Photography

First gig of the year – The Dedication 2018.

We were a bit gutted that due to storm Eleanor kicking in on the day we were due to make our visit, the Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo had to be cancelled, really shame as we were looking forward to it and due to their scheduling an extra night couldn’t be added in to replace it, ah well, maybe next time.

But I have at least made a good start to the gig year, attending and shooting at The Dedication (a Tribute show for Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, and what a great night it was. Each of the bands played great sets, but as with seeing them last August it was Black Rose that just nailed it on the night, excellent band that definitely has both the spirit and the skill to pay homage to the man himself. There were 4 band playing on the night, from Ireland and the UK –

Shades Of Lizzy (Irl)

Still Dangerous (UK)

The Truce (Irl)

Black Rose (UK)

Shades Of Lizzy – The Dedication – 05-01-2018

Still Dangerous – The Dedication -05-01-2018

Black Rose – The Dedication – 05-01-2018

We are lucky to have an abundance of Lizzy lovers and musicians that what to keep the music alive, it’s always brilliant to hear the classics, but even better to hear songs you wouldn’t normally hear anywhere but at home on your stereo. Hopefully next time around there will be a bigger crowd, but as with every event you have to start somewhere in year one. These events seem to suit the Button Factory.

Roll on Thursday night and the chance to see the wonderful Geoff Tate performing the full ‘Operation Mindcrime’ album with his band of the same name. One of my favourite albums of all time, can’t wait.

Starting 2018 how we mean to continue.

Music, Nature, Uncategorized

On the way home from what I guess you could call my other job this evening, I was rushing to get home as I did want to try and catch some of the Football ( ManUtd – v- Everton ), I noticed the size and clarity of the moon this evening, well it is a Supermoon isn’t it, almost mesmerising, so the first thought was lets get home and get the camera out. Don’t think I have done it much justice here at all, but it’s going to be a busy week so hopefully an early night tonight and hoping even more that I can get some sleep and the little guy won’t be waking us up at 5:30 – well we can all hope for these things can’t we.

Tomorrow evening we are planning on taking in the Wild Lights Exhibition at Dublin Zoo, have heard lots of great things about it and many families that have loved seeing it, so hopefully the weather holds up and his lordship manages to stay awake and take it all in 😉 He loves bright coloured stuff, so should be right up his street. will bring along the camera if it’s permitted. Either way hopefully it will light up his happy little face and we’ll have a fun evening out.

Wild Lights – Dublin Zoo

Of course there’s work this week, which will more than likely be very busy kicking off the new year, and there’s a lot of other external obligations that will take up a lot of time this coming year, and have to always ensure that I don’t push it all too far and try and improve health wise over the next 12 months, it is very easy to try and do everything and run into a brick wall, but I’m also determined to do as much as I can with the camera and a lot of music, listening to or checking out live. To this end will be starting by shooting The Dedication show on Saturday at the Button Factory, some cracking bands on the bill once again and will be fun to catch up with some friends as always, that being followed up with the wonderful voice of Geoff Tate, with his band Operation Mindcrime, again playing the Button Factory and specially playing what is in my revolving top 3 albums of all time, ‘Operation Mindcrime’, should be a cracking show, the last acoustic Tour that Geoff did was very well received indeed and can’t wait for this one. The music on this album still creates tingles up and down my spine, and I have no doubt at all when the intro’s kick in the same will happen.

Not a bad way to kick things off with January normally being a quiet month, lets see how we get on and hopefully I’ll have some decent shots to add to the site and pass onto the guys.

How much have you planned for 2018 ? Are you mad ????? ;-)

AOR, Music, Nature, Uncategorized

Ok, back so quickly, yes but it suddenly hit me just how much I already have in my thoughts or actually organised for 2018. Current count is a total of 32 Gigs, of them 4 Festivals that I think are already organised, 6 Trips to the UK, and we haven’t even gotten things started yet. So the question comes flying at me again in big capitals –

ARE YOU MAD ????????

