Topic: Shooting Gigs at London O2

[Late Developer]

I'm off to see a gig from by of my fave rock bands at the O2 in Docklands, London this coming November.

Does anyone have experience of taking photos at this venue.  I suspect they're likely to be reasonably hot on anyone with something that looks like an SLR but what about a compact / point and shoot type camera? As the place can hold 20,000, is that likely to improve the odds in my favour or are the bag searches / searchers at this venue more thorough because it's relatively high profile?

It's a long time since I've taken anything much more than a mobile phone into a gig but I'd like to get a few decent shots if I can get close enough to the stage.  In days gone by, the bands were usually quite cool with having their photos taken but protecting image rights and venue management style is, I suspect, a different kettle of fish these days.

Thoughts?

[charles binns]

I see Justin Bieber is playing the O2 in November.  Are you a Belieber?

[Late Developer]

I see Justin Bieber is playing the O2 in November.  Are you a Belieber?

Mr Binns, I believe that you may be joshing me.  You know me far better than to believe for one millisecond that I would be a fan of that particular individual.  Neither could his output be remotely referred to as "rock".  No - I am off to see "Alter Bridge"; fine, and very noisy, purveyors of foot-tapping ditties.

I can recommend firing up Spotify and having a listen to their 2013 album "Fortress".  Be sure to turn the volume to the max.....

[charles binns]

Never heard of them.  You may be right about the joshing though.

[Indofunk]

Don't know about that specific venue, but at similar large venues in NYC, I've mostly been lucky enough to get in with film cameras. They definitely seize anything that looks like a DSLR though. I've occasionally astounded myself when security opens my bag and there sitting in plain view is a film SLR and an extra lens, and they let that in.

Full disclosure: the venues that I'm thinking of  (Webster Hall, Bowery Ballroom, Terminal 5, etc) aren't *quite* as big as O2. I guess the parallel in NYC would be Madison Square Garden or Radio City, and I've never tried to bring a camera into either of those places. Problem with huge venues like that is that you're generally way too far away from the action to get anything good unless you have a ridiculously long lens.

[Nigel]

Having had a little experience shooting some gigs recently unless you're in the pit or one or in the first row hanging over the barrier you're not going to get too much meaningful of the band. So I'd just pack something like a 35mm and just get the overall atmosphere. The other thing I find is if I get too involved in shooting I realise I don't really 'hear' the music - sometimes that can be a bonus!

I'm with Charles in my knowledge of Alter Bridge, but doing a quick google I guess you should get some interesting fans to shoot! 

I've going to shoot 'Slaves' at Rough Trade East on Friday night. The good and the bad thing about that is the fans get a bit 'lively'. There's no pit so it's a case of me trying to shove my way to the front past lots of beered-up blokes pumped up on very loud music! Wish me luck! 

[Indofunk]

No pit AND moshing fans? Good luck indeed! 

[Francois]

In my late teens, I covered a small outdoor show with my 70-210mm. That was the only lens I had back in the day.
It turned out pretty good as things are much further apart on a stage than you think.
All I had was a roll of TMZ that I shot at 3200 (I was afraid of the uncertainty of film pushing... that's what ignorance and blind respect for the rules do to you )

[Late Developer]

Charles and Nigel (et al), Alter Bridge were formed from the remnants of Creed.  Excellent and heavy - but also very tuneful and a stunning guitarist (Mark Tremonti). Well worth a listen.

I might just take the Oly XA and see what I can get that shows the atmosphere.

Good luck with the Slaves gig, Nigel.  They were on Jools Holland's show last night.  Not my cup of tea musically but I can imagine it could be a bit frisky.....

Satish, I'm led to believe that the O2 isn't reserved seating and that, if you can fight your way to the front, you can get a pretty decent view.  I haven't been there before, so it's unknown territory.  I won't risk anything that's going to be confiscated as I wouldn't let them have it and would rather miss the gig.

[David A-W]

I use North Greenwich station as part of my daily commute and it's always a bit of fun to try to work out from the fans who is playing there. The Justin Bieber fans were easy to spot last time, mostly young girls with their mums and with "Justin" written on their faces and barely containing their excitement and wonder.

I've been to the O2 (or the North Greenwich Arena as it was properly called during the Olympics) many times. The only time I tried taking proper photos inside was with my Harman Titan, though not for a rock show. I was pretty quickly approached by a security guard who was perfectly pleasant but did want to know what I was doing.

The concert hall is truly vast - you won't be near to the stage at all, mostly watching the gig from the video screens. I've not been to any gig that had unrestricted seating there.

[Francois]

For some reason, it's probably a bigger place than you can think... Take the biggest thing you can think of and multiply type of big...

(Sorry for the bad syntax... Was sleepless most of the night)

[kentish cob]

I have tickets for a gig there next year, so I'm very interested to hear how you fared, LD.
Did you take the XA?
Capture anything worth sharing?
And most importantly, good gig?

