NME Big Gig at The O2, and being a useless Pap

Tobers · 29-02-2008, 11:01 AM

I took my daughter and her friend to the NME "Big Gig" last night at the O2 Arena. Of course I took my camera bag as well with a view to doing some more external night-time architecture shots.

As it transpired, I ended up taking a few pics of some celebs, but was deeply handicapped that I didn't know who most of them were.

#1 This chap for example. I suspect he is Carl Barat of Dirty Pretty Things and a mate of Pete Doherty but not too sure...

#2 I do know now that this is Mike Bailey who plays Sid in Skins. He was absolutely hammered and seemed to be loving the attention from swarms of teenage girls. I managed some decent shots of him which I've put up to Scoopt.

#3 One thing about having a mahoosive camera & flash is that you get lots of lovely ladies coming up chatting to you. I'd claim it is my natural animal magnetism but this is doubtful! I also received free beer (shame I was driving). Example of ladies...

#4 Also did some general pics. Here are some strange glowing balls

#5 And some people passing a curious display of things found on the site

All in all, a fun night. Once I'd quizzed my daughter on the names of the remaining "celebs" I captured, I zapped a bunch of them onto Scoopt just for fun. There were quite a few "paps" about and I was amazed how the celebs, who were mostly C and D listers, played up to them. What a bonkers industry it is!

Cheers

Tobers

salubrious_k · 29-02-2008, 11:25 AM

Love that last one.

If the first guy is a mate of Pete Doherty, you're lucky you still have your camera! (Okay weird comment, but a friend of mine had her ipod stolen by a mate of Pete Doherty's, who was using the fact that they'd been distracted by him being in the pub with them, to have a rifle through her handbag. Grrr!)

willykatie · 29-02-2008, 11:38 AM

Good photos there, did you use external flash?

The last one is really good

Tobers · 29-02-2008, 11:41 AM

Ta - external flash (580ex) on the people ones in ETTL II mode, camera on P, and no flash on the last 2.

MrChris · 29-02-2008, 7:36 PM

It is indeed Mr Barat ... and lucky your daughter ... by the time I'd seen who was on the lineup it had sold out

Carl Barat and Pete Doherty were chums from college I think? They started The Libertines together ... Pete got addicted to crack and heroin so went to rehab ... Carl said "sort yourself out - we're off on tour without you" ... so Pete broke into his flat and robbed an old guitar and an NME award ...

That little story linked together everyones post

I like your photos of the arena ... it's a really photogenic location ... just bloody freezing!