Gigs 2009 Galleries

The Quireboys - JB's, Dudley, December 12, 2009 : The Quireboys celebrate 20 years of A Bit OF What You Fancy at JB's. Unfortunately the lighting was horrible.

The Quireboys - JB's, Dudley, December 12, 2009

Wolfsbane - JB's Dudley, December 12. 2009 : A superb one-hour set from the reformed Wolfsbane, supporting The Quireboys at JB's.

Wolfsbane - JB's Dudley, December 12. 2009

Alestorm - JB's Dudley, December 8, 2009 : Scottish pirate metallers Alestorm at JB's - a very entertaining show . . . just wish more had bothered to turn up.

Alestorm - JB's Dudley, December 8, 2009

The Rotted - JB's Dudley, December 8, 2009 : The Rotted supporting Alestorm at JB's in Dudley.

The Rotted - JB's Dudley, December 8, 2009

Eden's Curse - JB's Dudley, December 8, 2009 : Melodic heavy rockers Eden's Curse opening for Alestorm at JB's in Dudley. My kinda rock!

Eden's Curse - JB's Dudley, December 8, 2009

Alice Cooper - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, December 1, 2009 : Alice Cooper brings his awesome Theatre of Death Tour to Wolverhampton Civic Hall. What a treat for a gig photographer . . . and what a lot of gig photographers there were crowded down in the photo pit!

Alice Cooper - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, December 1, 2009

Man Raze - Wolverhampton Civic Hall, December 1, 2009 : Man Raze - Def Leppard's Phil Collen, the Sex Pistols' Paul Cook and Collen's ex-Girl pal Simon Laffy - supporting Alice Cooper at the Civc. Enjoyed them, but the lighting (just from straight above) was awful . . . improved dramatically for Alice though!

Man Raze - Wolverhampton Civic Hall, December 1, 2009

Joe Bonamassa - Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, November 30, 2009 : Joe Bonamassa on a seemingly never-ending tour, still promoting The Ballad Of John Henry album. Third time I've photographed him in 12 months and I'm not getting tired of him yet! Another great performance.

Joe Bonamassa - Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, November 30, 2009

Yes - Symphony Hall, Birmingham, November 16, 2006 : Yes, featuring Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Alan White, Rick's son Oliver and - controversially in the place of Jon Anderson - Benoit David.

Yes - Symphony Hall, Birmingham, November 16, 2006

Deep Purple - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, November 13, 2009 : Five years down the line and the 'Raptures tour' returns to Birmingham. Another stellar and classy performance from Gillan, Glover, Morse, Paice and Airey.

Deep Purple - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, November 13, 2009

Shinedown - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, November 10, 2009 : Shinedown bring The Sound Of Madness to Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. Great lighting at this gig, I'm absolutely delighted with some of these.

Shinedown - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, November 10, 2009

Gotthard - JB's, Dudley, November 2, 2009 : Gotthard return to JB's and put on a blinding show. But what is it with all the red lighting at JB's . . . a rock photographer's curse!

Gotthard - JB's, Dudley, November 2, 2009

Magnum - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Oct 31, 2009 : Magnum bring their Into The Valley Of The Moon King tour home to Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, on Halloween.

Magnum - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Oct 31, 2009

Liberty Lies - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Oct 31, 2009 : Black Country rockers Liberty Lies play at Wolverhampton's Wulfrun Hall for the first time, supporting Magnum. MANY MORE PIX TO FOLLOW!

Liberty Lies - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Oct 31, 2009

BoobAid charity concert, Barnsley - October 3, 2009 : Photos from BoobAid charity gig for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, held at the Klondyke Club, Royston, Barnsley and featuring Dante Fox, Tara's Secret, Hollywood Tease, Kinn and MissDemeanour. Visit http://www.boobaid.org and read my gig review here http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/reviews/live-rock-reviews/boobaid-october09

BoobAid charity concert, Barnsley - October 3, 2009

SevenDayz, The Queens, Stoke - September 5, 2009 : First few pix from gutsy melodic rockers SevenDays at The Queens Hotel in Stoke. Their debut album - recorded in the States - is due out any time and it should be a corker!

