This is quite remarkable - I have actually got these pictures up the same day. Admittedly I don't often go to gigs in the afternoon, and when I do its even rarer to arrive home feeling fresh enough to tackle the photos. It's only a week since I first saw Slummin Angels and they have already become a firm favourite. This gig is south of the river, but being an afternoon gig, its quite a relaxed little trip for me. I think the soundman doesn't know how to operate the lights;  the rear lights are working fine, and he randomly changes their colours (they are LED lights), but there is nothing from the front, however much he twiddles with the rear lights. Otherwise it is quite a nice venue - good size stage, and I think the sound is OK (no-one complains much, so if its not ok the bands must be particularly tolerant).

The first band are just starting as I arrive and I enjoy a pint of guiness whilst pondering the strangely inadequate lighting. During the second band, Play Misty (presumably named after the Clint Eastwood film)  I try a few photos to see what can be achieved with the lights. It is possible to get few arty (technically low-key) shots. The band seem to have some good tunes.

Slummin Angels soon follow. Katherine, the bass player is well lit in the same arty way. Matt, the drummer, is lit like most drummers (barely). Jennifer , guitar and vocals, is unfortunately lit entirely from behind; with singing into the mike she can't really turn to catch the light.  Although her (impressive ) hair is beautifully rim lit, her face remains doggedly in the shadows.  I try various alternatives including flash and manage a few passable shots. I have discovered that Matt and Katherine are both 17, whilst Jennifer is all of 19. Although they do look quite young in appearance  (at my age most bands look young! ), their performance is hugely mature, brimming with confident  tunes and fluid movement. These guys are just stars waiting for an audience to find them. (I think I might have used that phrase before or worse, plagarised it from someone else, watch this space whilst I try to think of a more original punchline with the same sentiment).

After Slummin Angels have finished their set, they are replaced by a seriously young band, Shiva. Apparently they range in age from 12 to 15. I would guess that the drummer Audrey is probably the youngest. At this point the soundman (it would be sarcastic to call him a lighting man) finds the switch for the front lights and the place suddenly looks like a proper venue. I take a few shots of Shiva to see how the lights should be. The band are quite impressive but (unlike Slummin Angels) it is difficult to ignore their youth and make a direct comparison with older bands. Certainly they have great potential and it is nice to see them including a few covers of songs which more established bands might not dare to tackle. I have actually seen Shiva before when they played in Hoxton in a dingey bar (well actually it was so dark that I really only heard them).