Category: Music Photography

Forest Live Concerts postponed until 2022

Covid roadmap from lockdown halts Forest Live as concerts are postponed until 2022

A set of outdoor summer concert series presented by Forestry England, where acts perform in spectacular woodland locations around the country has been postponed to 2022. The news has come as a blow to music fans of all ages, who were looking forward to attending a set of four concerts held in the stunning grounds of Thetford High Lodge. The relaxed concerts draw huge crowds some of the most nature based venues you’ll find in the UK.

Forest Live is a major outdoor live music series held in June that introduces forests to new audiences in unique, natural woodland arenas around the country. Over 1.9 million people have attended the woodland gig over the last twenty years, enjoying great music and supporting the nation’s forests when buying a ticket. Going to a concert helps Forestry England create beautiful places for people to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees. Every year they plant some 8 million trees sustainably, caring for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests and welcoming 230 million visits annually.

Forestry England released a statement today that read:

“The Government’s roadmap out of lockdown has made it clear that we cannot hold our Forest Live concerts this summer. We are extremely disappointed, but this is the best way to keep our valued customers safe, as well as the staff, volunteers, contractors and artists that make the events possible. We look forward to welcoming fans to see their favourite artists performing in the nation’s forests next year. We are delighted to confirm that all headline acts have been able to reschedule all their performances and will be joining us in June 2022. All bookings remain valid for the 2022 dates and customers will be contacted by their point of purchase. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

“We would like to send our deepest apologies to everyone who was hoping to come to a Forest Live gig this summer. We can’t wait to experience the best live music in our beautiful forests with you next year and thank you very much for your continued support.”

The annual events have ben hosted in seven forest venues throughout the UK since 2000 as part of an initiative to bring new audiences into forests and encourage people to see their woodlands. The high profile concerts are family orientated and audiences cover every conceivable age. Over the years, the woodland concerts have attracted international artists and bands including the likes of Tom Jones, Stereophonics, Elbow, Paloma Faith, Paul Weller, The Script and Gary Barlow.

The music industry has been hit badly by Covid-19 as major public gatherings were forced to abandon in the spring of 2019. International artists from Pearl Jam to the Rolling Stones and Post Malone to Liam Gallagher were forced to cancel concerts, festival appearances and world tours. As summer 2021 approaches, the coronavirus pandemic has effectively put the multibillion-pound concert industry on indefinite pause. When Glastonbury Festival doesn’t go ahead, everybody in the industry tends to follow. There is however, great news on the horizon. Forestry England have already delivered their 2022 Concert Schedule with further acts to be announced.

Full listing of confirmed dates for Forest Live 2022:

Keane

Friday 10 June: Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Glos.

Saturday 11 June: Cannock Chase Forest, near Rugeley, Staffs.

Friday 17 June: Thetford High Lodge, near Brandon, Suffolk.

Saturday 18 June: Delamere Forest, near Northwich, Cheshire.

Rag‘n’Bone Man

Thursday 9 June: Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Glos.

Friday 10 June: Cannock Chase Forest, near Rugeley, Staffs.

Thursday 16 June: Thetford High Lodge, near Brandon, Suffolk.

Jess Glynne

Thursday 9 June: Cannock Chase Forest, near Rugeley, Staffs.

Sunday 12 June: Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Glos.

Sunday 19 June: Thetford High Lodge, near Brandon, Suffolk.

Madness

Saturday 11 June: Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Glos.

Saturday 18 June: Thetford High Lodge, near Brandon, Suffolk.

Doves

Sunday 19 June: Delamere Forest, near Northwich, Cheshire.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY?

Have you ever fancied getting behind the lens and embarking on a career as a professional Music Photographer? Then why not head over to our informative article all about Music, Photos and more!

At Blanc Creative, we offer a full service of Music Photography and Festival Video Production services for concerts, Events and Music Festivals of all sizes. To find out more about how we can professionally make your concerts and festivals look even more awesome with creative images and film, then reach out and talk to our team today on Tel: 07871 364041 or email: studio@blanc-creative.com

Paul Weller Concert Photography 2019

Concert Photography. Paul Weller performs at High Lodge 2019

2019 marks our six year anniversary shooting Concert Photography for the national and International Press. In 2013, as a huge fan of Paul Weller, I’d almost begged my very good friend and then Picture Editor of Norwich’s Archant Newspaper, Steve Adams, if he would let me shoot the concert. He agreed and so began an affinity of Music Photography that would forever fuel the need to photograph Concert Photography. I’d been operating as a part time photographer and full time Police Sergeant, but the opportunity to combine creative imagery of The Modfather, one of the most influential and legendary British Music Artists of all time, was amazing.

