After a long tiring day at work, I drove straight to Festival Hall and arrived at 6.30. Waiting half an hour to get my alloted photo pass at the box office, I then made my way round to the rear where I hoped I, and 3 other fellow photogs would be let in to begin shooting. High On Fire hit the stage a little after 7.15 – yet there was no one waiting for us to let us in. We could hear the band playing inside – but we stuck outside. Helpless. Frustrated. And might I say, a little more than just peeved off.
Such a frustrating time standing there – and no one bothering to let us in even if we were all brandishing our photo-passes. I skipped dinner for this?
I also had two free tickets to the show as well, and whilst my buddy was already inside – I couldn’t go in as I had the camera with me. So basically, we were missing the entire thing.
A little aside… a young lad approached us and told us he had met with some of the band’s earlier today, but they didn’t give him a pass. He told us he was from Columbia and a headbanger. His words, not mine. Knowing full well I had tickets on me, I asked him if he would like to go to the show. He looked at me all surprised and I literally saw his gaze become excited. I handed him the ticket and the poor fella was almost in tears. He couldn’t believe it! “This has never happened to me!” he excitedly said! And I replied… “dude, go inside! Enjoy the show!’
Felt good doing that good deed. Made me feel great inside.
Now, back to our dilemma. After pleading with the venue staff stiffs who seemed to utter the words “I know nothing” more than Sgt Schultz of Hogan’s Heroe’s fame – one finally stopped to listen, heard our case and organised for us to go inside.
He said he could take us in for the first three songs of each act, then promptly escort us back out. I tried to tell him that isn’t what the promoter told me would happen tonight. He said we could go put our cameras away and be let in. Sigh! None of us were in the mood to go and pack away our gear 3 times a night, so I think in the end – we were just thankful to be able to do what we were here for… shoot some pics!
Unbelievable. Why do I do this exactly? Isn’t this supposed to be fun?
So routinely after the allotted three songs, we would be escorted back outside.
We could hear the band playing inside, but we just sat there and waited to be let back in.
As stupid, moronic and downright degrading as this was… I did enjoy the company of my fellow photogs. Annie, Viktor & Scott – you guys rock!
Absolute pleasure meeting you all tonight – even if I have seen you all in the traps before – it was great hanging out with ya and trading some war stories!
The bands… well apart from Lamb Of God – who were in absolutely scintillating form and tore Festival Hall a new one (well, what I saw of ‘em in three songs!) – Shadow’s Fall were ok too, but I thought Devil Driver were pretty disappointing to be honest. Certainly a class or two below the performance that Lamb Of God brought to the table.
Anyway. Another gig. Another story to tell. Another slab of photos to share. (after the jump)
