LIVE music photography

Riding of on the wave of Disco Punk CSS have been selling out venues across Europe. Brazil’s sexiest band have probably pulled off 2007’s most interesting album Cansei de Ser Sexy (Tired of being Sexy) originally picked up by Nirvana’s label Sub Pop the album created a real buzz and then was licensed by Warner’s who have done a good job in subtly marketing it. It’s disappointing that they have not received a Mercury nomination although their good mates The Klaxons are tipped to win the coveted prize next week.

I was however slightly disappointed by their performance which was a lot less dynamic than other performances that I have watched. Poor old Lovefoxxx just seemed to be going through the motions. Maybe they need a rest after three months of non stop festival performances or maybe they just did the show to please XFM after all they probably could sell out Brixton Academy so why play a venue the fifth of the size? Despite this they are well worth catching live and their album definitely worth a listen. Along with Shit Disco CSS are riding high with an original sound which has shaken up the indie scene.

Written by John Rahim

The last time I saw the Lostprophets was at the Reading Festival in 2004. After 2 days of non stop drinking I found myself on the Sunday afternoon basking in the sun and being subjected to abuse from drunken goths, the performance was pretty painful and my friends and I sloped back into the backstage area for our 15th pint of Carling. I had mixed reservations about this band however all of these were wrong. The performance last night was truly on an epic scale. Since 2004 the band seemed to have dropped the hard edge thrash and has become a lot more melodic. The audience mainly comprising of teenage girls were in raptures throughout and I actually stayed for the entire set. The only question that I was left with was why are they not as big as My Chemical Romance when evidently they had the presence,songs and star quality. Well worth checking out live.

Written by John Rahim

Having seen Nine Black Alps a month ago at the iTunes festival was keen to see them headlining a larger venue. Unfortunately however the upstairs of the venue was closed and the management had decided to remove the photographers pit! That said the performance was pretty disappointing and lacklustre compared to their show the month before at the ICA. The band are playing at the Reading and Leeds Festivals this weekend so perhaps they are conserving their energy? Their second album is released in October on Island Records and certainly will be one to watch out for.

Written by John Rahim