iShootGigs - John Burrows Concert Photography

25/03/2012 – Joe Bonamassa @ Newcastle Metro Radio Arena

john — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:41:42 +0000

Joe Bonamassa seems to have exploded over the course of the last 5 years, and he is one of the few acts who have emerged from the ‘Young Blues Boom’ of 10 years ago with a consistent output and a sound he can call his own.

He is in Newcastle tonight, and interestingly he’s at the biggest venue we’ve got !

As I mentioned up there ^^^^^, Joe appears to be blasting off into the stratosphere of the blues world at the moment. Nobody seems to be able to put their finger on why, but people the world over seem to be embracing what he is bringing to the table – good songs, and heroic playing.

In my opinion, the blues world has been crying out for somebody with Joes ability. There have been several departing greats (Joe tipped his hat to one of them in particular – Gary Moore – this very evening) and nobody has stepped up to fill the void. There are several US acts that seem to have buckled under the pressure of being 17 year old prodigies, and as a result of that, we’ve had a lot of mediocre output shoved our way in the last 10 years. Joe is one of three players that genuinely excite me (Scott McKeon and Philip Sayce being the others), and even that never used to be the case. “A New Day Yesterday” was a great album, but if you were to tell me that it would be Joe to make the breakaway from Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jonny Lang, I would have laughed in your face.

Fast forward ten years and here we are. Joe has put out two stunning albums back to back in ‘Dust Bowl‘ and ‘Black Rock‘, and tonight he’s stepping out onto the hallowed turf of Newcastle Arena.

Tonight is the first time I’ve seen him live in the flesh, and it’s pretty obvious to me that Black Country Communion has been a great life experience for him. I’ve watched a couple of his earlier live DVD’s and although his stage presence has always been a plus point, musically he’s integrated a lot more rock into his work. He sounds louder, angrier, a bit more on the edge of melting your face. I like it.

I do like to rattle on about setlists, but Joe has really surpassed himself tonight. Whether it’s live or on record, I like the fact that he has a knack of blending sounds together to make things his own (Quarryman’s Lament anyone). He started with a 1/2/3 of ‘Slow Train’, ‘Last Kiss’ and the epic tribute to our Gaz with ‘Midnight Blues’, before tearing the arse out of ‘Dust Bowl’. Everything else was pretty much as I expected it. Joe might claim he’s never had any big hits, but there are LOTS of his songs that any crowd would expect him to play. As with everything, there are always ‘big songs’ on any album after all.

I’d noticed in press before the tour that Joe was debuting some songs on this tour, and he did just that with the title track of his up and coming album ‘Driving Towards Daylight’. If the rest of the album is as good as the track sounded this evening, he can take my money right now !

I have only one complaint to make:

I can’t understand why artists of Joes caliber are choosing to play a ‘Half Arena’ show in Newcastle at the minute as opposed to playing City Hall or Gateshead Sage. Joe gets away with it tonight due to a lot of his music now leaning heavily towards the ‘rock’ end of his ‘blues-rock’ sound – but there are lots of nuances and tonalities that would sound better in a venue which has superior acoustics. Just saying

Anyway, do the right thing and go and catch Joe live. I’ll definitely be seeing him again !

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Published ! Bryan Adams 2012 Tour Programme !

admin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:21:14 +0000

I’ve had to keep this one under wraps for a little while now, but I am SO happy to announce that I am one of only three photographers to contribute to Bryan Adams 2012 Tour Programme (BA himself is one of the three).

Working with Bryan and his team has been an amazing opportunity and it’s great to have the finished article in my hands !

24/11/2011 – Bryan Adams @ Newcastle Metro Radio Arena

admin — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:57:51 +0000

Bryan Adams was back in the Toon this evening celebrating 20 years of ‘Waking up the Neighbours‘ with his biggest stage setup since the Early 90′s, and a whopping 2 hours and 15 minute set length !

