Goldenplec is home of some of the best live photographers online. Nearly every night our team of photographers are walking the trenches in front of the stage for the first 3 songs of acts performing around the country. Some of the photographer have produced sensational shots, that’s just our opinion, hopefully it’s yours too. We have asked them to pick their favourite photo from the year, and give us a short note on why.
This has been a landmark year for our photography team. I hope you enjoy the photos as much as we have.
The Commitments @ The O2 – Abraham Tarrush
The Commitments @ The O2 by Abraham Tarrush
The long-awaited return of The Commitments, one of Dublin’s most celebrated bands, had me bursting with excitement and the delivery failed to disappoint! A great mix of old and new, it was a show not to be missed, and I’m so glad I didn’t.
Enter Shikari @ The Academy by Sean Conroy
Enter Shikari @ The Academy by Sean Conroy
There’s nothing worse as a photographer than turning up to a gig to find a band stuck behind microphones, moving as little as possible on stage and trying their best to look uninterested. Sadly, it’s a routine far too common with bands these days. To that end, Enter Shikari should be prescribed for rock photographers feeling the blues. Leaping into the crowd before the first song begins, dangling from the balconies and generally freaking out on stage (Not to mention their personal, NASA inspired lighting rig), Enter Shikari were by far the photographic highlight of the year.
Jessie J at the Academy by Sean Smyth
I’ve only been shooting music for a little over a year now and when I was in the Academy to photograph Jessie J, that’s where I got my best “set” of photos at a gig. Jessie J was very expressive. I honestly didn’t know what to expect from her before shooting but she completely played to the camera, making my job that bit easier. Early on in the set, her song had the word “crazy” in it and this is the photo that corresponds to that moment.
Like most quirky things at gigs, she only did it for a split second so I’m lucky to have caught it. I think it’s one of my best because it’s more than just a “gig photo” to me. It’s got her personality and her charm there too which is sometimes a challenge to capture during the brief window that photographers get at gigs.
Stereophonics @ James’ Gate by Kieran Frost
The Sterophonics @ James's Gate by Kieran Frost
Arthur’s Day is an odd one. Music Photographers are usually given 3 songs to photograph, but because I was sharing the pit with TV camera crews, we were restricted to one song of each act in James’ Gate. On top of that, I had to run back into town as soon as I was finished with the headliners, Stereophonics, to catch the Scissor Sisters. So, the ‘phonics were wrapping up their last song, I was shooting with a telephoto lens to get close-ups, and was backing out of the pit as Kelly Jones walked to the front of the stage, I switched to my other camera with a wide lens, and got this. We rarely admit it, but a lot of the best live photos are accidents (usually we don’t have time to constantly check our settings), and this is a great example, it’s perfectly composed (I didn’t see the drummer until I edited the photos), and easily my best photo from the night.
Bressie @ Dolans by Owen Humphreys
Bressie @ Dolans by Owen Humphreys
I took this photo while driving the support band around on Bressie’s Irish tour. Good times.
Glasvegas by Alessio Michelini
Glasvegas by Alessio Michelini
30 Seconds to Mars @ Belsonic by Aidan McCarthy
30 Seconds to Mars at Custom House Square by Aidan McCarthy
Shannon Leto, older brother of 30 Seconds to Mars lead singer and frontman Jared Leto, plays a spectacular solo drum set during the 30STM concert in Belfast earlier this year. The fury of lights, focused solely on Shannon, was matched only by his superlative drumming skills which sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Wu-Tan Clan in Tripod by Yan Bourke
Wu-Tan Clan in Tripod by Yan Bourke
I took better photos this year – at this gig, even – but this Wu-Tang Clan shot is my favourite of the year. Ghostface Killah noticed me in the pit and posed for me, which was the first time that’s happened for me. I had no time to check my camera settings or change lenses, I just held down the shutter button and hoped for the best. It could have come out better, but it’ll always be a favourite photo of mine for that. Also, OK, it’s not what he actually meant, but I can totally claim that Ghostface Killah flipped me off now.
Red Neck Manifesto at Whelans by Alan Moore
Redneck Manifesto at Whelans by Alan Moore
It was The Rednecks Pre Japan Tour Gig. The crowd had been more than receptive the whole night. However, Richie still waits behind the neck of his guitar anticipating the crowds reaction to the end of the last song.
Royseven at Sea Sessions by Paul Dowd
Royseven at Sea Sessions by Paul Dowd
My favorite image of the year because it was basically the start of a wonderful year for me, meeting new people within the music industry: Photographers,PR people etc. It also was my first time shooting under a pass successfully obtained by myself. Mixing my two passions, music and photography together, I still have a long way to go but I’m with a great group now and believe with support behind me I can do well for hopefully the next year ahead.
Queens of the Stone Age @ The Olympia by Natalie Byrne
Queens of the Stone Age @ The Olympia by Natalie Byrne
Josh Homme was quoted as saying it was the best show of their tour, true or not, Queens of the Stone Age at the Olympia has to be my Number 1 gig of 2011. Despite my best efforts, I failed to get tickets for the show which sold out in ridiculous time. Needless to say, I was pinching myself when I found myself not only in the Olympia on the night but right up front, in the pit with my camera & photo pass (cleared late that afternoon). To me, this is one of my favourite photos as it reminds me of the absolutely electric atmosphere & energy in the Olympia that night.
Imelda May @ The O2 by Ian Keegan
This was one of my favourite gigs of 2011, plain and simple. Imelda May is a musician who’s style alone goes unchallenged and thats before we even bring up her jaw dropping vocal ability. No other artist has come even close in succeeding to bringing old school rockabilly beats to the mainstream market. I’ve missed her perform twice over the past 2 years, I sure as hell wasn’t gonna let that happen a third time! Knew she’ d put on a cracker of a show. This was one of my favourite photos from the gig.