[Late Developer]

I have tickets for a gig there next year, so I'm very interested to hear how you fared, LD.
Did you take the XA?
Capture anything worth sharing?
And most importantly, good gig?

I didn't take anything other than my iPhone.  For once, as I was there with a friend / former colleague, I thought I'd just enjoy the show (which was brilliant, BTW). I didn't take a single shot while there, so nothing to share, I'm afraid.  We also went through heroic amounts of beer before and during the event, so not sure my focusing would have been up to scratch 

However, when entering the O2, there's a sign that says: "only small bags allowed" and that "professional cameras are not allowed".  The latter comment always makes me laugh as the camera is only a tool - it's the photographer that has the skill and know-how! If you don't have seats allocated, the main "floor" was all standing and lots of opportunities to get to the front if you're happy to fight your way there.  Depends on configuration that evening, I suppose.  Who are you going to see?

[kentish cob]

Who are you going to see?

recapturing my youth and introducing the kids to the mighty Iron Maiden...

[Late Developer]

Who are you going to see?

recapturing my youth and introducing the kids to the mighty Iron Maiden...

Seen them a few times myself, though not for a few years.  With a bit of luck, they'll have the Robinson's "Trooper" beer on tap (made in my home town).  Always a good atmosphere at a Maiden gig.  Have fun and let's see some photos if you go for it.

[charles binns]

Who are you going to see?

recapturing my youth and introducing the kids to the mighty Iron Maiden...

Seen them a few times myself, though not for a few years.  With a bit of luck, they'll have the Robinson's "Trooper" beer on tap (made in my home town).  Always a good atmosphere at a Maiden gig.  Have fun and let's see some photos if you go for it.

So how was Justin Beiber? 

[kentish cob]

Who are you going to see?

recapturing my youth and introducing the kids to the mighty Iron Maiden...

Seen them a few times myself, though not for a few years.  With a bit of luck, they'll have the Robinson's "Trooper" beer on tap (made in my home town).  Always a good atmosphere at a Maiden gig.  Have fun and let's see some photos if you go for it.

Last time I saw them was at Donington Monsters of Rock... (before I got married, so must've been 1988...) My tastes have mellowed a little and widened considerably since then, but I'm quite looking forward to it. As you say, always a good atmosphere, and a deserved reputation for a spectacular show.

[charles binns]

Who are you going to see?

recapturing my youth and introducing the kids to the mighty Iron Maiden...

Seen them a few times myself, though not for a few years.  With a bit of luck, they'll have the Robinson's "Trooper" beer on tap (made in my home town).  Always a good atmosphere at a Maiden gig.  Have fun and let's see some photos if you go for it.

Last time I saw them was at Donington Monsters of Rock... (before I got married, so must've been 1988...) My tastes have mellowed a little and widened considerably since then, but I'm quite looking forward to it. As you say, always a good atmosphere, and a deserved reputation for a spectacular show.

My next door neighbour pays in Iron Maiden's football team.  I can't stand  them, myself.  I prefer AC/DC.

[Francois]

One thing that always amazes me about those old skool metal bands is how nice people they really are off stage... and you simply couldn't guess from their on-stage performances.

[Late Developer]

Who are you going to see?

recapturing my youth and introducing the kids to the mighty Iron Maiden...

Seen them a few times myself, though not for a few years.  With a bit of luck, they'll have the Robinson's "Trooper" beer on tap (made in my home town).  Always a good atmosphere at a Maiden gig.  Have fun and let's see some photos if you go for it.

So how was Justin Beiber?

Cheeky Cockney bugger...!! It was Alter Bridge as you know all too well.  Great support from Gojira and Volbeat.  My ears are still ringing 

[Late Developer]

One thing that always amazes me about those old skool metal bands is how nice people they really are off stage... and you simply couldn't guess from their on-stage performances.

Francois, I can't speak for the current crop - which might take itself a bit too seriously - but the old school guys who came out of the late 60's and the 70's were entertainers and ground-breakers.  I think they must have realised that they sank or swam together.  Without question, the world has its fair share of idiots but I've never had a moment's trouble at a heavy metal gig.  I had the extreme fortune to be able to meet Lemmy, albeit briefly, after a Motorhead gig and a nicer, more humble and pleasant guy you could never wish to meet.  The only (and i mean ONLY) front man who made me want to get physical was Axl Rose.  Guns and Roses were a decent band but that poisonous little sh*t could cause a fight in a room on his own.  I have no idea what AC/DC was thinking when they recruited him for their last tour.

[Francois]

Axel Rose definitely is a one off. He was responsible for a massive riot in Montreal, and I must say I totally get the fans anger. The band had filled the Olympic stadium to the brim with something like 50,000 people. The show started two hours late because the band wasn't ready. The show finally begins, they do a song and Axel ends it with a massive F*** you and walks out. That was the show. Just imagine paying 60 bucks for a bad seat just to see that! And since they did go on stage, there was no refund....