Dot to Dot Festival

So the festival season has started, I'm slowly easing into it till the end of June and then its going to get a bit hectic. Dot to Dot is in its sixth year for the second year in a row has included Manchester. It was my first time shooting and I must say I was glad to see all three days and most of the bands along the way. If each city, Bristol on Saturday, Nottingham on Sunday and Manchester on Monday, came different venues a different crowd but all in all everyone was out to have a good time and see some great acts.
Here are my highlights....

DAY 1 BRISTOL

Hurts- I was looking to forward to seeing their life show as I only got a snippet of it at the NME awards this year and since getting the album I've been in two minds about it. But seeing them life proofed to me what a unique and wonderful act they are

SBTRKT - I haven't seen their whole set for about 2 years and only managed to get a snippet at Camden Crawl so it was great to finish the first night with them

Wolf Gang - Max and and boys put on a great show at the Thekla in the early afternoon

Fixers- I think these Oxford bands are going to be one of my bands of the summer.

Hyetal- The Bristol local got the evening going with his beats

DAY 2 NOTTINGHAM

The Naked and Famous - I had an absolute blast hanging with these guys over the 3 days as I was shooting an On the Road feature on them, so there's going to be more pics next week. They have a great life show and pulled a consistently huge crowd through the three days.

Braids - I saw these guys at SXSW so it great to see them in the UK

We Are Scientists - I've never seen these guys life and it was well worth it as just like a lot of people it took you back a few years to the mid naughties. Kids still love them though.

Yaaks - Were one of the buzz bands of the festival and I'm glad I caught in between blowing fuses and a bit of craziness on stage.

Swimming - Another buzz band worth keeping your hears on the radar for

Ed Sheeran- Crowds full of teenage girls, never the less the guy can sing

DAY 3 MANCHESTER

Cults - After the weekend I've seen these guys 5 times over this year and I can say that I think they're one of my highlights for the year so far

Dananananaykroyd - These lads from Glasgow put on a super energetic show.

Joy Formidable - It was my first time seeing them and I got to do it twice and loved it each time.

Darwin Deez - Always fun to watch to put you in a good mood

Phoenix Foundation - Another new discovery from the weekend to be added to my playlist.

The Money Shot ??

So over the weekend I got asked to try to take ' The Money Shot ' for the festival otherwise know as a photo that could be used for promo for next year but that sums up what Dot to Dot is as a festival. For those of you that don't know Dot to Dot is a travelling festival with almost the same line up going between Bristol, Nottingham and Manchester with shows focused around 8 local venues.

Here are my attempts.......

Camden Crawl 2011 - Odd Future and Celebral Ballzy

It was the first time I shot the Camden Crawl and i must say it was a great two days. I've heard mixed reviews from previous years but this year the sun came out, the music played and the lines won't bad. Amongst all the acts which played this year my stand outs were Celebral Ballzy who I wanted to catch for some time now and Odd Future, which I had mix opinions of but needed to see, due to all the stories I've heard. And a show they put on....I can describe it as anarchy with massive jumps into the crowd, total abuse of the security and getting the crowd to such as frenzy that they ended up getting through the security guards and jumping the stage. Here are the snaps.

Brother in NY

After SXSW I flew to New York to meet up with Brother and shoot an On the Road feature for 3 days. Those 3 days will go down in history for everyone involved. But after a long delay here are some photos you can also view some video's and read a recount both from Matt Wilkinson

Sam resting before their first NY show.

SXSW set list work on several occasions

After the fist show @ The Mercury Lounge

Katz's Deli for a the best pastrami and pickles

Lee flying

Pre show interview in Brooklyn

Rock Shop in Brooklyn

Ellie Goulding and Lee

Another morning after a heavy night

Full English Breakfast

NY Cab

Subway

Lunch in New Jersey and someones head hurts

New Jersey shore

Not a bad view past the Hudson

Maxwells in New Jersey

Someone's pulling strings

The great tradition of beer pong