musopantz

Summadayze 2010 @ Esplanade & Supreme Court Gardens

Anthony — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:37:37 +0000

As I continually attempt to blog at least once a week, I now present to you the first festival of the new year... Summadayze! After taking a two-and-a-half week off taking photos - the previous show was Animal Collective at Club Capitol, an incredibly dark show because their lighting system had screwed up - it was time to get back into it for 2010. What better way to start by shooting a lively dance festival along the foreshore.

The Presets are playing on-stage... somewhere Spanning both the Supreme Court Gardens and The Esplanade reserves along Riverside Drive, Summadayze has grown to be a huge dance festival and the first lively event to kick you in the pants after New Years. I'm not sure how traffic manages when they have to close off Barrack St. to join the two parks, but I must say it's a huge trek to get from one side to the other!

Infected Mushroom - blinded by the lights of the crowd After a crazy day of DJs, it was refreshing to see a few live bands in the mix. Absolute highlight of my night was Israeli electronic group Infected Mushroom who, coupled with the roaring of the crowd, put on a performance that completely blew me away. Guitarist Erez Netz (pictured) rips it up on the guitars while Amit Duvdevani shouts and incites the crowd with great raucous!

Kim from The Presets & Jo from Technotronic

Remember "Pump Up The Jam"? Technotronic are back! Well... not really. There were many punters keen to relive their "early-90s popular house" days and for about 30 minutes they did. That's how long Technotronic's set was, spanning a whole four songs including the aforementioned plus "Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over)" and two other songs that I'm sure were from their first album. The Presets put on an 'alright' show, but their evening slot just showed that the full Presets experience needed some trippy lighting.

It was a great way to start the year. I took it easy and wandered around soaking it in. I'd like to think that the photos from Summadayze really shows what I'm capable of. There are immediate favourite photos of the year from this set, especially the photo of the festival rides. Check out the rest of the Summadayze photos in my Flickr photostream.

My first BIG photography job - Southbound 2010

Anthony — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:23:40 +0000

Camping grounds @ Southbound I guess all that work will finally pay off! Before the Christmas break last year, I was approached by Sunset Events to be their official photographer for the Southbound Festival down in Busselton. My mate Daniel Wilkins, who normally does Sunset Events’ festival photos wasn’t going to be available for Southbound. I’d [...]

Retrospective - 2009

Anthony — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:56:56 +0000

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to blog more. I want to get back in touch with my writing. In the meantime, enjoy this slideshow of the best photos from 2009.

Friendly Fires @ Amplifier Bar, Perth

Anthony — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:38:24 +0000

Gig Date: Friday 24th July, 2009

The very first date on their Australian tour, UK electro band Friendly Fires played right here in Perth at the Amplifier Bar. It was their first stop before heading straight to Byron Bay for the Splendour In The Grass festival over the weekend. Though they had only an hour set performing, all their songs pumped up the crowd into some steamy dancing times.

Remind me to never go to the latest and greatest bands kids are into these days! Knowing that this was a sold-out show, myself and Courtney held our spots in the front row waiting for Friendly Fires to come on. I suddenly felt so very old being surrounded by kids freshly turned 18. It was freakin' me out! I'm too old for this! That doesn't stop the photos looking swish though!

Plenty more photos on my Flickr photostream, so check them out!

Also, pick up a copy of Drum Media Perth this Thursday for the full review.

Yves Klein Blue @ City Beach Surf Shop, Perth

Anthony — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:39:38 +0000

Gig date: Saturday 18th July, 2009

Brisbane indie-rockers Yves Klein Blue popped into the City Beach Surf Shop in the Perth CBD for a quick in-store gig. They were going to play that night at the Amplifier Bar too. I'm not sure of the history of the surf shop doing in-stores, but I'd really like to find out more about them! My sister tells me that the store usually has a DJ where the band played, though I didn't know that until I arrived. The lenses I had brought weren't enough to get some closeup shots.

Thanks to my tardiness, I got there 10 minutes late and they had only played a 20-minute set. That's alright though. I was surprised at the acoustics in the shop though there weren't many shoppers who took notice of the performance. The building was formerly a part of the old Commonwealth Bank until they sub-divided the floor space. I don't remember when that was done, but I do remember how it was before!

