Corinbank 2009 - Day Three

The Final day of what turned out to be a fantastic weekend. Even better than last years Corinbank in my opinion. I slept in today as I went to a party last night after I left the festival. I arrived just in time to see last years Corinbank favourite, Darren Hanlon. Last year his performance slot was disrupted by Xavier Rudd's crew setting up for his performance later in the evening. So in a spur of the moment thing, he decided to perform his set on the grass in front of the stage. Surrounded by the audience. A truly magical and memorable moment from last years festival.

This year, the organisers promised him a stage and "electricity" as Darren put it. He performed a lot of his popular songs and a few new ones, supported by a lady who decided to take photos of me taking photos of her. Definately something that doesn't happen that often.

After a while, Darren kept up the tradition and moved onto the grass to perform his last song. Again, surrounded by the audience. Met with loud applause and the time needed to set up for the next band, he continued to play more songs, much to the delight of the crowd.

Darren Hanlon

After Darren, I heard about an impending "Gorilla Gig" by "The Cashews". A "Gorilla Gig" is something that has become a mainstay of a the band. Performing on the spur of the moment in random places around town. Usually people finding out by means of an SMS just prior.

This "Gorilla Gig" was going to be held in last years, Kitchen/Bar up the other end of the festival grounds. A crowd of about 100 or so gathered around and inside the building to listen to their last performance as a band for the indefinate future.

It was a very emotional performance from the band, with the audience coming along for the ride.

I left just before the end to shoot "The Andi & George Band" but I have been told that they finished by wandering down to the main stage, playing their instruments, with the audience walking behind.

Today was also the end of another band, the ever popular "The Andi & George Band". They have grown to become a hugely popular band in Canberra and indeed all over Australia. It was a fantastic performance, all the band were obviously having a really great time and they were even joined on stage by two girls that stole the audience's and indeed all the photographers hearts by playing percussion and also singing along with Andi and Alice Cottee.

I left just after they finished playing. It was another fantastic festival and I can't wait till next years that I hope will be even better. Part of me wants more people to come to help with finances etc, but another part of me wants it to stay as it is for us lucky people that know about this great festival.

Heaps of photos to come!

Corinbank 2009 - Day Two

Day Two at Corinbank was fantastic.

I got there just after lunch, in time to see Mal Webb on the main stage. That man is an amazingly talented musician. Playing so many instruments, it's crazy.

Today I spent a lot of time at the smaller, "Gibraltar Grove Stage", set deeper into the trees up a hill. I managed to check out a few really talented bands, such as "The Ellis Collective", "The Cashews" (Playing their last gig for what is going to be a long time), "The Beez" from Germany, and "The Fuelers".

I was so impressed by the "The Ellis Collective", "The Cashews" and "The Beez" that I ended up buying CD's from all of them.

"The Beez" were a crazy band from Germany. Playing wacky cover versions of popular music. Their banter in-between songs was also hillarious.

On the main stage I managed to catch "Friendly Yen", joined by members of "Casual Projects", "Blue King Brown", "Resin Dogs Sound System" and "Casual Projects."

Blue King Brown

Part of the day was spent relaxing in the "Chai By The River" tent with Paddy, Lisa and Thommo. We sat and chatted while listening to music, drinking Chai and eating cookies. It is a fantastic spot by the river full of beanbags, pillows and sofas. All contained under a rather large silk parachute. It was a "Shoes Off" venue, as is a few of the other inside venues around Corinbank.

I drove home just at the end of the "Casual Projects" set. Their last before they move down to Melbourne. They will be missed here in the National Capital. Best of luck to the boys!!

It was another great day down in the forrest, the weather was great, the people were friendly and the music was fantastic. Bring on Day Three!

Corinbank 2009 - Day One

I just got home from the first day of Corinbank 2009, and what a fun start to the festival it was. I caught up with Lisa whom I haven't seen in ages, we walked around and checked out the sights then decided to go see Tableaux Vivants production of "Temporal Vivants" which literally translates to "Living Pictures". We put down out cameras for an hour and sat down to do some life drawing of people plucked from the Corinbank crowd who were put into poses/scenes by Tableaux creator, Min Mae.

Dinner followed and consisted of some koftas in a tomato sauce.

We then caught up with Paddy and went to see Le Petit Sideshow's; Petite Freak show. It was great as usual, and I managed to get some good shots I think.

The night ended with a trip to "The Bawdeville Allsorts Burlesque" show. It was fantastic. There were three acts, each one very different. Lisa, Paddy and Myself sat ourselves down on the bench at the back of the tent with all our 70-200mm lenses at the ready.

Just before I left I managed to catch a completly crazy but very cool band called; "Juke Baritone & The Swamp Dogs".

All in all, it was a fantastic start to the weekend. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get hold of a tent in time. (Mine is missing) So I wasn't able to camp which is a shame. Getting to go home every night to a warm bed however, is a plus.

More news tomorrow about Day Two, and If I have time, I'll upload a few photos.

Simply Red @ The Royal Theatre

Mick Hucknall of Simply Red.

(It May not be the sharpest of photos, but this one is the quintessential "Simply Red" pose.)

Tonight I had the opportunity to shoot one of the earliest bands I can remember listening to; "Simply Red". The concert was on at the Royal Theatre.

It was the usual 2 song, no flash rule, however this time I was shooting from "on stage" off to one side. This was a first and provided a great spot to take some great photos. Amazingly I was the only photographer there for some strange reason. I would have at least expected maybe somebody from The Canberra Times to be there.

"Maddy" - Impromtu Photoshoot #1

I was talking to my friend Maddy the other day and she thought of the interesting idea to do some "Impromptu photoshoots". Basically the idea is this: Either of us can decide to do a photoshoot at any time and, if we are both free, we will choose a spot and go take some photos.

Today we did such a shoot. I messaged her in the afternoon and we met up in Glebe Park to take some photos. We then ended up going for a drive to Belconnen to take a few more near the lake. It was a lot of fun and we managed to get some great photos.