Paul Weller in Concert at Concert at Thetford High Lodge in 2013

Fast forward to Concert Photography 2019

I already look back on what is a wonderful career shooting music and a Concert Photography. My portfolio ranges from Robbie Williams, Tom Jones, Muse, Taylor Swift and Coldplay to name just a handful of successful artists. I grew up listening to P{aul Weller and there;’s something particularly special about photographing your music heroes. Particulary, when they are playing a real forest. For the sixth consecutive year I was assigned the humbling role as the official Photographer for Forestry England.

Paul Weller stepped out onto the stage at Thetford High Lodge Friday night at High Lodge in front of 9000 fans on a beautiful midsummer’s night.Weller repaid the loyalty with a gig out of the very top drawer. He and every member of his band were simply magnificent. With a career spanning 42 years, his voice remains amazingly powerful and untainted. Concert Photography at at a Paul Weller concert ids always an enjoyable experience, with great lighting from the first song and Weller took fans on a journey through his years of producing a wide range of superb music from Strange Museum off his first solo album to What You Give Is What You Get, Move On Up and That’s Entertainment from his Jam days.

No Weller Gig would be complete without his guitarist of choice, Steve Cradock. A former member of the rock band Ocean Colour Scene who also plays bass, drums, and keyboards, Steve Cradock has toured with Paul Weller for what seems to have been a lifetime. Cradock joined Weller’s band in 1992, having supported him with Ocean Colour Scene. Cradock has appeared on all studio albums by Weller, playing the guitar and other instruments.

The crowd was treated to an excellent support act set by Stone Foundation. The R&B band is touring the summer outdoor series with Weller and recorded their latest album in his studio, and he has appeared on several of their tracks. There are clear influences from Weller – especially from his Style Council days – in Stone Foundation’s material and will be well worth seeing when they come to Norwich’s Waterfront in November.

To view more Professional Concert Photography, why not head over to our BIG BLOG Page where you’ll find Concert Photography of many artists including Noel Gallagher, Kasabian and a great article about The Real World of Music Photography

Noel Gallagher Concert. Music Photography Norwich

A High Flying Birds concerts sold out Norwich’s outdoor Earlham Park venue as once again, Sunday Sessions headed back to Norfolk. Noel marked his first appearance on stage in Norwich for over 25 years. Crowds braved a mixture of torrential downpours and bright sunshine over the bank holiday weekend to watch the Oasis front man perform with his High Flying Birds. Gallagher’s latest album was evidence as he performed a number of tracks including his latest single Black Star Dancing. Sunday Sessions is a first class music festival with an explosive line-up of entertainment that once again turned Earlham Park into a music venue hosting a crowd of 15,000 Fans.

If you were unlucky enough to miss out on the Norwich Noel Gallagher Concert and fancy heading off to watch The High Flying Birds perform live, then you may have to dig deep into your pockets. The band worldwide tour runs through until November 2019 concluding in Bangkok.

“Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds are an English rock band formed in 2010 as the solo moniker of former Oasis lead guitarist/songwriter Noel Gallagher. The band originates from Manchester and includes former Oasis session pianist Mike Rowe, drummer Jeremy Stacey of The Lemon Trees, The Zutons bassist Russell Pritchard and guitarist Tim Smith. The band also varies guests on their debut album such as the Crouch End Festival Chorus and The Wired Strings. Since his split from Oasis in August 2009 many speculated that Gallagher might record a solo album. In July 2011, he held a press conference to confirm that this was the case, after denying rumours from his brother Liam Gallagher that he had already heard the tracks featured on it. He also explained that he would be collaborating with Amorphous Androgynous for a second album that is due for release in 2012. The singles for Gallagher’s debut album are “The Death of You and Me”, “If I Had a Gun”, “AKA… What a Life!” and “”Dream On””. AKA… What a Life! made its debut on a Vauxhall television advertisement.to

At Blanc Creative, we’ve been shooting professional music photography, festival photography and high profile concerts for almost a decade. It’s not the first time they’ve photographed a Noel Gallagher concert. The Norfolk Based Music Photographer Lee Blanchflower, had the pleasure of photographing the international star at a Noel Gallagher Concert at London’s O2 Arena in 2015. We’re passionate about Concert Photography and would love to hear from you if you would be interested in our Event Photography or Music Photography services.

Blanc commercial creative Norwich photography

Festival Video Production. Forest Live

Festival Video Production

Festival video production is about engaging those customers who have attended your concert or festival and setting the scene for future years. Contrary to public belief, it’s not about grabbing a few minutes of headline acts during their set. After all, unless the artist is booked again for the next year, this type of footage has a pretty limited life span. High quality Festival Video Production highlights the atmosphere and fun but also helps to promote future festivals. Video is proven to be the highest form of engagement currently on social media and forms an awesome marketing tool for engaging growth on social media platforms. It’s also a great way to direct people to your business and website.