Here we have lead singer Michael Tomlinson spotting me travelling down an escalator. Funnily enough, he spotted me later that night at Amplifier Bar bopping away to their pop-rock tunes. Thanks mate!

I didn't get a lot of shots though- staff were a bit dumbfounded when I rocked up to take photos. One shop assistant came up to me and asked me to stop taking photos. Fair enough, I was in a private space and clothing stores are privy to "knockoff artists" who copy clothing and logo designs from well-known brands. I guess I should have asked before I took photos.

I was with my friend Courtney while she took photos of Yves Klein Blue that night at the Amplifier Bar. Her photos should be up pretty soon on her Flickr photostream and Fasterlouder. Keep a look out for them!

Xanadu Rollerdisco @ Morley Rollerdrome

Anthony — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:13:20 +0000

Tomas Ford... uh... straddles another photographer to a whimsical backdrop.

Gig date: Saturday 5th July, 2009

When was the last time you went rollerskating? I didn't go to the Morley Rollerdrome often enough to remember what the place looked like, even though I live down the road from it. It would have been almost 20 years since I wore skates and there was a time I rollerbladded too- the blades are still in my closet!

Nevertheless, when I had heard about these monthly events at the Rollerdrome hosted by the Perth Roller Derby, I had to go check it out! The feeling of nostalgia and the chance to take photos for a "different" kind of event really urged me to get out there. The most recent event was the Xanadu Rollerdisco, complete with disco balls and rainbow-coloured lights as people, young and old, skated around the rink.

Gennaia Febbraio from Brash & Sassy zooms around the rink!

I haven't been taking photos much lately for a number of reasons. Firstly, it's Winter and that means the cold is making me lazy. Also, a lot of bands don't seem to turn up until midway through Winter for the Splendour In The Grass festival over in Byron Bay, NSW. Well, that's not necessarily true since there is always something happening each weekend. Secondly, I've wanted something as "different" as this event to keep my photography fresh and exciting. Bands are "kinda" getting boring to shoot, unless it's a band I really want to see. The Rollerdisco night was perfect to try some new techniques and to challenge myself.

Surprisingly enough, there was a pretty decent turnout. Not bad for only the third time this kind of event has been organised. Everyone seemed to have fun with live entertainment as people wobbled around trying to keep balance. Did I skate? Of course! I was so eager to get back into it that I had to confidence to skate and take photos AT THE SAME TIME. But no, I didn't. It was too risky! So, when I got the chance, I put my camera gear away and wobbled around on the rink myself.

Those who frequent the local music scene will definitely be familiar with Tomas Ford and his on-stage antics. He's just the performer we need to sexy things up with the crowd. I liken him to Perth's own version of Dan Deacon, with his electronic setup and nutty crowd interaction. A bit of a shame that most were busy skating to really be "touched" by his performance, but his character is so "out there" that it's always fun to be a part of. Just look at the top photo and see how much FUN they're having!

I look forward to more of these nights. Hopefully bring some friends and just have a gay old time. You know, in that retro kind-of way.

Check out the full gallery of photos at the FasterLouder gallery or a few more snaps on my Flickr photostream.

Karnivool @ Metropolis, Fremantle

Anthony — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:27:05 +0000

Gig date: Saturday 4th July, 2009

I don't have much to say about Karnivool, except that their music is TRANSCENDENT. These local Perth boys fronted by Ian "The Voice" Kenny totally rip it up at the Metropolis Concert Club in Fremantle (I've just noticed... does anyone call it a concert club? Anyway...)

I'd like to think that Karnivool is the better of the two Ian Kenny bands. I mean, it came first before Birds Of Tokyo. And besides, the sounds are so much more ethereal and pounding than the "hard" pop-rock of the latter band. I could probably go on about how samey all of Birds' songs are, but I'll forgive them whenever I hear Shutterspeed, Roquefort, or Themata.

