The Places I Have Been...

Get your hands in the air, Koln, Germany.

This post has to cover a lot of ground—I’ve been so busy with various projects that I haven’t had a chance to really update the blog since South Africa. So I’m going to try to capture the highlights of my time on tour with Bastille over the past three months—starting with the Brit Awards in London and ending up in Nashville. This is only a quick taste and a few stories, as there is a much larger plans for all the photos I have taken and still to take! 

The Brit Awards

I have never seen a band more honestly giddy over an honour like this. The day of the Awards was fabulous, from the nervous tension before hand (including the band repeating over and over that they were just glad to be there) through their performance with Rudimental (“Bastimental” for the day), and through to the announcement of the awards and the celebrations with family and friends after. They have worked so hard and come so far, so of course the “Best British Breakthrough Act” is richly deserved!

'Bastimental' performing after they collected their 'Best Breakthrough Act' Award, Brit Awards, London, England.

Backstage, I got some great shots backstage of the gang getting ready and trying to hide their nerves. During the performance, photographers with bands (like me) had to stay at the very back of the arena. Obviously this was a challenge, but I’m still quite happy with some of the distance/atmospheric shots I got of the band on stage.

Dan backstage before their award acceptance... Brit Awards, London.

The UK tour

This was a huge arena tour in the UK, with exceptional production and lighting. It was kind of overwhelming when I first saw the size of the lighting rig and the accompanying crew, and realized just how much these guys have taken off over the course of Bad Blood album tours. The production quality, from sound to the video projections running behind the band just made the experience a thrilling one for the crowds. This changed how I worked as a photographer as well, with lots more strobes and flashing lights that obviously has a big impact on how I shoot and how I am able to capture certain angles and moments on the stage. 

It kicked off in Manchester, England. 

Walking about, Manchester, England.  (Not for the faint hearted...)

Woody from above, Alexander Palace, London, England. 

Newcastle, England. 

Europe was a blast as well, with some pretty spectacular actions from the fans. There were some huge venues and a a few beers.... There were some lovely crowds as well, like fans coordinating to have hundreds of signs and a really impressive flashlight display in Oblivion.

Kyle having a laugh in Amsterdam, Holland. 

The US Tour

This continued during the US tour. One of the coolest parts of the series of tours this year has been the transformation in Bastille in the US. I wasn’t along for the previous Bastille US tours, but they were all on the smaller side. After all the hard work, the band has started seeing massive success in America, including being voted the “most anticipated act at Coachella.” Absolutely mind-blowing.

Dan takes a look at the small gathering at Edgefest, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Getting ready for Emo's in Austin, Texas, USA.

Coachella.... this was just nuts. USA.

Game face time with Will, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Chest banging good times in Tempe, Arizona, USA.

I also did a bit of filming and photo shoots of the band doing some studio stuff on the road. I can’t share more details, but let me just say that this band works damn hard. When they’re not performing or doing promos (plus a bit of goofing around), they’re working on their music and getting ready for more work to come. It’s an inspiration to be along for the ride.

And more tours to come…

The 2014 Bad Blood tour so far has taken me from Cape Town to Manchester to London, from Prague to Paris to Milan, from Los Angeles to Nashville. It’s taken me on a Segway tour (Was ace!) and a private tour through NASA in Houston plus a load of other stuff like 'pogo dancing' in a Nashville dive bar while real cowboys danced with their ladies. I shot huge gigs and tired backstage moments, and got some footage I absolutely can’t wait to share with everyone. It is some of my best. Photos I never knew I could get.  Photo I always wanted to take. Was just the best. 

The photos I’m releasing with this blog post are a bit smaller in number than usual. I’m going to have to wait for your patience—I promise there’s more coming soon.

Until then, thanks for the great tour and your messages everyone! I hope to catch you back on the road soon.

Spot of shopping in Austin, Texas, USA.