Be Your Own Pet & Arctic Monkeys @ 930 Club
I was a little disappointed last night when I got to the venue and my Arctic Monkeys photo pass said "Support Only." Disappointed, but not surprised. I'd heard that the Monkeys were a bit protective about photos at their shows (as is their right). Oh well. At least I got to take photos of Be Your Own Pet. I saw the Nashville foursome open for Sonic Youth last year and walked away impressed. They were just as good last night. All of their songs sound the same to me, the thump-thump-thump-thump of the bass drum propelling the rest of the group to go crazy on stage while they plow their way through song after song. But their energy and enthusiasm is infectious and a joy to behold. I love watching them perform, they're the perfect opening band. You definitely have to bring your A game on-stage to follow them.
As for the headliners, they did just that, and while I enjoyed the show, I wasn't blown away. First, the positives: They played just about every song from their first two albums - something like 19 in total - opening with current single "Brianstorm (I love it when bands play the hits early in their set). They are super tight on stage and have talent way beyond their years. "Teddypicker" sounded wonderful. Alex Turner reminds me of a young Paul Weller with a bit of Richard Ashcroft's cheekbones thrown in.
Unfortunately, some of their positives also worked against them. After the first half hour, a lot of the songs started to sound the same, which is why I like Favourite Worst Nightmare much more than their debut. Songs like "Do Me A Favor," "If You Were There, Beware" and "Old Yellow Bricks" show nuance and subtleties nowhere to be found on their debut, and those songs go a long way in breaking up the repetitive monster mash of big bass lines and noodley surf-guitar heroics that beat you over the head for the majority of the show. Oh, and they didn't play "505." Jerks.
As I said earlier, I enjoyed the show, but much like the few times I've seen Bloc Party live, the Monkeys just left me cold. Concert nirvana ™ was not reached. I guess the overwhelming hype is clouding my view a bit, but I have no idea why the kids are going batshit crazy about a band that sings about "tracky bottoms tucked in socks." But then again, 10 years ago I went ga-ga over a bunch of geezers from Manchester singing "I know a girl called Elsa / She's into Alka Seltzer," so who am I to talk?
Those are great pictures! Where were you when you took those? Did you really go upstage?
Anyway, I’d like to congratulate you for taking perfect shots in a dimly lighted place. You have captured the perfect angle and in a way you’re already on your way to becoming a pro. I can’t imagine you busy with picture taking while the rest of your group is having fun.
The actually had a photo pit at that show, so I was down there taking photos. Thanks for the kind words.
As far as me being busy while everyone else is having fun, that's basically how it works. Ms. Smith gets the worse of it. I'm lucky because she's such a great sport.
You weren't missing much not shooting Arctic Monkeys. They make you sign a waiver and you can only use the photos once for one publication...not only that but they're boring as hell to shoot. Be Your Own Pet was a million times more fun, so you should actually consider yourself lucky! ;)