Will's Best Gigs of 2023

2023 has been a crazy year for me. Looking back on where I was this time last year, it's mad to think that I’d be shooting my favourite artists and meet so many insanely talented and lovely people while doing it, as well as hitting 1000 followers on my page which, although completely arbitrary, feels like a huge achievement that I’ve worked my ass off for. Let’s take a look back on this year and the shows that made it so awesome.

In no particular order

ERRA: EUROPE 2023 TOUR w/ SILENT PLANET, INVENT ANIMATE AND SENTINELSAt Electric Ballroom, London, 15^th March

This year has been the year of crazy lineups all over the world, and with many huge names releasing music this year, it's no surprise that mammoth lineups like this ended up making their way to the UK. Invent Animate is a band I’ve absolutely fallen in love with this year, and getting the chance to see and shoot them for the second time in March was so special – many tears shed, and lyrics screamed in the photo pit – and paired with Silent Planet – a band I got tattooed on my body when I was 18 – I was properly fanboying behind the lens. Sentinels killed it as the opener, too, and it was no surprise to me when they announced Kenny Stroh as their new vocalist – dude is an absolute animal – and having an ERRA headline set to look forward to making the night absolutely electric (pun not intended but welcome). I ended up getting my best and most creative set of photos yet from this show, and it ignited the passion I now pursue as a career, and for that, I’ll never forget it.

DAYSEEKER UK TOUR 2023: w/ ACRES AND LOVE IS NOISE At O2 Academy Islington, London, 16^th May

Shooting Dayseeker’s UK headliner was a turning point in my journey as a photographer. Shooting on a full-frame camera for the first time, with some brand-new kit to jazz up my shots was an exhilarating experience. I remember looking back through the photos on the train home with my jaw on the floor – I couldn’t believe that they were mine. It felt like I’d made a huge leap in the right direction, and the fact that I was now able to create the images I saw in my mind excited me beyond belief. Dayseeker was phenomenal, as expected, and shooting them in such a brilliant, intimate venue was an amazing experience – I could’ve flicked Rory on the nose if I had the balls. Acres and Love is Noise were bands that I wasn’t overly familiar with before the show, but since have become playlist staples for me, and to this day some of my favourite shots are of their brilliant support sets.

STRAY FROM THE PATH UK/EU 2023: w/ MAKE THEM SUFFER, VOID OF VISION AND KNOSIS At The Roundhouse, London, 5^th November

Skipping a few months, November brought my first trip to The Roundhouse – which I’m pretty sure is my favourite venue in the UK. After missing out on a few amazing shows earlier in the year, I was stoked to be approved for this crazy lineup. The highlight for me was Void of Vision, who are one of my favourite bands around and also happen to be absolutely insane live – Jack’s vocals do not disappoint. A beefy set full of CHRONICLES bangers, VOV was a dream to shoot, and my gallery from their show is one of my proudest achievements. Make Them Suffer was also unbelievable, and despite tricky lighting conditions, I managed to grab some pretty crazy shots, but nothing close to the success of my photos of Knosis’ chaotic opening set; Ryo absolutely lived up to his reputation. While I wasn’t and still aren’t the biggest Stray fan around, I can’t deny that they put on a show – their high-energy hardcore sound made for a crazy fun set that yielded some insane images that I’m super proud of and look awesome in my portfolio.

HOLDING ABSENCE, THE NOBLE ART OF SELF-DESTRUCTION UK TOUR: w/ THORNHILL AND DARK DIVINE At O2 Forum Kentish Town, 24^th November

Finally, Holding Absence’s sold-out London headliner was absolutely a show for my books – it was the first time I’d seen Thornhill in person, and if you know me you know how much I love those guys. Getting to shoot Thornhill felt like an opportunity that was made for me – I don’t think I’ve felt more like me than in that photo pit – and the icing on the cake was getting to see them with a group of mates in Norwich the following Monday and enjoy the whole set up close. Holding Absence was also incredible as ever, and after loving their album this year, getting to see and shoot them playing the songs was just loads of fun, as well as getting to meet Scott, Ben, and their photographer Beth at a merch pop-up before the show – who were absolutely lovely. Dark Divine also surprised me; despite not clicking with their music on Spotify I was enthralled by their live show – Anthony Martinez is no joke on the vocals – and I’m super happy with all the shots I got from this monumental show.

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