“The Dresden Dolls Mini Tour” – Melbourne - 8/1/12

The day started with another early start and a taxi drive to Sydney Airport.This time, my destination was Melbourne.

Whilst waiting in the terminal I was catching on tweets from the morning and discovered that the Dolls were going to be performing a "Ninja Gig" at the OCCUPY MELBOURNE site at 2:30pm. I was hoping I would make it in time.

After a plane, airport bus and train I made it to my hotel which was by pure fluke, a couple hundred metres from the ninja gig location.

I checked in and then made my way to the gig with cameras in hand.

I bumped into Bryan and had a quick chat about the previous nights gig, both agreeing that it was fantastic.

After a short while, the lovely Amanda Palmer rocked up with her ukelele. We chatted briefly about the hickey incident from last night and then did a quick shot for the Occupy movement.

The ninja gig was great, with a really chilled crowd and a rather impressive tree for both Amanda and Bryan to perform under and in.

Afterwards I walked back with the band to The Forum to have a quick chat with the Tour Manager to discuss an idea I had with regards to shooting the gig. I wanted to join the band on stage during their cover of "Fight For Your Right (To Party)". The previous night they were joined by the support bands and some selected members of the audience for an all out "rock fest" on stage. I thought it would be a great chance to get some different photos. Luckily the TM agreed and I was given permission to go on stage during that song.

I went back to my hotel room to organise for the nights gig. Even managing a quick nap.

The concert was fantastic again with a few different songs being performed from last night. One of which was a great cover version of "The Mercy Seat" by Nick Cave.

When it came time to go on stage I made my way up and joined the rest of the crazy crowd. It certainly was a different experience shooting on stage whilst surrounded by 20 or so people singing and dancing along.

It was another really great gig and I was once again blown away by how good the band is, performing together like they are one person, with subtle (and sometimes not to subtle) glances at each other during the gig.

I would like to personally give a huge shout out to SuperKate, AFP, BV and Jaron. Thank you all so much for making my mini photography tour so fantastic.

Can't wait to see you guys again.

"The Dresden Dolls Mini Tour" - Sydney 7/1/12

The weekend has arrived and that means its time for my mini "Dresden Dolls Photography Tour" Firstly it was off to the airport to fly to Sydney for the first of two Dresden Dolls concerts.

For this tour, their first since 2006, they are being supported by The Jane Austin Argument and The Bedroom Philosopher.

Tonight they were performing at one of my favorite venues, The Enmore Theatre in Newtown. I have seen a few concerts here but this was only the second time I have photographed at the venue.

We were lucky enough to get unlimited pit photography for the support bands and then the first 3 Dresden Dolls songs. The pit was pretty empty with only three or so in there for the support acts. By the time the Dolls started however, we had to contend with a much larger group of photographers. About 7 or 8.

Tonights concert was also being streamed live on the net so a video camera in the pit provided another interesting obstacle.

Normally after three songs you would be told to put away your camera. Not with this band, we were allowed to continue photographing from anywhere in the venue. A real treat as I managed to get some fantastic shots from behind the audience. I also had the opportunity to photograph two songs from side of stage.

It's really nice to deal with a band that respect what we do as music photographers and realise the benefit of having us there to document the concert.

The Dresden Dolls were full of energy and the band was in fine form. Both Amanda and Bryan showing how good they really are.

I had put my camera away towards the end so I could just stand and listen without worrying about taking photos. I quickly retrieved it again however and ran upstairs to find Amanda sitting on the balcony and getting up close and personal with the audience. A little too personal in one case, an overly exuberant lady decided to plant a kiss on her neck, leaving a rather spectacular hickey.

All in all, it was a really awesome gig and will definitely go down as one of my favorites.