Alice Cooper - Munich

Shoting concerts is so cool. Especially when things turn out ideally. Alice Cooper and Whitesnake played in Munich. Everything normal, except the fact that the organizers told us that we can shoot Cooper 4 songs with a flash...this usually rings a few bells in photographers head, as nobody would want to use it on such a concert. Even if there was not light, they wouldn't want us to have a picture (like Marlyn Manson did ) anyway and would not allow flash. Luckily Whitesnake played before Cooper and we could see some good light there and this meant some hope for the main act that night. You never know. I was a bit nervous, but as soon as we arrived into the pit and saw the show start i unscrewed my flash off (not to disturb anyone, more on this in next post) and started workin'. It turned out great and even due to the fact that Cooper looks pretty scary everything worked beautifull. This was the day one of my crazy mid-week-concert-workout-around-Germany-and Austria :) Here's some stuff!

Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene in 2008

Jean Michel Jarre, the man himself, some call him the father of electronic music but still a true rock 'n' roll star to sell 80 million records finally visited Ljubljana. The show was full of expectations as we did not hear new stuff and did not get fancy lightshows, but instead an interesting experience of actually hearing and seeing the 30 years old synths playing his Oxygene project. I was assigned to cover the little interview session with him, but was not allowed to take pictures there at the end..some portraits there would be really nice as there was a nice table with cool reflections where he seated. Well, that's the way it goes sometimes, but it was still very interesting just to listen about his projects and ideas and shake hands with him. The concert, altough short, was interesting, both from photographic experience and just by watching and listening. We did quite a lot of walking to and then back and again to the stage..we were allowed some 10 minutes in front of stage, then taken back to the end of the hall, waited there for 10 minutes and then taken back to the stage, during Oxygene 4, where a huuuge mirror came down allowing an interesting aerial view of Jarre performing. Pretty cool effect. Here are some moments, as you can see the lights were intimate and not too bright :)

... before the show talk ...

... the man in action ....

... mirror view at the back ...

... see, i told you he rocks :)

... aerial view ...

... whole setup (audience was sitting so we had to keep a low profile too)

.. and the old geezer (looks really cool with all the switches and everything)

Vlatko Stefanovski Blues

Great blues evening yesterday with Vlatko Stefanovski and his special guest, Jan Akkerman. Listening to Vlatko is always great, but if he starts playing the blues it makes the whole experience even more interesting and very energetic. Jan joined the crowd on stage for about one hour and played lots of blues, from classics to new peices from Stefanovski new album "Thunder From The Blue Sky". Filled up my batteries for the week or two :)

Thumbs up for Vlatko

... this is where his sounds come from ...

... watching Vlatko and his fingering is hard, it is soo fast :)

.. typical Vlatko moment...

... together ...

Stefanovski and the empty hall of Cankarjev Dom

Vesna Zornik - Katalena

Katalena played in Cvetličarna. This was simply a wonderfull night and great concert. I have seen them many, many times, but the band keeps suprising me every time i see them. Altough my camera kept sending me the err99 every 5 shots (the only things that helps is to quickly open the battery tray and reset) i managed to get a few "working portraits" of Vesna Zornik, the main vocal and smiling face of Katalena.

The Queen

I am still here, just busy. Last week has been quite crazy with following the Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Slovenia. As always, protocol was tight and not much access was given to those outside assigned pools, except during her Ljubljana walk between the crowds. I was lucky to get a few pools, and was able to capture some nice shots all over. Watching the Queen just few feet away during state dinner at Brdo was also interesting and altough 60 guests came to greet her i managed to take few moments just to observe. They ended quickly as i was there to work not observe. Well an interesting experience and if compared to GW Bush visit earlier this year, so much more relaxed as there were no military in the fields around airport, no snipers on top of buildings etc. I will also remember this visit as i had bday on 22nd and it is not often that the Queen of England is in front of you on "your " day :) Now back to normal life :)

Living Colour - really cool guys

I always somehow missed Living Colour performing in our little town. Yesterday i didn't. They were back in action and Cvetlicarna was packed. Amazingly how energetic their show is, great playing, and really cool guys. Just after the concert, almost all of them ran out to the fans and hanged out with them. I miss this so much with other bands of their size. Only after they all signed CDs, took pictures and so, they returned and talked to press. All 4 of them were present in an interview room, which is also very rare in such occasions. This allowed me to shoot some nice portraits and group shots during their interviews. It seems all the light that was gone from Iggy's concert came back with Living Colour :)