The answer is clearly yes, but hey, I’ve a lot to make up for, and I really want to get as much done this year as possible, as I think it may be the last year I can do much at all for a while. So lets throw caution to the wind and see how it goes. Really looking forward to it, lets keep the energy as high as possible and see where it takes us.

Today another one got added, the wonderful Pat McManus Band playing in Dublin in Feb. Hell Yeah !!!

The Pat McManus Band - DRC - 26-09-2014 — Pat McManus – DRC – 26-09-2014

Marking achievements gets harder every year ?

AOR, Music, Nature, Uncategorized

Really it does, as we grow older and our circumstances change, along with the demands on our time from not only our work but also family or other external influences, it becomes harder to see what you have gotten done in a year.

Personally, well I would say on the Photography/Music front, less than I got done last year, but at the same time considering all that has changed in my life this year perhaps a lot more than I could have expected.

Attended at least 2 Gigs/Festivals a month (yes a significant drop on anything in the last 8 years – but still some awesome shows)

In reality I have only been able to shoot a few shows this year, and luckily also a number of Festivals, which helped a lot. But those I have done have been terrific to be at and even better to shoot, some of my favourite Artists, some from the Bucketlist that have been crossed off, and some for fun that really were that.

Reviews wise – well even with a few days to go I’m still trying to get over the 36 mark for albums, and perhaps only 10 Gigs/Festivals, again a noticeable drop on three or four years ago when I started Writing, but at the same time 3 per month isn’t all that shabby. It’s still an honour to cover Albums and Gigs for a number of Sites.

At the end of the day these are just figures and don’t mean a hell of a lot, but it’s always an easy way of seeing how busy you have been with other things. Perhaps not a fair comparison but in 2014 the figures were 69 Gigs/Festivals and 61 Reviews, and pretty much the same in 2015. perhaps they were the exceptions 😉

But there are many other things that have happened that can be marked as success stories, and even winning small battles should never be ignored.

Still 2017 has been a difficult one, and here’s to 2018 being a much better, happier and healthier year for us all.

So how has 2017 panned out – good, bad or indifferent ?

AOR, Music, Uncategorized

Well personally, it’s been a bit of a mess of a year, so much stuff going on and less and less time to do stuff I’d like to get done. The year has flown by, and although I’ve missed so many more gigs than I’d ever like to, through illness (of everyone) and other commitments taking precedence, additional responsibilities and just less time in general. But having said that I’ve still managed to attend, and shoot some amazing events with some Artists I’ve always dreamed of seeing. And although there’s not much left of the year, there’s still a couple of gigs left to get in.

Really would have loved to have gotten back over to Bloodstock again, but sometimes family stuff just has to take priority and that was certainly the case in 2017, but there will always be other gigs, and boy oh boy does next year look unbelievable – so many Festivals with stellar lineups, gigs and Tours getting announced every couple of days, it’s going to be a complete blockbuster.

Highlights of this year so far have got to have been – Click on an image to go to the Gallery.

Jo Harman/Elles Bailey – Jo’s stunning show at the Jazz Cafe in Feb, now available on CD – do go and check it out.

Elles Bailey – Jazz Cafe London, Feb 2017

Shooting HRH AOR again, with some brilliant performances as always and getting to see bands I have not seen in almost 30 years, the likes of Lita Ford, Michael Monroe, Slaughter and Autograph, or some newer bands like The Radio Sun.

Shooting HRH Blues in Sheffield, some terrific artists and performances and a number of whom I hadn’t managed to see before.

Rockingham 2017 – another absolutely kick ass weekend with great bands and people, this Festival has definitely become a highlight of the Calendar, roll on 2018.

Here’s to more next year and a number of Bucketlist bands to cross off the list, already have some excellent shows lined up for the New Year – and looking forward to shooting a couple of shows early in Januray \m/ \m/

Where does the time go ? ;-)

AOR, Music, Uncategorized

It’s just disappearing so quickly this year, and yes I know we all say the same thing every year as we get older, but in particular the last couple of months have just gone by in the blink of an eye.

