What a mess. A significant number of the bands listed as playing disappeared from the schedule on the morning of the festival. The programs were totally useless as none of the bands played when they were advertised. There was no info on stage times, nor any information about anything. After all these bands had been removed, those that were left were only allowed 15 minute sets. Nice posters shame about the festval.
I doubt that there will be one next year.

Kasms were great. I saw a few other bands who were alright. Wasn't impressed with Polly Scattergood, but then I think the sound and the rain were both bad on the main stage.

If anyone knows who the band (american I think) who played at 5.50 in the tent were, please drop me a line, as I have some photos but no idea who they were - they must have been important as they were allowed more than 15 minutes.

ere last week so I am aware that the lights are not of a good standard, being one light on the floor at each end of the stage, plus a yellow ceiling light.
Tonight is Kasms' single launch party and an evening of personally selected support bands (I assume). The evening starts with Plug who are two girls , one plays drums and does lead vocals; the other plays bass, does backing vocals , and plays a keyboard with her shoes. I don't take any shots as they are badly positioned for the lights and also badly positioned for flash due to stands and where I'm standing.

As I have come across Male Bonding twice before and not photographed them although they are a good band, I am determined to get some photos tonight. They are difficult to photograph because the guitar and the bass players face each other and sing with microphones which face each other rather than the audience. Without revealing any trade secrets , this is a very difficult set-up to photograph even with good lights. I'm not too unhappy with the results anyway. Male Bonding are a very intense band and worth seeing.
Kasms tire me out. Just keeping Rachel in focus is tiring, pressing the shutter at appropriate points requires intense concentration. The concentration on intense music and intense photography is why I go to gigs.

Whilst waiting for Kasms I enjoy Betty and the Werewolves who I have seen before but I think somewhere cramped and dark. This is the first time I have seen Kasms on a decent sized stage. Usually when I try to catch Rachel jumping in the air or rolling on the ground there are microphone stands blocking the line of sight and sometimes restricting her movement. Here there is a good field of view. The lights are rather limp. Being a Student Union there is plenty of equipment but slightly under-used. It’s worth the day off and I’m pleased with the pictures as well as the show.
I leave at 12.30 and am home shortly after 2.30 after 2 night buses and just catching an N7 at Tottenham Court Road.

Madame Jojos used to be a good venue but tonight the soundman (lighting man?) either can't operate the lights or thinks total darkness adds to the ambience. I spoke to Kasms before they played and I know that they didn't have any horrid spots to hide. I couldn't see enough of the other bands to tell what they looked like. Maybe I should write to white heat to ask them whether the pitch blackness is a style thing or whether it is just tonight that the paying public is being short-changed. In truth I would have probably used flash anyway as Rachel moves too fast even for good lights, but I can not recommendthis venue when there are plenty of places to spend your hard-earned wages.
Kasms are excellent and Rachel's white puffball skirt gives me something to focus on in the gloom.

Tonight's headliner's are Hatcham Social who I haven't seen before, but have heard mentioned in a positive light fairly frequently. I know Kasms are worth seeing. In view of the popularity of the bands (and it seems to be 14+) I thought the gig might sell out but I don't think it has - by 10pm it's extremely difficult to get a drink at the bar with only 2 people struggling to satisfy a thirsty crowd.
The first band are all boys and caller Sunderbans. I find them enjoyable (worth a listen) and take a few shots to check the lights. With LED lights, paricularly the one at the Borderline, the lighting comes out brighter on camera than it looks to the eye. A bit of practise is more worthwhile than normal. Even though it is quite bright, Rachel of Kasms move so much and so fast, gerally jumping and rolling and crawling and throwing herself around that I decide to switch to flash after a couple of songs of available light. I prefer the style of available light but the percentages are better with flash. Tonight the stage is dry (it was covered with beer at the old blue last) so she is ok rolling on the floor. Thatcham Social are a quality outfit with a drummer who has no stool. I can see why they are tipped for success and will check their myspace.

....when I arrive I find that Kasms have started. I have missed maybe a couple of songs, and they finished nicely in time for me to catch the last tube. I should say that the Old Blue Last was free otherwise this could have been an expensive plan. It's rather satisfying to have my cake and eat it!