The concept of Festival Video Production isn’t new, especially with thousands of people uploading smart phone videos of their festival experiences, but high quality Festival Video Production takes your event to the next level. We’ve been working closely with Forestry Commission over the past five years and in 2018, undertook the first promotional Concert Video Production of Forest Live 2018.

Forest Live Concerts

Forest Live is an independent programme organised by the Forestry Commission, bringing you music without commercial branding or sponsorship. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on improving the local forests for both people and wildlife. With everything required for a great night out, including full catering and bar facilities, the concerts are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere.

How does it work?

Or team has a lots of experience in the area of Video Production. Our process starts with planning your video. It’s important that we gain an insight of exactly how you’d like your production to look. We could shoot a huge amount of content of your festival or concert, but a little knowledge of your vision is an important first step before we film. Your ideas will also allow to work with you to ascertain the level of access we require on-site and to allow for all Health & Safety Assessments to be completed long before we arrive to start work.

Once we’ve shot your awesome Festival Video, we begin the process of editing in our studio. We would usually deliver a teaser trailer, that would fit perfectly on social media sites, grabbing the attention of your audience and directing them to the site where you main video would be hosted.

Forest Live Festival Video Production

Our Festival Video Production for Forestry Commission and Forest Live was shot over four days with an emphasis on a number of key areas that make Forest Live Concerts unique;

*Forest Live Concerts are held in the most beautiful of Forests and are organised by Forestry Commission. The Concerts are hidden gems in the festival calendar. The BBC actually took great pleasure in announcing that Kasabian had played an Event ‘in an actual Forest’

*The concerts are a ‘Family orientated’ series of Events that encourage everybody from toddlers to grandparents to attend.

*An emphasis on a well structured, professional set of concerts, where staff are approachable, promoting a safe environment for every type of individual to attend.

Aerial Drone Filming

At Blanc Creative, we operate a licensed Drones to capture Aerial Footage of Festivals and Concerts. Festival Video Production using a Drone is not as expensive as you may think and from a creative aspect, drone footage allows a completely different aspect of your Event with spectacular birds eye views. There are lots of safety implications and restrictions flying at festivals and it’s really super important that you employ a Drone Operator who is licensed, has public liability and professional indemnity insurance and has a proven track record operating commercially. To read more about Licensed Drones, we have a great article that can be found by clicking here.

To find out more about options for Concert and Festival Video Production, why not reach out today and speak with one of our team on Mob: 07871 364041 or email studio@blanc-creative.com

Thetford Forest Live Concerts 2018 from Blanc Creative on Vimeo.

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Dua Lipa Scoops First 2018 Brit Award

Dua Lipa Scoops First 2018 Brit Award

Dua Lipa is one of the Hottest UK female artists of 2018. The testament to this is her appearance at the Brit Awards 2018 where Dua Lipa scooped the first award of the night for “British Female Solo Artist.” She took to the stage and gave an acceptance speech delivering an empowering speech saying, “Here’s to more women on these stages, more women winning these awards, more women taking over the world.” Dua Lipa was the leading the nomination table for 2018, with five nominations including Best British Female, Best Single, Best Album, Best Video and Best Breakthrough Act.

The Dua of 2018 looks remarkably different to the person who graced the stage of Radio 1 Big Weekend back in the summer of 2016. Rap Artist Sean Paul delivered one of the greatest moments of Radio 1’s Big Weekend when he brought a fresh-faced brought Dua Lipa on stage in Exeter, to perform a duet. No Lie.

Big Weekend 2016 – The start of a success story

Blanc Creative were on hand to capture this awesome moment, but who was to know that within only eighteen months, Dua Lipa would be taking the world by storm with her aptly named, self-titled debut album, Dua Lipa.She has already reached a point in her still very young career that more seasoned artists have spent years striving to achieve. Dua Lipa is a rare, first-time-around award-winning success and we’ll be seeing a shed load more of her in the next few years so watch this space.

About Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa is an English singer, songwriter, and model. Her musical career began at age 14 when she began covering songs by other artists on YouTube. In 2015, she was signed with Warner Music Group and released her first single soon after.

Big Weekend Brit Awards Brit winner Dua Lipa

Isle of Wight Festival – The Weekend in Pictures

Kaiser Chiefs Live at Isle of Wight Festival

The Isle of Wight Festival is renowned as “The’ Festival that opens the UK’s Festival season every summer. The heritage of The Isle of Wight Festival stretches almost half a century and it’s stages have hosted some of the Biggest names in the history of music. Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Jay-Z, Bon Jovi, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Doors, Joni Mitchell and Bruce Springsteen. The list just goes on on and on.

