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As a music photographer trying to make a name for myself I tend to look back on the things I’ve done in the last year as a means of gauging how well it’s going, what I’ve achieved. Like many others who endlessly tire and work hard to be successful in their given field, it’s often difficult to appreciate and recognise your own success without taking the time to think, pulling it all apart and analysing it. As I sit here asking myself ‘what the hell have I done this year?’ it would appear that it’s actually quite a lot. And some of the most enjoyable things I’ve done this year have been the festivals I’ve had the pleasure of being invited to. I’ve visited different countries, and spent long weekends in some most excellent company. So I thought it might be cool to write a diary of my festival year. Or more correctly, my independent festival year. If you didn’t make it to some of these this year perhaps my run down will help you decide to get your mates together and get yourselves along to some next year.
APRIL
Festival: Groezrock (Belgium)
What it’s all about: Groezrock is an annual festival that sees 23,000 alternative music fans going ape shit in a dusty field.
Why did you go?: Monster Energy endorsed event, Big Deal in attendance, great company, awesome bands, I LOVE Belgium.
Any good bands then? Flogging Molly, NOFX, Underoath, Cancer Bats, The Ghost Inside, Bleed From Within, The Used, Asking Alexandria, Circa Survive, The Blackout, Thursday. And about a million other kick ass bands. So yes, something for everyone.
Festival goer opinion: Well laid out site, on site camping, being actively encouraged to interact with bands on the Back to Basics stage, friendly staff, lots of chill out areas, easily accessible stages, fairly cheap beer, good ticket prices, diverse line up.
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Photographer’s eye view: No flash restrictions in most stages, photo pits not being overloaded, friendly pit/festival staff, good lighting.
Highlights: A most awesome road trip experience with the Big Deal crew and members of Shadows Chasing Ghosts, the Back to Basics Stage (best thing ever!), stage access, grinning throughout every second of The Ghost Inside’s CRAZY set, Asking Alexandria not being half as shit as everyone made out, free drinks in the VIP bar, persuading the MacBeth stage to let While She Sleeps play an impromptu set (and them KILLING it), talking to Jeremy from Comeback Kid for over an hour before asking him who he was, the Monster Energy crew, interviewing very drunk Bleed From Within members.
How does it rate?: 10 out of 10! Highly recommended, would definitely go back again next year.
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Festival: Hit the Deck (Nottingham)
What it’s all about: Nearly 4,000 kids invading Rock City, Rescue Rooms and Stealth for one of the most anticipated new, one day UK festivals.
Why did you go?: Monster Energy endorsed main stage, Big Deal Massive, catch ups, road trip, good music.
Any good bands? Underoath, The Blackout, We Are The Ocean, Young Guns, Deaf Havana, Cancer Bats, While She Sleeps, The Ghost Inside, Feed The Rhino, Hyro Da Hero. And that’s only a few of the bands!
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Festival goer opinion: Awesome bands, almost too much choice of bands, cult status venue, well organised, good sound, packed rooms, lots of walking between venues, band clashes.
Photographer’s eye view: No flash restrictions (after some mediation), good lighting, not too many photographers, getting into smaller stages a little trickier.
Highlights: Alex Baker, Monster Energy in abundance, supportive tour managers, Hyro Da Hero on the after party dance floor, Monster Jager bombs.
How does it rate?: 8 out of 10. Would massively recommend.
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Words & Photos: Marianne Harris
To read a more in-depth review about Mar’s experiences at Groezrock and Hit the Deck, check out the new issue of the magazine available here (online) and here (pdf download & print copy).
You can also view more photos on Mar’s facebook page: www.facebook.com/MarianneHarrisPhotography
Filed under: Features, Reviews Tagged: 2011, festivals, Groezrock, Hit the Deck, independent, marianne harris, music, part 1, photographer Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
