Digital Portfolio

I have grown up listening to the Human League, specifically the album 'Dare'. They have been such a huge part of my music evolution and seeing them all on stage was quite weird. I don’t think anything could live up to the enjoyment I have had listening and singing along to them over the years.  We were seated at this gig. This meant that there was no discomfort of standing, getting too hot, being squished, holding things, losing a spot. There were moments where I wished we were standing so that we could boogie around however the distance meant that we got to view the whole spectacle, taking in everything at one time. The view meant that we couldn’t see any of their faces or what they uniquely looked like which was an interesting way to view a gig, holding its own aura. Phil Oakey kept wandering around and disappearing off stage. He later told us that this was because he had a sore throat and was sipping a Lemsip back stage. He did really well but by the encore he had practic...

The nature of folk/bluegrass music is very spontaneous and improvised with the instrumentation as the focus rather than the performers. The jam wasn’t to do with the people at all, just their musical skills/passion where those involved were interested in the music making, creating an evolving world of sound . Everybody was part of the same sound, engulfed, contributing, experiencing and imputing. This session had fluid and spontaneous jam qualities of bluegrass and old time music and was an authentic folk music experience. Due to the nature of reportage illustration (capturing the musicians playing live at that time and place) there was limited time to illustrate as they were constantly changing position, coming and going in each tune. Old Time Music Jam The Chemic Tavern, Leeds 25.11.18

When they arrived on stage they became performers, they became their aesthetic. They were all wearing matching berets, sunglasses and holding orange cocktails. They were relaxed on stage, obviously enjoying themselves, which reflected on the atmosphere of the audience. Mr. Ben kept the audience entertained for example explaining that one song was written about the love of his life (his favourite pen). Moments like this make experiencing the music in person unique and memorable.  It was a very intimate venue, there was hardly anybody there. This created a very relaxed atmosphere and made the experience special for the few who were present. Mr. Ben was the guy who was taking the tickets on the door, he was really friendly and welcoming which made the gig feel more personal and therefore more enjoyable. It made you appreciate that although they were talented musicians and performers, they are human beings just like everybody in the audience. Mr Ben and the Bens Hyde Park Boo...

There was simple and classic stage lighting. Just him in spotlights. This was appropriate, reflecting the simplicity of his songs, giving space to his guitar playing and not distracting from his communication. We didn't watch the whole gig which was a different experience because it meant that we were quite far back from the stage and could holistically absorb and appreciate the whole musical performance. It also meant that concentration didn't wander. I didn't really know Kurt Vile's music, I went because I like Courtney Barnett who created an album with him. It turns out that Kurt Vile isn't music I would listen to normally, however it was transfixing to experience live. Kurt Vile Hifi Club, Leeds 11.11.18

This was a spontaneous find after going to another gig. I made the mistake of not being prepared, not bring pen and paper with me. I therefore asked a bar man for till receipt and a biro as I felt inspired.  I c ouldn’t really see what I was doing because it was so dark at the venue but it created an interesting reportage image. I was drawing what I was experiencing rather than at the marks I was making and this has visualised the essence of the performance through studies of the musicians. The Drop Hifi Club, Leeds 11.11.18

Extremely high energy performance. Every member was constantly grinning and bouncing around for 2 hours of intense mayhem, they must have been exhausted. They were absolutely bonkers. T hey entered the stage with a robot warning tone, and then all came out wearing a bright yellow football uniform looking like bees and holding a sign that said HEY. It was the weirdest mix of music that I have ever experienced but it was impossible to stand still. It was Shrillex mixed with pop punk, mixed with rap and Bosnian traditional music. After discussing we agreed that 2 1/2 songs was the perfect amount before a break was needed as you went from loving to hating with no in between. Dubioza Kolektiv Brudenell Social Club, Leeds 09.11.18

I used to be in a band with the fiddle player of this band but hadn't watched them for a while. They had a different line up which isn't detrimental with folk music. It was interesting watching the nods and queues that the fiddle player gave from the outside rather than needing to respond to them personally on stage. The nature of this music is so fun and enjoyable that the whole audience was dancing around, cheering and clapping. Their dancing wasn't in a traditional sense, more their bodies responding to the sound. As performers they were very charismatic and entertaining. They built suspense, never stood still and at one point they played on their knees. Their music is from a different culture and therefore unusual to listen to but thoroughly enjoyable and very catchy. Kibitz Brudenell Social Club, Leeds 09.11.18

The music created a very spatial atmosphere . It created an engulfing space of overwhelming music. The vibrations from the bass came from the performers and through the floor and into your body, vibrating your heart, making you watch and feel rather than just hear - a multi-sensory experience. The lighting was incredible. They were immersed in a blue haze which filled all the space in the room creating a magical bubble. The musicians were absorbed in their music making. It was ambient, DIY, electronic music. The communication of the sonic is what was important to them and made a lot of sound for just 2 people. This was not at all my usual taste in music and definitely not something I would listen to on my own. I was transfixed throughout this performance and really enjoyed experiencing it live. Glowing Glare Brudenell Social Club, Leeds 08.11.18

It was an incredible coincidence discovering the Staves. They were a support act for First Aid Kit and we were very pleasantly surprised. Their performance was all to do with the music , the sound. They hardly moved on stage and there was no complicated lighting. The set was an electric purple glow that filled the whole stage with a wall of solid colour. Their music melted my heart. Their voices created a ray of ephemeral sound that filled the whole huge concert hall, completely surrounding and engulfing you. They sounded like pinging bells whilst still being able to create layers of soft beautiful harmony. The Staves Cambridge Corn Exchange 03.11.18