Speaking of Themata, don't ask me why I'm bringing this up... I remember this one Australian Idol series (uh oh) when it was the very first of the "Final 12" shows on the grand stage. The first Idol was from Perth and there was no theme, just a personal choice for the song. She chose Karnivool's Themata and ultimately got panned for it because no one knew what the song was. Marcia, Marcia, Marcia... why would you put her down for such a lame excuse? It was a solid performance but in the end, she was the first to be booted off the stage.

There are a couple more photos on my Flickr photostream, so check them out.

Pick up Drum Media Perth next Thursday for a full review too!

The Basics @ ARTBAR, Art Gallery of Western Australia

Anthony — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:05:31 +0000

ARTBAR - the very first in a new series of events held after-hours at the Art Gallery of Western Australia for the Winter season, with Melbourne indie-pop band The Basics opening the sold-out show! I quite like the idea of having a concert inside an art gallery... it makes sense, doesn't it?

Ever since the announcement of the ARTBAR series, I had always wondered how it was going to be set up. When I arrived, the stage was set up in the lobby of the Art Gallery with one gallery space open for the featured exhibition THING beware the material world. Everyone had a clear view of the stage with plenty of space to watch upstairs too. It did sound a bit echoey though, due to the layout of the lobby and there cuold have been better lighting on the stage, but overall it was a pleasant experience and a charming crowd. Nice and early too with a 9:30pm close time.

I guess you can't have a The Basics show without seeing Gotye aka Wally de Backer singing and on the drums, so here's a special treat for ya.

I really look forward to the rest of the ARTBAR series. Next month is comedian Wil Anderson performing a one-night-only show. SOLD OUT, Damn it! And the following two months is Tim Rogers and Katie Noonan.

There are a couple more photos on my Flickr photostream, so check them out.

Pick up Drum Media Perth next Thursday for a full review too!

Before and After @ V Festival 2009, Melbourne

Anthony — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:09:46 +0000

Before...

... After!

Vanilla Ice @ V Festival 2009 - Sydney, Gold Coast and Melbourne

Anthony — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:29:26 +0000

Vanilla Ice loves to lounge about. This post is a part of a series: V Festival 2009 Australian Tour. Plenty of photos of all the bands from all the shows! If you asked anyone in Sydney or Melbourne what their highlight was at the V Festival, you might be blown away by the numerous "OMG! Vanilla Ice!!!" responses. Sure The Killers has a great stage setup and presence. Sure Kaiser Chiefs went absolutely mental climbing and jumping all over things. But Vanilla Ice was where it was at, yo! I remember reading the morning after (more like 4am at the airport lounge, waiting for the flight home to Perth!), reading The Age Newspaper on how Vanilla Ice stole the show.

His show at the Melbourne Showgrounds was totally packed.

Vanilla Ice was originally scheduled to perform only at the Sydney V Festival. He flew down to the Gold Coast V Festival to chill and mingle with lucky punters in the Virgin Mobile Louder Lounge. The Virgin Mobile Angels told me that he was going to visit the Sydney and Melbourne offices during the week too. And then he loved Australia so much that last minute changes had to be made for another show in Melbourne!

Vanilla Ice and the Virgin Mobile Angels at the Gold Coast

Virgin Mobile had brought Vanilla Ice down on a campaign to Right Music Wrongs, where you decided if he was innocent or guilty for all the bad things about music. You decided that he was Innocent, and so he performed "Ice Ice Baby" and "Ninja Rap (Go Ninja, Go Ninja, Go!)" for all you adoring fans. If he was proven Guilty, then he'd have to publicly apologise... and then possibly sing his songs anyway!

Ice Ice Baby... too cold to hold!

I must also admit that Vanilla Ice was definitely one of my highlights of the entire V Festival circuit. I did spend a lot of time for him - the performances, the media calls, backstage... and, of course, the fan photo! He really really loves his fans. At the Sydney V Festival, his manager kept asking him to move along out of the Louder Lounge, but being the nice guy he is, Vanilla Ice made sure all of his fans got a photo with him. I guess there's one reason why he loves Australia!

Yeah man. Ice is the master of MySpace photos. Let's kick it.

Let's get this party started... kickin' it old school.

There are a bazillion more photos in my Flickr photoset of Vanilla Ice from around Australia. Check them out!