Debby completed the line-up and if (I sincerely hope they do!) they do return to these shores put some time aside as it is a great night's entertainment.

Another O2 show was the Aussie Pink Floyd which was somewhat spoiled from a shooting point of view by latecomers blocking or hindering my view. Three songs go remarkably quickly when people are in your way. I had to shoot from the front of the mixing area a long way from the stage so the results are what they are - wouldn't call it ny best show, I certainly enjoyed the NIA shows of the last couple of years more as I was given licence to stroll around the arena and shoot from anywhere. Apart from that the actual show was a triumph - these guys do interpret Floyd's music to perfection and the lighting show is phenomenal. lots of little in-jokes with kangaroos, etc add to the sense of fun.

Write soon
Les