As Waking up the Neighbours‘ sold 16 million copies worldwide, reached the number 1 spot in 8 countries and spawned hits such as ‘There Will Never Be Another tonight’ , ‘(Everything I do) I Do It For You’, and ‘Can’t Stop This Thing We Started’, it was nice to see ‘House Arrest’ pulled out of the bag as the opening number – an understated classic in my opinion. ‘Somebody’ followed up switftly before melding effortlessly into a greatest hits set comprising amongst others of ‘Cuts Like a Knife’, ‘Summer of 69′, ‘It’s Only Love’, ‘Heaven’, ‘Cloud Number Nine’ and ‘I’m Ready’.

Even reading back through the setlist now, I can’t help but feel that Bryan Adams put on a show that was exceptional value for money – is it naughty of me to suggest the high point though was the ‘duet’ on ‘When You’re Gone’ with a rather uniquely sounding fan :p

Great show !

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Setlist:

House Arrest
Somebody
Here I am
All I want is you
Can’t stop this thing we started
I’m ready
Thought I’d died and gone to heaven
Hearts on fire
Do I have to say the words
18 til I die
Back to you
Summer of 69
Medley of Is your mama gonna miss ya/ If you wanna leave me / Touch the hand
Everything I do
Cuts like a knife
It’s only love
Depend on me
When you’re gone
Heaven
The only thing that looks good on me is you
Run to you
There will never be another tonight
Cloud no. 9
The way you make me feel
Straight from the heart

01/11/2011 – Tinie Tempah @ Newcastle Metro Radio Arena

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:57:10 +0000

I’ve been waiting for this moment since I first heard ‘Pass Out’ nearly a year and a half ago. Tonight – the Wonderman himself is here to play, and it’s the gig I’ve been most looking forward to in 2011 !

Bursting onto the stage via a trapdoor, Tinie came out of the blocks on fire, bathed in a sea of backlit Pyro. Launching from ‘Simply Unstoppable’ into chart hit ‘Frisky’, Tinie shows why he is one of the most saught after acts in the UK and US. You can see the desire burning in his eyes, and he means every single word that passes from his lips.

We get the big guns from the debut album. ‘Written in the Stars’, ‘Invincible’ and crossover smash ‘Miami 2 Ibiza’, but it’s the other songs, the growers that prove Mr Tempah is a class act. There’s not one moment of filler here. My favourite three songs are delivered amazingly well (‘Illusion’, ‘Till I’m Gone’ and the ridiculously amazing ‘Wonderman’) before we got the acoustic ballad ‘Love Suicide’, ‘Earthquake’ (the collab with Labyrinth) and then the finale of ‘Pass Out’.

Stunning stuff, gig of the year hands down.

Setlist:

Intro
Simply Unstoppable
Frisky
Till I’m Gone
Wonderman
Illusion
Snap
Written In The Stars
Acoustic
Love Suicide
Invincible
Let Go
Obsession
Miami 2 Ibiza
Encore:
Hitz
Mosh Pit
Earthquake
Encore 2:
Pass Out

14/10/2011 – City & Colour @ Newcastle City Hall

admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:57:24 +0000

Fresh from the official announcement of Alexisonfire splitting up, Dalls Green brought City & Colour to Newcastles most prestigious venue for an intimate concert chocked full of stunning songs.

When I first heard about City & Colour a year ago, I never imagined what I would be getting myself into. People in metal bands often have ‘side projects’ that turn out to be ….. well ….. shite.

Dallas Green can most certainly NOT be put in that category. I heard two songs from ‘Sometimes’ and I was sold. I bought the full discography immediately.

You see, City & Colour have that special ingredient. Dalls is not only one of the best singers in the world, he is also a master craftsmen. His songs are tinged with saddness and truth, but they are also filled with technical yet refined excellence and stunning harmonies.

The set tonight introduced a lot of new material from latest album ‘Little Hell‘, the natural progression meaning that there is a full band present tonight. I confess to not knowing any of the other members, but it’s pretty clear as the show goes on that they are all on the same page as their leader and they really groove.