The Dark Side of The Light - Iggy Pop and the Stooges in Ljubljana

After two very bright concerts last week a dark one followed. Iggy Pop came to Ljubljana after few years of absence, with The Stooges. Lots of photographers, more than 20, and so little space and even less light for everyone to catch. I knew he doesn't like strobes or bright spots, but this conditions were almost impossible to take a picture (flash was not allowed) I don't know why are they doing it. I saw images from shows in London and elsewhere and light there was completely normal. I often ask myself, in such conditions, if because we're living in a small country like Slovenia this means we will get less from big name artists? Are we some kind of "shareware" for them in terms of show production? Otherwise concert was loud, energetic, Iggy kept running like crazy, jumping all over place. Sound followed the conditions. Very loud and trashy. Amazingly how much energy this man still carries with him. Hopefully, he comes back soon with more light :)

Coldplay in Vienna

So, this was a week to remember. For several reasons. But the most importaint one was two great concerts in two days. Following Madonna, i came back to Vienna to shoot Coldplay in Stadthalle. I have never been in this hall before, and it is just amazing. Huge, packed with 15.000 people. Coldplay rocked like i never imagined. Their music seems more intimate on CDs but when they play, it comes alive big time and they really go super loud.

For us, it was the normal procedure, 3 songs, again some limitations. We were only allowed to stay next to left hand stage extension. This meant no moving as there was no place to go anywhere. Time flies, especially when singer like Chris Martin jumps like crazy, runs and turns all over the place. At the very end of the third song, he and Jonny Buckland, the quitar player came right at the end of the extension. Briefly, but i couldn't go at the end of the extension to get the ideal position. Sometimes this happens and it is not a good feeling, but it also means you have to take what you have and make the most out of the position you have. I quickly decided to go down a bit and catch a silhouette of Chris Martin as he felt on his knees. Bang, and it was over and we were out. I managed to get back to enjoy the show and kept my mouth open most of the time. So cool Coldplay!

Madonna in Vienna

Madonna came to Vienna, Austria. For the first time. It was the first time for me on her concert too, with a camera of course. Here's one shot taken from quite a distance as we were not allowed to get closer to the stage and we had to bring long lenses. Still, Madonna is Madonna and 15 of us allowed to shoot here were quite happy at the end. Anyone been at the show?

Election day 2008

We all worked hard yesterday shooting elections from 7AM till late night/morning hours. As it looks now, Borut Pahor (Social Democrats) should win. Tight, but it was very tight in his campaign headquaters as we all tried to snap the first moments after the unofficial results were announced. Here is the one i like a lot and it circled around a bit on the wire. Pahor poses with palms together hoping for his victory to be confirmed officially in a week.

The Dubliners - cheers!

The Dubliners. This Legendary irish band came back to Ljubljana this week. As always great concert and lots of people. Instead of classic stage shots, i decided to post a few moments as seen from the backstage area. Eamon Campbell, great chap and very energetic on stage. He told me he drinks Guiness only when in Ireland and goes for local brew while touring so i captured him during his refresh time on stage. Note, that table for beer and chairs are the only element on stage next to guitars and microphones :) Cheers!

RBD Rebelde Mania and a week of screaming teenagers

RBD, Rebelde, or a Mexican pop group that made most kids in Slovenia, between 7 and16, totally crazy for a week. Totally means, really totally. Screaming, jumping, trying to get a sight, an autograph or just a touch of their favourite group. I must admit this was interesting to watch and cover. Music was in a second plan this time, altough the show kept 6000+ kids up and jumping for 2 days and 3 concerts. Much has been said and written about this "phenomenon" and i don't remeber seeing something similar lately (with exception of another soap opera tv star arrival several years back). Having a chance to meet the band members and briefly talk to them, they all seemed very down to earth, a bit tired of being on the road but still very open to their fans, loving the publicity, enjoying the atmosphere aroudn them and enjoying the hospitality of our country. Well....time will tell more :) Here are some moments from the show and elsewhere....