It is ridiculous that my trip to the Rockingham Festival is now a month ago, seriously a whole month and so much has happened since then, good and bad, but the wheels of life keep on turning, committments with work and family have certainly taken their toll this year, and have probably left me the most tired my body has been for a number of years. At the same time having managed to avoid taking a fit (as I am epileptic) and continuing to get some Review/Photo work done outside of everything else, so that is a small miracle in itself. ( Rockingham 2017 & Reviews to check them out ).

Pekka Ansio Heino - Brother Firetribe - Rockingham 2017 — Pekka Ansio Heino – Brother Firetribe – Rockingham 2017

So as November draws to a close a lot of thoughts have to come to mind for the different Sites that I work with for Best of Lists for 2017, and that’s going to take a bit of time, it’s a lot more difficult for me at times with the vary varied tastes that I have in music, and can be quite stressful. This year there have been a lot of great new album releases from both new bands and some excellent new content from older bands, which is great to see. Right now I’m working on a number of reviews to get back quite quickly, and taking in a lot of bands from Asia, some cracking Thrash Metal from Bangladesh in the form of EXALTER, alongside some bluesy southern rock tinged rock from this side of the World from Samarkind which has been getting a regular spin on my music players.

As we are about to hit the Christmas season I have unfortunately had to cancel some gig plans recently again due to some family stuff that needed attention, but I’ve added in some last minute ones to try and make up for it, and next year it looking like a bumper one, it will be the last one for a while I think I can do a lot of gigs as the little man will be more mobile and expensive 😉 So I think next year it things work out I’m going to get in as much as I can, already planning and plotting with a few Festivals and a number of Gigs already organised. Including hearing one of my all time favourite albums from start to finish in the 2nd week in January, and shooting the show, so marking some more off the Bucketlist.

Bring on 2018, it’s going to be a more memorable year than 2017 for me, I can just feel it 😉 and much less sickness all around \m/ \m/

The difference a week makes with your musical journeys ;-)

AOR, Music, Uncategorized

It is a funny thing, especially if like me you have a very wide ranging musical taste, but any particular week can have so many changes of pace/genre/style and vibe. For example, on the previous weekend I was at a mainly AOR Festival, acts like Dave Bickler former Survivor lead singer, KIX, Vince Neil and Loverboy, and having been there not only as a fan but also working as a Photographer and Reviewer keeps your mind focused on what type of music you are watching and loving.

Steve Whiteman of KIX headlining the opening night of Rockingham 2017

So perhaps on a psychological level after that much of a thought process going on in your head you will find it impossible not to prejudge what you next see and hear. This past weekend it was Orange Goblin on Friday night and that was quickly followed by Hardcore Superstar and Fozzy on Saturday, all very different styles of music, all very different vibes, two hometown shows this time, and all very interesting, but it was really just so hard to get into the gigs, don’t know if it was the overtired feeling in my head, the busy week with work stress etc, or simply the fact that I have so much in my memory to push into the Rockingham review. This of course doesn’t help when you are reviewing one of these shows, so the only option was to get it done as quickly as follows, which was the approach I took, a four band bill, all very different types of bands and done and dusted the night after the show. Good going if I do say so myself.

Today is a Bank Holiday in Ireland, so was planning to get the photos pretty much done and complete the Day 1 review to submit tonight, but a massive headache and that drained feeling aren’t helping, also have to make a trip to my mams yet and time is getting on, Stop the roundabout I want to take a break, a few hours sleep would definitely not go amiss. Early night tonight and back into work tomorrow.

Mike Reno of Loverboy – headlining the final night of Rockingham 2017

Still three gigs in a week is definitely an improvement and some cracking gigs coming up in November, and again a very wide variety, starting this coming Friday with one I really can’t wait for, Leprous for me have produced one of the albums of the year, Progressive Rock/Metal of the highest order, really looking forward to seeing can they pull off the sound live. Still to come are the likes of Tyketto, Bigfoot, Jinjer, Maverick and perhaps a bit of Frank Carter, before Decemenber kicks in with more.

Rockingham 2017 may just have broken me ;-)

AOR, Music, Uncategorized

What a wonderful weekend that was, wonderful musicians, including some names to cross off the Bucketlist, special performances, and getting to hang around with some of my favourite people (albeit all too briefly as work was really busy).