Watching Dallas interact with the crowd is something special in itself. He admits on stage that he is shy and struggles to communicate, yet his introspective outlook only brings an extra melanchonic meaning to the words he delivers to the audience.

I could go on and on about each and every song int he setlist tonight, but I’ll stick to two and be done with it.

1: ‘Body in a box’ was absolutely sensational for the reason that Dallas demanded everybody in the audience put down their mobile phones for the duration of the song and actually listened as a collective instead of having their minds elsewhere. Everybody obliged.

2: ‘Coming Home’. I have NEVER had the hairs on my neck stand up in the way they saluted when this was played. My favourite C & C song, slightly reworked and breathtaking.

I guess I’d best mention the ‘incident’ before Weightless as well where the band took it upon themselves to eject two drunks from the front row as they were talking too loudly and making a nuisance of themselves. This typifies for me what the band is all about. If you’re into them, you respect them. If not – well, leave.

Photos:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Setlist:

We Found Each Other in the Dark
The Death of Me
Waiting…
The Grand Optimist
As Much as I Ever Could
Weightless
Lost (Daniel Romano cover)
Day Old Hate
Body in a Box
What Makes a Man
The Girl
Little Hell
Sleeping Sickness
Fragile Bird
Sorrowing Man
Encore:
Comin’ Home
Sometimes (I Wish) (With snippet of “No Ordinary Love” by Sade)

25/07/2011 – Slash @ Leeds O2 Academy

john — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 22:30:09 +0000

There’s nothing else I can really say other than tonight I got to photograph one of my all time heros.

Ladies and Gentlemen. Slash …..

Cracking gig tonight.

Slash has assembed a classy band in support of his self titled album, with an inspired choice to to bring Myles Kennedy along for the tour (I’m a massive Alter Bridge fan as you all know).

To get it out of the way, this is my first ever visit to the Leeds O2 Academy and I’m bloody jealous ! Two floors, very intimate, and even a VIP entrance to the photo pit when you pick up your pass !

Anyway I digress.

Setlist tonight covered all bases. I do like Guns ‘N’ Roses (who wouldn’t) but I would say that Velvet Revolver were a better fit for me. I also liked the Slashes Snakepit albums, so I was pleased there was something here for everyone, as well as of course, a large selection from the new album. It was great hearing Myles interpret all of these songs, particularly the songs from ‘Slash‘. I like the album, there are a lot of great songs on there, but unfortunately I’m not a fan of all the different singers that were used. Controversially – Ozzy Osbournes voice has always grinded on me for one, along with Lemmy and Kid Rock. Myles brings a sense of continuity to the proceedings and it’s extremely welcome.

If I may put it that way, tonight Slash fed the goat. He’s put together a band that he can rely on, that there is no drama with, and he knows he has some great material to deliver night after night. Everybody knew every word to every song, he busted out all the moves, everybody went home VERY happy.

Another privelege.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Photos:

Setlist:

Ghost
Mean Bone (Slash’s Snakepit song)
Sucker Train Blues (Velvet Revolver song)
Nightrain (Guns N’ Roses song)
Rocket Queen (Guns N’ Roses song)
Civil War (Guns N’ Roses song)
Back From Cali
Promise
Starlight
Nothing To Say
Mr. Brownstone (Guns N’ Roses song)
Doctor Alibi
Speed Parade (Slash’s Snakepit song)
Jizz Da Pit (Slash’s Snakepit song)
Just Like Anything (Slash’s Snakepit song)
Fall To Pieces (Velvet Revolver song)
Patience (Guns N’ Roses song)
Guitar Solo / Godfather Theme
Sweet Child O’ Mine (Guns N’ Roses song)
Slither (Velvet Revolver song)
Encore:
By The Sword
My Michelle (Guns N’ Roses song)
Paradise City (Guns N’ Roses song)

30/06/2011 – Charlie Simpson @ Newcastle O2 Academy 2

john — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 22:21:19 +0000

Fightstar favourite Charlie Simpson came to Academy 2 this evening, and I had the pleasure of shooting the show AND grabbing some portrait shots beforehand.

