STAR STRUCK

Jake Bugg at Westland Leisure Complex, Yeovil on Feb 23rd 2013

Jake Bugg at Westland Leisure Complex, Yeovil on Feb 23rd 2013

One of the perks of a being a photographer is that I get the chance to photograph rock bands, folk bands, indie bands, singers and even opera stars. Not only that but I don’t have to queue or wait for hours , I get escorted to the front of the stage, or the pit as it is affectionately known, about ten minutes before a gig erupts into life Now you would think that fans who’ve waited hours would show contempt at someone pushing to the front, but no, the seasoned gig goer knows that photographers in the pit are a sure sign the concert they crave for is about to start, there hero will appear.

The first concert I ever photographed was at Glastonbury in 1990. I received a call from a news agency to drive to Pilton, blag, yes blag my way in and photograph Sinaed O’conner who was on the pyramid stage. It was a lot different then and I drove through two checkpoints, through the site and parked alongside the main stage.

Within the hour I was in the pit of the most famous stage on the planet with 15 other photographers. It was blistering hot and there were tens of thousands of fans behind me and the beautiful Sinaed in front of me. The pictures I took that day made a half-page in the Sunday Times. It was a huge adrenalin rush, something that only music and the arts can provide.

On Saturday I joined 2000 like-minded souls to see Brit Award nominee Jake Bugg at Westland Leisure Centre. The venue was smaller and the crowds certainly were but the concert was electric, the boy can sing.

The downside of being in such a privileged position was that a photographer is only allowed to be pitside for three songs only then you have to leave immediately or face the wrath of the security guards.

I have three songs or nine minutes to shoot everything I need, wide shots, portraits, crowd and most of important of all the money shot. The photograph that makes you happy when you walk away, like the silhouetted picture of Jake I captured on Saturday.

Fans watch their idol Jake Bugg , Yeovil on Feb 23rd 2013