SevenDayz, The Queens, Stoke - September 5, 2009

Hollywood Tease - The Queens, Stoke, September 5, 2009 : Stoke sleaze rockers Hollywood Tease recreate the heyday of the Sunset Strip of the 80s while supporting SevenDayz.

Hollywood Tease - The Queens, Stoke, September 5, 2009

Thunder - Wolverhampton Civic Hall, July 10, 2009 : So it's farewell to Thunder (again). No tears at this one, just a two-hour celebration of a great band. Luke, Danny, Ben, Chris and Harry – you will be missed.

Thunder - Wolverhampton Civic Hall, July 10, 2009

Jon Anderson - Robin 2, Bilston, Wolverhampton - July 3, 2009 : Jon Anderson on the first night of the UK leg of his 'Have Guitar Will Travel' Tour. Great to have him back after his serious illness last year. The voice is still there . . .

Jon Anderson - Robin 2, Bilston, Wolverhampton - July 3, 2009

Jon Anderson on the first night of the UK leg of his 'Have Guitar Will ...

Updated: Jul 06, 2009 12:56pm PST

Skin - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 14, 2009 : One of THE highlights of Download 2009. All hail to 'Mr Download' Andy Copping, who put the wheels in motion for this magnificent reformation of long-lost melodic rockers Skin. This was simply brilliant, and you can see how much they enjoyed it.

Skin - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 14, 2009

Tesla - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 14, 2009 : Tesla on the main stage at Download Festival's 'classic rock Sunday'. Loads of people singing along and another band that looked like they were having a great time and not just going through the motions. This is possibly my favourite set of photos from the weekend . . . the band's enthusiasm is infectious.

Tesla - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 14, 2009

Stone Gods - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 14, 2009 : Cracking opening set on the main stage on Download's 'Classic Rock Sunday' from Stone Gods, who even introduced a new song, a dark, brooding thing called Going Under. A brave move . . . and we love 'em for it!

Stone Gods - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 14, 2009

Hostile - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 14, 2009 : Black Country heavy metal band Hostile on the Tuborg Stage at Donington. They were watched there by Judas Priest legend KK Downing, who has produced their debut album, Eve Of Destruction.

Hostile - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 14, 2009

The Answer - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 13, 2009 : A fabulous set from The Answer, fresh from their support slot with AC/DC.

The Answer - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 13, 2009

Anvil - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 13, 2009 : The heroes of the wonderful 'Anvil! The Story of Anvil' headline the Tuborg stage at Download. You've just got to love Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, what a guy!

Anvil - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 13, 2009

Thunder - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 13, 2009 : A festival farewell to Thunder at Download 2009. Shame they didn't make it on to the main stage - they will be sorely missed.

Thunder - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 13, 2009

Motley Crue - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 12, 2009 : A fans'-eye view of Motley Crue at Download . . . some bands just won't give you an up-close photo pass, except to the chosen few.

Motley Crue - Download Festival, Donington Park, June 12, 2009

Download Festival - The Fans, June 12-14, 2009 : Sometimes the fans are just as interesting to watch as the bands! Are you in here? These pix are (so far) only from Friday and Saturday, keep checking back for pix from Sunday.

Download Festival - The Fans, June 12-14, 2009

Glenn Hughes - The Robin 2, Bilston, June 7, 2009 : Glenn Hughes and band on the second night of their double-header at The Robin 2, in Bilston, Wolverhampton, where they played an evening exclusively of Trapeze songs. Also present was Annette Galley, the widow of Trapeze founder Mel Galley, who watched as Glenn played Mel's beloved 'Black Beauty' Gibson Les Paul. An amazing night.

Glenn Hughes - The Robin 2, Bilston, June 7, 2009

Glenn Hughes - Robin 2, Bilston, June 6, 2009 : First pix (more to follow) of Glenn Hughes and band on the first night of his double header at the Robin 2 in Bilston, Wolverhampton, where he played a set of solo, Deep Purple and Hughes Thrall songs. Shot the first couple of songs from the side of the stage (thanks Carl!).

