Magnum - The Robin2 5th December 2014

After a long wait, the time finally arrived, a sold out Magnum show at the 700 capacity Robin2.

What a show, I only snapped one or two photos as the show was just to good to miss anything.
The highlights for me were the crowd singing along to "The Spirit", which took me back to the 80's & I can't remember the crowd getting into the singing along at that level for many years. And the wife having her hand held by Bob Catley as he sang to her ( I won't go into all the rubbing & patting my head that he did lol )

Bob Catley singing to my wife.

Neonfly Album Launch - O2 Islington

A long drive down in to Islington was all worth it when we went to Neonfly's Album Launch Gig.
As usual we were at the front of the queue early to ensure a good spot, a few familiar faces from other gigs (Magnum gigs) appeared in the queue & these folks had also travelled long distances.

The first of 3 bands came on, they are called Night Screamer & were ok, they were followed by a band who I'd also not heard of called Night By Night & they were fantastic, another great find in 2014, during their set the guitarist (Tom) was playing a solo & during the solo he gave his guitar pick to one of my daughters & casually took another pick from his mic stand.
Later during the set, the singer stopped & said he had the 3 youngest metal fans he'd ever seen in front of him (our 3 kids) & proceeded to hand the microphone to them one at a time asking them to tell everyone in the crowd their names, a truely memorable night.

Then, if things couldn't get any better, The lights went down & the trademark intro music began, the moment we'd been waiting for... Neonfly

And it was certainly worth the wait, an outstanding performance & great to hear a few songs from the new album before it's official launch.

I didn't take my camera to this one as I wanted to enjoy the music as much as possible & I certainly wasn't disappointed.

After the show, I bought the new album ( about 12 days before it's release date I think ) & I have to say it's a brilliant album.

All I'm waiting for now is a few gigs to be announced........

BACK:N:BLACK November 2014

I photographed a couple of gigs for BACK:N:BLACK again, first the Queens Hall Nuneaton.
We took the kids to this one after the recent discovery that kids any age can go to gigs there as long as they're accompanied by an adult, the kids loved the show & I managed a few nice shots of the band.

BACK:N:BLACK Queens Hall - Nuneaton

BACK:N:BLACK Queens Hall - Nuneaton

The gig was great & after the show we got the kids in a photo with some of the band...

The kids with the ladies from Hades

The next night me & the wife went to see the band again, this time at my fav venue The Robin2.
A packed venue enjoyed a fantastic show, I managed a few more photos.

BACK:N:BLACK @ The Robin2

BACK:N:BLACK @ The Robin2

After the gig, we hung out with the band in their dressing room for a bit as you do ;)

Neonfly - Queens Hall, Nuneaton.

Well, the moment finally arrived, the kids were very excited...

#neonfly at The Queens Hall in Nuneaton.

We got there bright & early to ensure the kids got to the front.

Before the gig, we had a nice chat with Willy Norton (the singer) & also with Frederick Thunder II (guitarist / song writer)

The kids had made birthday cards for Fred & were eager to give them to him, it was lovely to see & Fred was genuinely touched that they had made cards for him.

Anyway, the doors opened & Neonfly were still doing their sound check, which was an added bonus & we positioned ourselves at the front.

Cue the intro music, it is in it's self fantastic & gives an immediate adrenalin rush

Ship with no sails follows the intro & the audience (90% who have probably never heard Neonfly before) seemed to be instantly fixated & realised they were witnessing a very special band.

The Enemy was next, then A Gift to remember, followed by "The" Medley of the revenent, the ornament (my favourite instrumental by any band) & spitting blood.

Then we were treated to 2 new songs; fierce battalions & heart of the sun.

finally, morning star, a quality tune, probably my fav song by them.

After Neonfly, we moved to the back of the room & we had a nice chat with the guys & they gave the kids drum sticks, set lists, guitar pics, a real gift to remember, what a great gig & what a great bunch of guys, can't wait for the new album & the next time :)

Paul Miller

Frederick Thunder II

Andy Midgley

Neonfly - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

Went to see Neonfly support Dragonforce at the rescue rooms in Nottingham on weds.
Dragonforce are not our cup of tea, but we only went for the fly guys.

The weather was pants but luckily we were at the front of the queue due to getting there very very early & there's a canopy at the doors.

The poor black veil brides fans round the corner at rock city weren't so lucky as to have shelter & there were some pretty heavy down pours ( oh well, should follow a decent band ;) - just kiding before a get a hard time for dissing the BVB , my daughter follows them to )

Anyway, Neonfly kicked butt. They were nothing short of amazing, sadly their set was only 30 minutes long, it'll be nice to see them headline a gig & play a long set :)

Neonfly

Frederick Thunder II

I was lucky enough to get my jacket autographed by the band :)

Neonfly signing my jacket

What a great bunch of guys, can't wait to see them again next week with the kids.
Looking forward to the new Neonfly album - Strangers in Paradise.

Meeting Neonfly in Birmingham

Frederick & the Neonfly guys kindly arranged for us to bring the kids to meet them at the Birmingham venue they were playing at today (the kids being to young to attend the gig)

Neonfly

What a top bunch of guys & fantastic band, looking forwards to taking the kids to see them at the Queens Hall in Nuneaton in October
**Edit: Me & the Wife will now be going to see them at the Rescue Rooms - Nottingham in just over a week's time, tickets bought tonight, happy days.

Took the Ice Bucket challenge...

So, today I took the challenge...

It was refreshing :)