Jun
09
Ronington this year was a little more stressful to organise after the infamous “Beast from the East” covered the region in snow and meant having to cancel the show. After regrouping, booking a few different bands and making sure everything was in place it was show time on June 2nd. Crowd numbers were sadly down on previous years, a combination of the postponement, holiday season etc but those who did attend witnessed 8 fantastic bands and a solo artist who all gave up their time for this worthwhile event. Thanks to all of the bands, Bakerland studios for proving the backline and all those who helped on the day and in the months preceding. Lots of photos taken, lots edited and lots more to follow.
See the first batch of photographs by clicking here.
The second and final batch of photographs are now ready to view, click here to see them.
PLEASE NOTE – All images are Copyright © 2018 – Please do not use any images without permission and/or purchasing a license.
If any of the bands would like copies of the photos just message me and I will send them to you.
Apr
21
Tees Valley Arts hosted a fantastic charity fundraiser at ARC Theatre in Stockton and Star Shots were invited along to capture the event. The evening started with a mind blowing performance by local singer/songwriter Elizabeth Liddle who sang and played piano to a mesmerised audience and received a standing ovation at the end of her set. The followed acapela group Hedwen who have been on the scene for 25 years and gave some great renditions of some classics along with some self written material.
The stars of the show Groovetrain then followed and gave one of the best performances yet, they just seem to get better all the time. Catch them at a local show or a summer festival.
To see the photographs from the show please click here.
Apr
15
A night of world class magic, comedy and variety with some of the UK’s top magicians, illusionists and variety acts.
The show was at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House and was hosted by the Northern Magic Circle.
Featuring:
- Kennedy – ‘that mind reader guy!’
- Steven Bridges – the magician with 20 million views on YouTube
- Graeme Shaw – award winning magician
- Craig Petty – from ‘Slighty Unusual’
- Cal Halbert – the man of a thousand voices!
- James Phelan – Magic trickster
- Plus dancers from the Kathleen Davis Stage School
To see the rest of the photographs from the evening please click here.
Apr
02
A day of live bands at Morpeth Riverside. I didn’t get there in time to see the first 2 bands but had a great time watching Flux Capacitor, H.E.D, Skullduggery and This Machine. Great venue for live music.
To see the rest of the photos click here
PLEASE NOTE – All images are Copyright © 2018 – Please do not use any images without permission and/or purchasing a license.
Mar
27
It been around 7 or 8 years since my last visit to Beamish so it was time to return. I’d always made the mistake of rushing around trying to see everything in one day so this time it was a more relaxed visit covering just the pit village and home farm areas. The next day of nice weather will see me return to visit more of the museum.
See the rest of the images from my visit be clicking here
PLEASE NOTE – All images are Copyright © 2018 – Please do not use any images without permission and/or purchasing a license.
Oct
08
When your invited to shoot an act at The Tyne Theatre and Opera House in Newcastle it’s an easy answer – “yes please”. When there are 10 acts performing it’s even better. Geordie magician Chris Cross organised another fantastic show this year with well over 4 hours of entertainment from singers, magicians, burlesque and Martyn Crofts from Britains Got Talent and geordie legend Bobby Pattinson also making an unexpected appearance. Star Shots were there to capture the show.
See all of the photographs from the show by clicking here
PLEASE NOTE – All images are Copyright © 2017 – Please do not use any images without permission and/or purchasing a license.
Oct
02
This was my 2nd visit to Whitley Bay Playhouse, the first being to see the Temperance Movement and I loved the atmosphere and general hospitality of this great venue. When I spotted local band Ultimate Bowie where playing there I managed to get permission to shoot the show, and what a show.
Now to save writing a full review i decided to steal one and who better to review the show than Geordie Waters, top local drummer, here’s his thoughts :-
“Well….what can I say about last night, in Whitley Bay…at the Ultimate Bowie show.
I’ve seen a lot of brilliant artist’s,performing wonderful music over the years, but Ed Blaney’s performance and portrayal of David Bowie’s music and personae was mind blowing. I’m a Bowie fan…right back from Starman, on Top of the Pops, in the early 70’s, and Ed completely owned the gig, last night. No cheese, or messing about…just full on quality, with the band kicking into the Ziggy start of the set with the passion of the Spiders….a top set of seasoned players, who were a million miles ahead of just ” a backing band ”. We were third row, centre, and the pa sound was just perfect….big, strong, warm, balanced….a great job done by Smoulty and the chaps.
But….Blaney?? What a voice…Eyes shut…it WAS Bowie singing….eyes open…all the mannerisms….all the moves…all the COOL. And….delivered with a respect and dignity, deserving to a great…lost…artist, from a guy who is obviously a long-term fan. Just a brilliant night….gig….show, and if you like Bowie music…you’ve got to see this.
Last words…..it’s the first time….in a long time….that I’ve watched a drummer, and thought…”you lucky bastaad” 
playing those songs…..and….as a drummer, he is a lovely player.
We’ll be back again….. Gxx”
So back to the photos – click here to see them all
PLEASE NOTE – All images are Copyright © 2017 – Please do not use any images without permission and/or purchasing a license.
Sep
18
The Shitkickers Ball sounds like a bit of a strange event but all you need to know is that it’s a charity event held yearly at The Cluny in Newcastle to raise money for St Oswald’s Hospice – that’s good enough for me !
So 4 top bands and a host of crew gave up their time to play to a packed out Cluny and I was there to capture the action. Hope the photos do the bands justice – all gave 100%.
First band – H.E.D – A band from Ashington who have been on the scene for many years, have a load of albums of original material that could compete with some of the world’s top bands. See them at Ronington next year! For now see the photos here.
Second band – The Pistoleros – a band with a huge local following that blow you away with their polished virtuoso covers of rock and pop songs that you rarely hear performed today along with some classic rock standards. Another band that you can see at Ronington next year. See the photos here.
Third Band – STAN – A band i’ve seen many times since my introduction as sound engineer for them at a gig at Bubbles. STAN continue to excite every audience they perform for with their self penned power pop anthems and heart wrenching ballads. Songs you won’t know but feel you know and have an instant attraction to. There’s a bit of a theme here but this is another band who have kindly agreed to play at Ronington next year. See the photographs here.
Finally – Groovetrain – are the premier Soul and R’n’B outfit of the area who’ll knock you out with their imaginative arrangements of classic numbers. A band I have worked with several time shooting videos in both the studio and live in Stockton and Kendal, an amazing band of highly professional musicians. See the photos here.
PLEASE NOTE – All images are Copyright © 2017 – Please do not use any images without permission and/or purchasing a license.
Sep
09
This is the event that I look most forward to shooting every year. This is the event where you meet up with old friends and leave with new friends. When the weather is nice and the booked bands are all bands you want to see it makes for another unforgettable weekend. I took way too many photos and therefore I’ve posted way too many photos but I know the band’s like to see them as it’s often the highlight of their year too. Click on the links to see each album.
Friday
Saturday
Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons
Jul
30
Always been a fan of this band so when they are playing in your home town and it’s in a proper theatre with the full lighting and pyro show you know you have to be there to capture the action. A fantastic night was had by all who were there and what a great venue for live music. Enjoy the photos.
See the full set of images here