The Festival is owned by John Giddings, an Isle of Wight resident and businessman as well as an established music promoter. Jon Giddings took over the Isle of Wight Festival in 2002, curating every part of the Festival. An amicable, approachable gentleman, he can be found flying around in a Golf Buggy or look after the needs of the celebrity guests backstage. His feet are firmly rooted to the Festival site and this personal attention is one of the reasons, the Isle of Wight Festival remains one of the most sought after Events of the Year.

I’m a huge believer in fate, so what better way to begin a great career as a Professional Music Photographer and Videographer. Seven years ago a commercial photography career involving concert music didn’t exist and Lee Blanchflower had never shot a band. A chance encounter on Facebook with my good friend and international drumming legend Steve Barney, led to spending some backstage time with ‘The Wanted’ and another impromptu photoshoot with a pretty much unheard of band called ‘Lawson.’ One magazine publication later and a number of locked doors opened for me as if by magic into the crazy world of ‘Three Songs, No Flash’ and a once in a lifetime chance to work in close proximity with some of the the greatest music artists on the planet. It was the start of almost a decade shooting Musivc Photography, Concert Photography & Festival Photography, before being signed up to an International Agency in 2013.

Working as a Commercial Photographer and shooting Professional Press Photography opens doors to some great working environments. We love the Isle of Wight Festival. Heading out on the Ferry is almost like traveling abroad with all of the home comforts of being in the UK. In 2017, the weather held despite some vey shady forecast and the wellington boots were dispatched to the boot of the car and replaced with bandanas and suncream. Working with a dedicated wiring assistant, we covered press imagery from Friday through to Sunday shooting for a well known Press Agency and supplying images to The Daily Mail, The Sun and a number of independent newspapers.

Every once in a while a Photographer will get a lucky a nice ‘exclusive photography set’, where nobody else gets images. We took our chance at the Isle of Wight Festival with Professional Footballer Peter Crouch & model wife, Abbey Clancy. The pair spent the weekend partying at the Isle of Wight Festival and turned up early Sunday morning to carry on partying after a late night and watch Abbey’s brother John, frontman in the band, Judas.

CLICK IMAGE TO READ FULL PETER CROUCH & ABBEY CLANCY

ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL STORY

Isle of Wight Festival Line-Up 2017

The 2017 line up was an eclectic mix of music spanning decades of musical tastes. David Guetta headlined along with Rod Stewart & Arcade Fire alongside Kaiserchiefs, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Bastille, Run DMC, Texas and many more. The Blanc Creative Team have put together a snapshot of the weekend covering some of the best moments we captured.

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Biffy Clyro Music Photography

Commercial Photography Norfolk from Blanc Creative

Biffy Clyro Photography

If there’s one good way to kick off the winter blues, it has to be heading back to the height of summer and a stroll down our music archives and a flick through our huge 2017 Festival Portfolios. For the past couple of years, Biffy Clyro has been up there as one of our favourite performances, returning this year with a jump from the more intimate Radio 6 Stage to Main Stage at Big weekend and performing a Headline set at Downlaod Festival 2017 amongst others. The Band are a pleasure to photograph, always give an awesome performance and are some of the nicest celebrities off stage as well. With Biffy Clyro you get the best of both..

Who’s Biffy Clyro

Biffy Clyro are a Scottish Rock Band made up of Simon Neil,(guitar, lead vocals), James Johnston (bass, vocals) and Ben Johnston (drums, vocals). They’ve have seven albums, with Opposites hitting the UK number-one album position. The Band have a striong fan base who have adopted ‘Mon the Biff as a well orchestrated chant while the band are on stage. well known chants among Biffy fans, usually shouted in between songs at gigs, or before the band comes on stage so where does Biffy Clyro come from. The band have been giving giving a series of stories as to how the name came about. The band once claimed they named themselves after a footballer while another story is that one of the members owned a Cliff Richard pen, i.e. “Cliffy Biro.”Simon Neil claimed that Biffy was Scotsman that built his own rocket and Ben Johnston claimed Biffy is in fact the nickname of the spy who the James Bond novels were based on. It’s a burning question and we may never get to the bottom of this intricately well woven web of stories.

About Lee Blanchflower

I’m a huge believer in fate, so what better way to begin a great career as a Professional Music Photographer and Videographer. Seven years ago ago I’d never shot a band. A chance encounter on Facebook with my good friend and international drumming legend Steve Barney, led to spending some backstage time with ‘The Wanted’ and another impromptu photoshoot with a pretty much unheard of band called ‘Lawson.’ One magazine publication later and a number of locked doors opened for me as if by magic into the crazy world of ‘Three Songs, No Flash’ and a once in a lifetime chance to work in close proximity with some of the the greatest music artists on the planet. There’s a huge demand for Music based photography and Video and it fits perfectly in the Commercial photography genre.

Biffy Clyro Blanc Creative Lee Blanchflower Limited Phpotography Music Photography press photography