St Patricks Day at The Boogaloo

My mate (former world champion boxer), Barry McGuigan and his band played a great gig at the Boogaloo. It was osld out and a great night. Barry was on great form. He had two guitarists with him who were very very good.. We had hoped that Pete Doherty was going to grace us with his presence and sing a duet of "Danny Boy" with Barry. But Peter had just had a tooth out in th afternoon and wasnt feeling that well. He stayed at home wrapped in a duvet.. Ahh sweet eh! Hope he feels better soon.

Jethro Tull are back in London

I was trying to figure out when I last photographed them, It must have been around 1979 ish. Tonight's gig in London is at Shepherds Bush Empire, only a mile or so from the Carling Apollo, Hammersmith. This is where I did photograph them last all that time ago 27 odd years ago. So, got here today very early. I was told that they were going on stage at 8pm sharp, with no support. It was kind of strange to see them again. Mind you they did sound rather good and very professional.

Copyright 2006 Danny Clifford.

All rights reserved.

We, the photographers were all put up in the circle to shoot the show. We were on the balcony. Mind you, I don't think I would like to have photographers shooting me from under my chin, so why should they. Anyway, got some very nice shots of them. Well, actually only really Ian Anderson, as he was the only one properly lit. One of the three songs that I photographed was, Living in the Past. It was bloody fantastic.. I must by that CD again with that on. I do have it on vinyl and fancy having again.

Mystery Jets in London

I must admit, I dont know much about the Mystery Jets. Anyway, I arrived at the Mean Fiddler on Charring Cross Road in London's West End. The band were going on at 9:15 ish. So, go there at 9 parked my car and headed over to the and made my way downstairs in to the Mean Fiddler. I made my way into the photo pit. There were about 6 or 7 other photographers in the pit when the band came on.. They seemed quite good. The crowd seemed to love them. Mind you it was packed as well. I would like to hear some more of there music. Martin & Sara from The Favours were in the audience and they sent me a text telling me they could see me. They are a brilliant (now 3 peice) band, well worth checking out. I think they are going to be huge... So, after the gig I headed off home to edit the shots.

The Who Press Conference

Well, here we go. The big guns are out, the mighty WHO are going back on the road. In fact they are to do their first ever world tour. They have never ever really done this before. It should be fantastic.. So, I arrived at the Hard Rock Cafe in Central London for a press call with Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend.

Copyright 2006 Danny Clifford

All rights reserved

Adam Ficek, drummer with Babyshambles came along to meet with The Who, which didnt happen as it was all a bit too busy. Anyway, it was very nice to see Robert Rosenberg & Bill Curbishly (Ooooh Management) and did some quick shots of Roger and Pete. After that, had a complimentary luch at the Hard Rock Cafe and headed off to East London. I must say, it is a very exciting thought that The Who are back at it again. I cant wait.

Delays

This was a pleasant change.. 'You can shoot the whole show, but no flash' That is what we photographers were told when we arrived at Shepherds Bush Empire, London to shoot the Delays. Well, one could deduce from that comment that the fact that you cannot use flash that the lighting should be great.. Well NO. It was bloody awfull. There must have been about 15 photographers in the pit and after the 3rd or 4th song I looked around and saw that I was the only photographer who wasnt using a flash. The lighting was horrible. I seem tobe moaning more and more about this.. Bloody lighting. Oh well.. Anyway, the few shots I got were okay, but I didnt stay and shgoot the whole show. It was tourture with no lights..

Jack Johnson

This is the man of the moment. I hear, he is a surfer from Hawaii. Now living in Santa Barbara, California. So, I will look out for him in Starbucks on Main Street in Santa Barbara. I have been listnening to his music for a while now and really love it. I think it has been refered to as BBQ Music.. That kind oif gives you an idea of what its about if you havent heard hm. I photgraphed him a week or so ago at the BRITS where he won an award. So, here he is tonight at the Carling Appollo, Hammersmith, London. He sounded great and guess what, the lighting was very nice.. Yipeeee. So, happy at last. Mind you, I still have bird flu, but happy with my shots tonight.