The hard work is in full swing now working on the Photographs and Full Review of the Festival, yes I know, I know, wasn’t so long ago that I said I wouldn’t be doing the Review and Photography think at a Full 3 day Festival anymore, but to be honest, it seems to be quite difficult these days to get a Reviewer for a Festival, especially the smaller ones, so in order to get the job done someone has to step forward.

This years Festival was simply a joy from start to finish, working with some great people who are friends, shooting and watching some wonderful bands and although it all goes by far too quickly it’s always worth the effort. With headliners like KIX, Vince Neil and Loverboy there was a lot of fun and energy around the place.

Here are a few photos of different bands, the Full Review will follow when published and Full Galleries of all the bands after that. Hope you enjoy them.

Click on any of the Thumbnails below to see a larger version of the picture.

Back in the saddle again ;-)

AOR, Music, Uncategorized

Just a quick post before I get a few hours sleep and begin my journey to Rockingham 2017. The excitement has been building all day, but honestly it’s tomorrow that it will all kick off.

Touch wood everything is in place and I will be covering the Festival for The Midlands Rocks again, and although I’m already tired this is just going to be another brilliant weekend, bands that I have never seen live before and have waited many many years to do so, and some of my favourite bands and artists all under one roof, add to that getting to spend time among some of the best people I know, hard to go wrong really. Then there’s the added bonus of a very comfortable bed and possibility to catch up on some sleep (we shall see about that one).

There’s even an additional bonus of the launch of the debut Midnite City album tomorrow afternoon before the Festival starts – brilliant, it’s a great album and can’t wait to hear some of the songs live.

Wish me luck and will hopefully have some updates over the weekend either here, or on the Tears Of Fire Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages 😉

Reacting to life’s changing circumstances.

AOR, Music, Uncategorized

Been a bit quiet for a while, but there’s just been so much going on with real life and family that I honestly have had to put a lot of my musical life on hold, this happens to us all at certain points in time, but it’s been a pretty difficult year all in all and as we hit October and I look back on what I’ve been to and done this year gig/review wise and it’s definitely been a lot less than normal, but there have been some great ones in there and have an over ambitious list of gigs to try and get through before the year is out. Of course for someone with Epilepsy, which is brought on by exhaustion, I will have to be careful with this stuff.

Right now a lot of my free time is not under my control and I have come to terms with that, but without my musical outlet the chances of slowly going mad are of course rising by the day, so in a couple of weeks I will be attending the Rockingham Festival in Nottingham, and am thrilled that I will be shooting/reviewing it, so a working break, but a much needed break all the same. And in reality it will become more difficult to get away for 3/4 days as time goes on and the need to be close to home becomes more important, for one reason or another, so I certainly don’t take going away lightly, the support of a very understanding wife and the help of some family and friends allows the possibility to be come a reality. At times at the moment it’s like working 3 jobs and not having a break inbetween, or very little, that’s where the stress, strain and sheer exhaustion kick in. So the opportunity to get away and shoot acts like Loverboy, KIX, Vince Neil, Harem Scarem, John Parr etc……… WOW, it’s going to be great, and a few nights in a hotel will hopefully bring some much needed sleep along with it.

I did manage to get over to see one of my Bucketlist bands, Living Colour, a couple of weeks ago and that was just an awesome night, but a night is gone by in a flash and have had to miss two gigs since, so it’s back into the same sort of rut again, which can be difficult to wrap your head around. Luckily there are a lot of good friends out there that we can all use to bounce things off, never be afraid to share with friends and let people know when times are difficult, we can all use help when everything gets on top of us.

What next year holds, well we will see, but with some gigs and Festivals already scheduled we can just hope that things become a little easier, my son will be running around a lot more by then, so that will be a different and fun type of change, but I think everyone needs an outlet of some sort, be it creative or just a fun hobby to escape to and release the pressure every now and then.

Expect a lot of updates with regards to Rockingham over the next month, and fingers crossed for some positive stuff in the near future 😉