Gorillaz Live @ the O2 Dublin

A few months ago when I first heard that I was going to get the opportunity to start shooting gigs it was a dream come true. To be told to take a look through the MCD listings to see what ones I wanted to photograph I was sure I was the victim of some sort of horrible practical joke. Far too good to be true. Surely. I made a list and passed it back to MCD. “They should all be fine” came the response. What!? Really!? It’s that easy! “yeah, sure you’re doing us a favour”.
Riiiiight. I’d let them think that all they wanted!
One of the bands that I put down on that original list was Gorillaz. I knew they’d be one of those bands that would get the crowd really jumping, have good visuals and then of course they have Damon Albarn. One of the best frontmen in music.
They were going to be playing in the O2 which I’d only been at to watch gigs but never to shoot one so that was a little nerve-racking to say the least. Once I’d arrived I met Alessio Michelini, a fellow photographer who’d I’d met at the Divine Comedy and he took my mind of the task ahead chatting away as we waited for Gorillaz to take to the stage. Another photographer, Danielle, was even more excited than I was as Damon Albarn is a big hero of hers. As soon as they came on stage it was good to see the photographers (especially Danielle) show as much support as the crowd.
Instead of shooting the first 3 songs as is usually the case we were to shoot songs 3, 4 and 5 – so we waiting in the wings for the first 2 songs and then got rushed into the pit at the end of song two. To describe what happened next as utter chaos is a massive understatement. It was insane. Eight photographers all fighting for the best angle, burley bouncers keeping an eye on us as much as they were keeping an eye on the crowd, fans arms reaching out making the pit even narrower than it already was and massive speakers blasting out sound so loud you could feel the air hitting you square in the face! Then of course to add to all of the hysteria there is Damon standing right over you, giving it loads and the crowd eating from the palm of his hand. Talk about a serious adrenaline rush.

My heart was pounding as I snapped away not having a moment to look at the back of the camera to check my results and let me tell you this – trying to track Damon Albarn on stage isn’t easy – the guy is made from elastic!

As is always the case, those three songs were over in a flash. We left the pit and I then just stood and watched the rest of the show in awe – the whole time thinking “I was right in there, under that stage – how awesome”.

Thanks again to MCD! Looking forward to the next one!