If you haven’t had chance to hear any of Charlies solo material then I suggest you do so. Young Pilgrim is the name of the album, and it could just be up there as one of my favourites of 2011.

After getting the portraits out of the way just before the curtain came up (major thanks to Charlie and to Ste Kerry – two top blokes), I settled down in the ‘pit’ upstairs in anticipation of the bands arrival.

Charlie hasn’t scrimped on anything in the sonic department on this tour. A lot of people would be tempted to just do the rounds solo acoustic, but the performance tonight is extremely faithful to the album, in that there are multiple layers and harmonies, both vocally and instrumentally. There are 6 people on stage tonight and they all play a vital role in proceedings.

The set itself was relatively short (there were 4 bands on the bill), but I get the feeling it was done this way for a reason. There is only one cover performed, and it’s not from one of Charlies other bands. In my opinion this shows a confidence in the new album and is a brave move that is richly rewarded.

Down down down and parachutes are the two lead singles he’s chosen, but it’s Thorns and Cemetery that really do it for me and provoke the biggest reaction of the night from the crowd. For such a new album, it’s suprising how many of the songs that the crowd know, but this is testament to the fan base that follows the man around.

Charlie has every reason to be proud of his new solo venture, and he delivered it with aplomb this evening.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Photos:

Setlist:

Suburbs
Parachutes
Cemetery
Thorns
Sundown
I Need A Friend Tonight
Down Down Down
(I Just) Died In Your Arms (Cutting Crew cover)
All At Once
Encore:
When We Were Lions
Farmer & His Gun

19/04/2011 – Paul Rodgers @ Newcastle Metro Radio Arena

john — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 22:21:17 +0000

The return of one of my local heroes tonight. Paul Rodgers returned to the North-East and upgraded from his usual haunt of Newcastle City Hall to the Metro Radio Arena, bringing with him a boat load of anthems and a man who has some Led Zep heritage in his blood !

The man in question is of course powerhouse drummer Jason Bonham, who is joined by Lynn Sorenson on bass and Howard Leese on guitar.

The atmosphere was electric from the get go, and was basically a celebration of Pauls entire musical career.

There were Free numbers, Bad Company numbers, and of course boat loads of solo material. As much as I sometimes disagree with some of Jason Bonhams ventures, I can’t deny that including him here is a master stroke. He really helps to fill the sound that the Arena can bring, and the band sound absolutely huge. I’m stunned that Rodgers hasn’t lost any of his vocal range as he’s got older, and Howard Leese on guitar fills the boots of some very talented guitarists that have gone before him.

After I’d finished shooting it actualy dawned on me that this was a fully seated gig, but one look around at the amount of people ignoring this and standing dancing confirmed it as a special evening that we may not get to witness many times again. I for one am pleased I got to witness it and I hope we get treat to a repeat performance in the near future.

P.S I do have one minor gripe though and that’s whilst I’m writing this, I’m listening to ‘Now’. In my opinion it’s an absolute BELTER and I do wish he would play some songs off it occassionally. I know it’s difficult to work tracks from it into what is essentially a greatest hits, but Paul – this album is one of your best mate, you need to start taking more pride in it :p

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

NB: MASSIVE thanyou to the nicest woman in PR, Tracy Gosling

Photos:

Setlist:

Walk In My Shadow
Wishing Well
Fire & Water
Feel Like Makin’ Love
Mr Midnight
Be My Friend
Mr Big
Run With The Pack
Bad Company (Bad Company song)
The Stealer
Seagull (Bad Company song)
My Brother Jake (false start)
My Brother Jake (Free song)
Ain’t Too Proud To Beg
Shooting Star
Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy (Bad Company song)
Can’t Get Enough (Bad Company song)
Ride On A Pony
All Right Now (Free song)
The Hunter

18/02/2011 – Skindred @ Newcastle O2 Academy

john — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:50:29 +0000

I’ve been waiting to catch up with Benji and the boys for the last few years. A few friends of mine rave about Skindred live and tonight I get to find out just how good they are !