Glenn Hughes - Robin 2, Bilston, June 6, 2009

Black Stone Cherry - JB's Dudley, June 2, 2009 : Stunning performance by rising stars Black Stone Cherry at JB's in Dudley. The place was packed to the rafters and steaming hot. All pix taken from the same spot as there just wasn't any chance to move around at the front. I tried a few 'experimental' shots too, particularly of drummer John Fred Young.

Black Stone Cherry - JB's Dudley, June 2, 2009

Heaven's Basement - JB's Dudley, June 2, 2009 : Didn't think we'd be seeing these guys so soon after the Little Civic gig, but here they are supporting Black Stone Cherry at JB's in Dudley and putting on a suitably storming set.

Heaven's Basement - JB's Dudley, June 2, 2009

Z Rock 2009 - JB's, Dudley, May 30, 3009 (Day 2) : Pix from Day Two of Z Rock 2009 - melodic rock festival featuring John Waite, Ted Poley, Von Groove, Dan Reed, Eden and Newman. Announcement at the gig that Z Rock 2010 will feature The Storm with Kevin Chalfant, China Blue and (woo hoo!) Steve Augeri.

Z Rock 2009 - JB's, Dudley, May 30, 3009 (Day 2)

Pix from Day Two of Z Rock 2009 - melodic rock festival featuring John ...

Updated: Jun 08, 2009 3:01pm PST

Bob Catley & Vinny Burns - Civic Bar, Wolverhampton, May 23, 2009 : Magnum frontman Bob Catley goes solo and acoustic with the help of ex-Ten and Dare guitarist Vinny Burns.

Bob Catley & Vinny Burns - Civic Bar, Wolverhampton, May 23, 2009

Lost Weekend (acoustic) - Civic Bar, Wolverhampton, May 23, 2009 : Dave Thompson and Paul Uttley of Lost Weekend perform an acoustic set, supporting Bob Catley at the Civic Bar in Wolverhampton.

Lost Weekend (acoustic) - Civic Bar, Wolverhampton, May 23, 2009

Heaven's Basement - Little Civic, Wolverhampton, May 14, 2009 : The quite wonderful Heaven's Basement at the Little Civic, Wolverhampton. These guys should be HUGE! Somebody sign them please . . .

Heaven's Basement - Little Civic, Wolverhampton, May 14, 2009

Liberty Lies - Little Civic, Wolverhampton, May 14, 2009 : Liberty Lies supporting Heaven's Basement at the Little Civic, Wolverhampton, May 14, 2009

Liberty Lies - Little Civic, Wolverhampton, May 14, 2009

Saxon - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, May 5, 2009 : Saxon on their Battalions Of Steel II tour at the Wulfrun in Wolverhampton. Thirty years on and still rockin'!

Saxon - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, May 5, 2009

Saxon on their Battalions Of Steel II tour at the Wulfrun in Wolverham ...

Updated: May 12, 2009 12:00am PST

Doro - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, May 5, 2009 : German rock priestess Doro Pesch and her band supporting Saxon. She never keeps still . . . I'm going to have to get a faster lens!

Doro - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, May 5, 2009

Joe Bonamassa - Royal Albert Hall, London, May 4, 2009 : Joe Bonamassa playing the gig of his life at the Royal Albert Hall in London and photographed for Blues Matters magazine. I wanted to try to capture the unique environment of this venue for Joe . . . hope I've come close. (P.S. You can see me taking pix on the Live At The Royal Albert Hall DVD!)

Joe Bonamassa - Royal Albert Hall, London, May 4, 2009

AC/DC - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, April 23, 2009 : Angus, Brian and the boys roll into Birmingham on the Black Ice word tour. Utterly brilliant. Gig of the year . . . so far.

AC/DC - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, April 23, 2009

Ultravox - Symphony Hall, Birmingham, April 17, 2009 : Ultravox 'Return to Eden' reunion tour 2009 calls at the beautiful Birmingham Symphony Hall.

Ultravox - Symphony Hall, Birmingham, April 17, 2009

Ultravox 'Return to Eden' reunion tour 2009 calls at the beautiful Bir ...

