This was the first view of Manhattan from where we picked up our passes and tickets.
This is the editing/press tent provided for us. They didn’t even have any power, chair or tables for the first hour, so we all stood around texting.
Here is Vanessa and Kate’s crafty editing-in-the-sun trick. The weather fluctuated from freezing sweater weather to burning sun. It really only rained for a little bit, which moved the studio equipment under a bus (the VIP tent was declared unsafe at about 3pm and we were not allowed to store it in there!!)
This is the main stage (Blue Comet) in the middle of the day when my new found ‘friends’ the new pornographers were onstage. Carl Newman was really nice when I strolled up to him and asked “Hey, are you in a band?” He said that he also never knows anyone at festivals and happily had a few shots taken at our makeshift outdoor studio.
Here is the first band I wrangled (apparently an industry term for someone who sweet talks the talent into these studio situations) called Lowry. They were pretty quiet and very compliant, so were essentially an easy group to cut my teeth on. Scott Gries was the photographer, and is quickly raising the ranks of one of the nicest ‘entertainment’ photographers I know. To see his portraits from today go here.
Possibly the only good idea I will have all weekend is this makeshift tree support for the light that wanted to take a dive toward the statue of liberty when using only sandbags.
This is one of Scott’s test shots where I don’t look too cross-eyed or confused.
Thankfully Underworld kept the whole event in place and made the required political rant (they were incredible live too!!!). They brought on someone from Columbia University (apparently not Robert Thurman) who ranted about a Free Tibet. Mostly an encouraging speech, but sometimes a little lost and certainly not really worthy of 10 minutes of stage time. This photo is of the recent release that they were promoting and raises funds for the cause. Apparently each song is individually written for the project and not just part of a compilation. Buy one now (also available on itunes - of course!)
And here is my terrible photo of Radiohead performing. They absolutely fucking rocked. I was so happy to get to hear them again (last time was Bonnaroo 2006). Thom Yorke followed Underowld and had a Tibetan flag on his piano and he also played his arse off! They are amazing live and they knew it this concert, playing all the hits regardless of how old they were. The only downside of radiohead is that they don’t allow many photographers in the pit so most of our guys were hiding from security in the audience. We got some amazing images nonetheless, and I am even angling for one of the Thom/piano shots for the blog.
joe | 15-Aug-08 at 7:54 am | Permalink
Underworld and Raidiohead were great. This was my first Raidohead concert and I never realized how pushy and obnoxious Radiohead fans are. I’ve never been to a concert were I’ve been pushed, shoved and threatened as this show. I’m glad no one payed too much attention to that idiot, Robert Thurman, screaming about Tibet. The free-Tibet campaign is so full of misinformation. Skeptoid did an episode (#111) about Tibet that puts some facts and common sense into the issue. People should listen to it.
http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4111
admin | 15-Aug-08 at 8:10 am | Permalink
Hmmm, thanks Joe. I would probably advise you to read some of Robert Thurman’s books. That article you linked was raising some valid points that many tibet activists ignore. Does that excuse the actions of the Chinese? With current statements from HH the Dalai Lama and the structure of the democratic government-in-exile, is China still right to withhold Tibet? I would read older posts, to realize that this is the wrong blog to add pro-Chinese occupation links!