VERY good is the rather predictable answer. For a band thats worked the circuit for as long as they have and still manage to pull in crowds that react like this, they just have to have something about them.

Incase by some miracle you haven’t heard their studio work, they fuse metal with dub, reggae and electronica and they have forged a very niche sound for themselves. Their biggest hit ‘nobody’ came from from the ‘Babylon’ album, but definitely grab hold of ‘Roots Rock Riot’ if you want a really great example of what Skindred are capabale of.

The tour at the minute is a bit of a warm up to their full UK tour in support of new album ‘Union Black’, but as it’s not been released yet, the setlist draws mainly from the aforementioned ‘Roots Rock Riot’ album with a couple of others gems thrown in for good measure.

The crowd were really into Skindred tonight, and the band clearly loved being up there. Benji is an absolutely awesome frontman, but the band as a whole are really really tight, Mikey Demus (who has a knack of squeezing out perculiar guitar sounds) in particular.

Myself? I’m very impressed. The different influences mashed up by the band provide a unique experience that I haven’t seen too often – metal heads getting down in a dancehall fashion one second, circle pits the next. Benji’s Robot dance competition brings a moment of light heartedness to the occassion, but ‘destroy the dancefloor’, ‘rat race’ and closer ‘nobody’ ensure thats it’s the fury at the heart of the band that the crowd will remember tonight, a very impressive performance.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Photos:

Setlist:

Cause ah Riot
Trouble
Doom Riff
Pressure
Cut Dem
Rat Race
Destroy the Dancefloor
Warning
Nobody

03/11/2010 – Stone Sour @ Newcastle O2 Academy

john — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:35:17 +0000

I’ve been looking forward to this part of the evening for quite some time – latest album ‘Audio Secrecy‘ has grown on me a lot and I make no secret of the fact that I’m a bit of a Corey Taylor fan ! I love Slipknot, but tonight is all about seeing Corey and the boys in a more ‘relaxed’ guise….

I say ‘relaxed’ in quotes as that’s not really the case. The band always give their all – in fact I’ve not seen one clip of Mr Taylor where he looks like he’s tossing it off, but with Stone Sour I personally get the feeling that things seem a lot more comfortable. The songs take greater meaning maybe, or maybe there isn’t as much of a circus surrounding things, but either way this band to me just works. ‘Audio Secrecy‘ has seen things move further into pastures new. The greatest moments on the album to me are the songs that have been given room to breathe – it seems everybody really enjoys crafting songs they otherwise don’t get an opportunity to.

The Stone Sour I saw on stage were a class above from the same band I had seen previously and reflect what I have mentioned above. More comfortable with each other, with the audience, with the songs. Moments of quiet and disdain, moments of bedlam. They just plain fucking rocked it !

There’s only one problem I ever have with seeing them and thats remembering there are other band members apart from Corey. Roy Mayorga is a much better fit behind the sticks and has made the position his own, whilst Shawn Economaki brings a Nate Mendell type vibe with him (he’s surely got to be a shoe in for the Slipknot touring bass player position hasnt he?) Finally, Jim Root and Josh Rand make a formidable partnership, Rand in particular is highly underrated. But then I come back to Corey. He fucking OWNS the stage and audience and gives his fellow band mates the room they need to do their own thing. He calls us his bitches one minute, but the next (during Bother) we reduce him to tears (see below).

Stone Sour are a band you can grow with, that you can empathise with. And that makes them the stronger of the two bands tonight for me.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Photos:

Setlist:

Mission Statement
Reborn
Made Of Scars
Say You’ll Haunt Me
Get Inside
Unfinished
Your God
Bother
Through Glass
Digital (Did You Tell)
Hell & Consequences
30/30-150