(photo for indiestyle.be)
More Alela
Alela Diane
This was undoubtably one of the most intense gigs of the year.
Only two days after the horrific attacks in Paris, one day before Brussels was under lockdown. Yet it was incredibly beautiful, disarming and exactly what the Botanique needed that night.
Low
Low is an American indie rock band from Duluth, Minnesota. The band consists of founding members Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker and Steve Garrington.
I photographed them on two occasions.
(photo for indiestyle.be)
More I Have a Tribe
I Have A Tribe
Irish musician Patrick O’Laoghaire recorded two EPs with Rob Ellis, toured Europe with Anna Calvi, and somehow ended up in a church at Glimps Festival in Ghent.
Never before was I so aware of my annoying photo clicks.
I couldn’t find a website, but you’ll love this video or this song
I Have A Tribe on Spotify
Booka Brass Band
An outdoor gig, on the first day of summer, Paris cinq , so this was a well lit stage for once. (A rare luxury for concert photographers.)
In fairness, I’m not big on brass bands. I didn’t plan on staying for the entire gig, but this was so much fun, I’m glad I did in the end. Well done, lads!
SOAK
Bridie Monds-Watson is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Derry, Northern Ireland.
She released her debut album ‘Before We Forgot How To Dream’ in May 2015.
I attended two pre-release gigs, one in Trix (Antwerp), opening for Low, the other in Botanique (Brussels). Both times I was there as a photo reporter for the online magazine indiestyle
Villagers
My introduction to Villagers was this striking video by Arbutus Yarns.
They’ve been one of my favourite bands since.
In April 2015 they released a new album ‘Darling Arithmetic’
Following the release they played a short set in the beautiful, but very dark Cirque Royal in Brussels. Thanks to Indiestyle I was allowed to bring my camera.
I thought the gig would be seated, and I’d have to stand at some distance from the stage, so I brought my best long-focus lens and no wide angle. Turns out I was wrong and I ended up with mostly close ups from Conor O’Brien (who needs to iron his shirt).
In August 2015 they played a hauntingly beautiful set in the courtyard of the Belfry of Bruges. I brought my camera again.
Alex Vargas
Honestly, I don’t know much about him. Wikipedia tells me he’s from Denmark, has an English mom and his dad’s from Uruguay, but he lives in London.
He played a lovely set in an overflowing botanique (as support act for Bear’s Den). I was a bit late (’cause I do have a day job, eh) and had some trouble making my way through the crowd to get a decent shot (but I did in the end).
(photo for Indiestyle)
Ryan Adams
Are photographers allowed to mention restrictions?
I photographed Ryan Adams at the Down The Rabbit Hole festival in the Netherlands.
Mr. Adams didn’t want any photographers in the photo barrier, so we had to capture his gig from behind the PA. Way to far if you’re not that tall and don’t have the best equipment. Luckily a kind security guy told me ‘anywhere in the audience is fine’. So I stood right behind the barrier and was able to make this image, my favourite action shot of the festival.
Matthew E. White
I haven’t written anything about Matthew yet.
He played a decent set in the Ancienne Belgique Club though and I pointed my lenses at him for Indiestyle.
Dimly lit stages 