Updated: Apr 30, 2009 9:30am PST

Metallica - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, March 25, 2009 : The mighty Metallica at the LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, March 25, 2009, on their World Magnetic tour.

Metallica - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, March 25, 2009

Machine Head - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, March 25, 2009 : Machine Head supporting Metallica at the NEC in Birmingham.

Machine Head - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, March 25, 2009

Machine Head supporting Metallica at the NEC in Birmingham.

Updated: Apr 05, 2009 2:42am PST

The Sword - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, March 25, 2009 : The Sword supporting Metallica at the NEC in Birmingham on March 25, 2009.

The Sword - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, March 25, 2009

The Sword supporting Metallica at the NEC in Birmingham on March 25, 2 ...

Updated: Apr 05, 2009 7:31am PST

Hot Leg - Birmingham O2 Academy - March 9, 2009 : Justin Hawkins' new band Hot Leg kicking up a storm in Birmingham, Great gig great.

Hot Leg - Birmingham O2 Academy - March 9, 2009

Justin Hawkins' new band Hot Leg kicking up a storm in Birmingham, Gre ...

Updated: Apr 06, 2009 11:05am PST

The Crave - Birmingham O2 Academy - March 9, 2009 : The Crave supporting Hot Leg at Birmingham 02 Academy.

The Crave - Birmingham O2 Academy - March 9, 2009

The Crave supporting Hot Leg at Birmingham 02 Academy.

Updated: Mar 15, 2009 3:03am PST

Paul Carrack - Robin 2, Bilston, Feb 28, 2009 : Paul Carrack (Mike and the Mechanics, Squeeze, Ace, Roxy Music) in concert at the Robin 2, Bilston, Wolverhampton. Completely packed-out gig and no photo pit so I couldn't get a decent position to shoot, consequently a pretty sparse set of pix. Great gig through!

Paul Carrack - Robin 2, Bilston, Feb 28, 2009

Paul Carrack (Mike and the Mechanics, Squeeze, Ace, Roxy Music) in con ...

Updated: Mar 01, 2009 12:15pm PST

Aynsley Lister Band - Lichfield Guildhall, Feb 20, 2009 : Blues rock guitarist-singer Aynsley Lister and his band, promoting his new and rather fine album Equilibrium in the somewhat grand surroundings of Lichfield Guildhall.

Aynsley Lister Band - Lichfield Guildhall, Feb 20, 2009

Blues rock guitarist-singer Aynsley Lister and his band, promoting his ...

Updated: Feb 23, 2009 11:13pm PST

Judas Priest - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, February 14, 2009 : First pix from Judas Priest's 'Priest Feast' at the LG Arena, Birmingham NEC.

Judas Priest - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, February 14, 2009

Megadeth - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, Feb 14, 2009 : Megadeth supporting Judas Priest on the Priest Feast tour, 2009

Megadeth - LG Arena, Birmingham NEC, Feb 14, 2009

Megadeth supporting Judas Priest on the Priest Feast tour, 2009

Updated: Feb 26, 2009 6:55am PST

Tyketto - JB's, Dudley, Jan 22, 2009 : Tyketto, featuring Danny Vaughn, at JB's, Dudley

Tyketto - JB's, Dudley, Jan 22, 2009

Tyketto, featuring Danny Vaughn, at JB's, Dudley

Updated: Feb 05, 2009 6:50am PST

Eden - JB's, Jan 22, 2009 : Eden supporting Tyketto at JB's, Dudley

Eden - JB's, Jan 22, 2009

Eden supporting Tyketto at JB's, Dudley

Updated: Feb 05, 2009 8:40am PST

Eagles - NIA, Birmingham, July 7, 2009 : The Eagles on their Long Road Out Of Eden Tour at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham. Probably the toughest shoot I've done yet. There were three photographers present, all shooting from the mixing desk about 2/3 of the way back. That's a hell of a long way, even with a 300mm lens and monopod, so although these aren't perfect I'm pretty happy with them in the circumstances. Some of these photos were used with my Express & Star concert review - http://www.expressandstar.com/2009/07/08/40-years-on-eagles-still-deliver/

Eagles - NIA, Birmingham, July 7, 2009