Beercart Arms – I.R.I.S- Wheres Billy – Left of the Right Side (last ever gig) – Escape the Ocean

I.R.I.S
Wheres Billy
Left of the Right Side
Escape the Ocean

Well this gig at the Beer Cart Arms in Canterbury, was both epic and tinged with sadness. Every single band that played at this gig totally smashed it and put on an awesome show but it was the band Left of the Right Side last ever gig which made me (and many, many others) very sad.

First off credit has to go to Below the Radar Events and Promotions for getting a spot on line up, all bands complimented each other well and any briefly encountered technical issues from the last couple of gigs were no where in sight! Now onto the bands…

First up where Escape the Ocean, a band that plays Progressive/Math Rock and although I have only seen and photographed them as a full band on two occasions (also once as an acoustic set) they never fail to impress. The band has an incredible amount of energy on stage, so much that they actually wear me out just watching them, let alone trying to keep up with them with a camera. Vocalist/Guitarist Lee Morrison manages to fling himself around the stage and almost eat the microphone (literally) without so much as breaking out a sweat.

Escape the Ocean

Next up was the awesome Left of the Right Side. The best I’ve seen them perform but this is not surprising as it was their last gig and they were pumped for it. A Rock / Pop-Punk / Progressive band they belted out a full set and had they not been allowed to perform an encore track, I fear there would have been a lynch mob or riot. The crowd was well up for this set and both sang along to familiar tracks with smiles all over their faces and got some movement going on the floor. The screaming, chanting and clapping at the end of the set and demand for “one more song, one more song” only showed how much this band was/is loved. A little surprise for their last ever gig was also on the cards which I was lucky enough to get photographic evidence of… guitarist Shaun Taylor and drummer Matt Downes switched things up for one song… or part of a song and actually swapped instruments. This left Matt shoe less on stage playing a guitar and Shaun drumming like a loon, both of which extremely credibly I have to say. Shaun did in fact admit to me today that it was the first time he had ever drummed in front of anyone other than the band and he was terrified… you would never have known so all credit where credit is due guys. The band is splitting due to work commitments only and are still firm friends. Some of the lads are looking to start a new project in the future and I wish them all success with this and look forward to running a feature on that new project… stay in touch lads, you’ve been a joy to work with!

Left of the Right Side

So moving onto Wheres Billy, an amazing rock band that traveled from Tunbridge Wells to play this gig. They performed at the Beer Cart Arms back at the very beginning of October 2012, when I was just starting out and I didn’t really manage to get any decent shots of them, not this time I’m so very glad to say! I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed their set and they were a pleasure to do photography for. Some real powerful, strong songs and vocals came off stage with stage presence to match and great interaction with the crowd.

Wheres Billy

Last but not least, as they say, was the evenings headline act, I.R.I.S. An Alternative Rock / Post-Hardcore band from Deal signed to Engineer Records these guys never disappoint. I’ve only photographed them on two occasions, one of which was in fact last night and wow… couldn’t possibly be bored in any way because despite working with them only a couple of weeks ago, they introduced new tracks into their set last night. Nicely performed, the energy these guys exude on stage is evident from the sweat produced and seen in the photo’s. The crowd love these guys and it’s really not hard to see why, I highly recommend you get along to a gig to see them because even the photo’s will not do their set justice!

I.R.I.S

OK, OK I know I’ve rambled a bit here tonight and this has been much, much longer than usual, but being a last ever gig and an awesome lineup and top evening, it needed a few more words than usual… so let’s get down to the stuff you expect, music, links and pics!

Here follows a very, very, did I say VERY small amount of the evenings photography. For full evening, all sets please go to the Facebook page, this gig only

IRIS – Lie For Me
Find band on Facebook
Official website
Record Label Facebook

Escape the Ocean – Exit Wound
Find band on Facebook
Official Website

Left Of The Right Side – Skyward

Find band on Facebook – they may have played their last gig but these lovely guys are bringing you one last song from their EP so keep an eye out on their page!

Wheres Billy – Aches, Pains & The Quiet Life
Find band on Facebook
And one of their music videos 🙂