Have any music togs shot at Rock City?

digitalfailure

digitalfailure

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I'm going to relive my youth soon by going to a gig at Nottingham's rock City venue, I have managed to get a photo pass but could do with an idea of what kit to take.

Hope someone can help.

:)
 
Have you shot there before?

I found a video on you tube that looks like it was filmed from a balcony ???

How far back is it? I use the 5d2 too, so focal length in terms of real full frame reach is helpful.
 
There is a balcony that's normally one of the better places to watch from (if its open and you're avoiding the moshing...).

Would have thought with a photo pass though you'd be able to get right in front of the stage? Might be worth giving them a call to check
 
sometimes the foh sound desk is a decent place to shoot from if you're friendly enough and tell the tech you're not going to get in the way/bring him a wispa :)

(not that i've shot at rock city before so don't know where they put theirs)
 
Never shot there, but when attending gigs there in the past the togs were shooting from the secutity pit in front of the stage.
 
Not shot at Rock City, but Shot at the Rescue Rooms round the corner.

You will be allowed in front of the barrier before the stage if you have a photo pass (and presuming the band are large enough to warrant it). If it is a metal band you may have to keep your wits about you, as people may be crowd surfing and security will be dragging them over into the area you are shooting from.

This is where the tip always be cool with security comes in. They can make sure you don't get a foot to the head, or let a crowd surfer heading in your direction surf on through to the back of your neck.

Email the guy who sorted your pass for you or ring the venue if you are really unsure. Better to be honest rather than ending up not getting the best shots on the night.

Lighting is the same as any venue, can be good can be terrible. Depends on what the band are wanting. Last week I shot a band in a major venue where 60th f2.8 at 6400 was not getting enough light. Same venue I have shot at iso 800 80th f4.
 
I can shoot for the entire 3 hour performance a :)

Not sure if rock city has a photo / security pit, images i can see on the net lead me to believe it's a small to medium sized venue.

The balcony looks an ideal place to get a few shots of the entire stage with some silhouetted crowd in the foreground.
 
I'd love to give some advice.

Rock City was my most favourite place (circa 1980+) but I have never been there sober so can't remember the layout of the place.:$:)

Lisa
 
so bump from the bar,slide down a few walls,rock out abit,kebab & taxi,Classic night out,used go to the Highway Man in cheadle staffs,same thing,got lost inside there many times
 
I've shot there a few times in the (distant) past, although not with a photo pass.

There is a space about a meter wide between the barriers and the stage and as has been indicated before this can be a risky spot for the heavier bands and is often fairly well populated with security.

There is a balcony directly in front of the stage that extends the entire width. To shoot from here you will need the 70-200mm probably at 200mm for any peformer close ups.

There is also a stairway up to the balcony on both sides of the stage - the right side is a straight set of stairs coming down towards the stage (well, the right speaker stack tbh). About 1/3 of the way up there is an excellent place for some profile shots of the band.
The other side of the balcony the stairs have a bend in them with a landing about half way up - this is also a fairly good viewing spot to give the opposite profiles as it is also about in front of the speakers.

I believe the balcony railing is still the same - heavy rail along the top but there is a gap below this - the roof is nice and high these days so none of the lights that used to get in the way will be such a problem from up there.

Cripes I'd love a go at shooting there again on a legit basis! brings back some memories!
 
There is more than one venue room at Rock City, so your kit depends on which room you are in. If it's the big one, then as already said, there is a large balcony and you will need a long lens...but do you really want shots of tops of heads?

If you are close to the stage, whether in a pit or not, go for a wide angle and as you have FF camera the 24-70mm should be fine. As others have said, smile nicely to the security guys and make sure they understand you are allowed to shoot for the whole gig. I had that permission once from a band, but security over-ruled it and chucked me out after 3 songs.

Have fun and remember your ear defenders!
 
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isn't that W.A.S.P. ?
 
I got permission from the band and rock city, they've both mailed me to say they have a photo pass waiting for me :)

Thanks for the advice guys, it's a real help as I'd like to go without a big bag full of kit.
 
I've been in the pit at rock city a few times
personally I use 1.4 primes, 50mm on your sensor.
lighting is strobing and quite random
standard 3 songs of a set to shoot
you can get to the balcony afterwards but it'll be cramped!
also the staff are a mixed bag
got there to pick up my photopass, which I'd phoned ahead to check it was actually there
got there...press pass..not camera.
had to blag it with the kerrang tour manager...nice fella!
 
Cheers :thumbs:

I have permission to shoot the entire show ( acoustic set first and then a full throttle set) so that should give enough time to move around and shoot from as many positions as possible.

Got names from the band management and Rock City and emails saved to iphone to wave about if the pass isn't there :D
 
Be prepared for that being the case. Half the time your pass is not there, and some people can be difficult when you ask them to sort it. As with the bouncer rule, be nice and remember it is not their fault, someone more than likely just forgot to add your name to the list.

It feels a bit silly sometimes having to wait while people check you are genuine and who you say you are, but it is part of the deal. Just keep cool and ask if they check it out with management for you. Have memorised the name of the contact who sorted your pass as this will probably save the need for having to show your emails etc.
 
Who you going to see/take photos?
There will be a bit at the front for you, you won't be in the pit getting barged about.
Can't recall ever seeing anyone taking photos from further back using zoom etc at any venue, and I've been to plenty.
 
coling said:
Can't recall ever seeing anyone taking photos from further back using zoom etc at any venue, and I've been to plenty.
Click to expand...

I have seen it more than once at Rock City and done it myself - but the balcony and stairs are perfect for that.
 
I shot from up on the balcony with the 70-200 and from the sides with the same lens. Inside the security barrier I used the 24-70.

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan gig photography is difficult !!
I shoot manual and my shutter speed was up and down like a fiddlers elbow :eek:
Mainly stayed on iso 3200 though. Next time i'm gonna give Av mode a try and let the camera do some of the work.

The band was New Model Army.
 
digitalfailure said:
I shot from up on the balcony with the 70-200 and from the sides with the same lens. Inside the security barrier I used the 24-70.

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan gig photography is difficult !!
I shoot manual and my shutter speed was up and down like a fiddlers elbow :eek:
Mainly stayed on iso 3200 though. Next time i'm gonna give Av mode a try and let the camera do some of the work.

The band was New Model Army.
Click to expand...


cool
and yes it is difficult sometimes.
 
digitalfailure said:
I shot from up on the balcony with the 70-200 and from the sides with the same lens. Inside the security barrier I used the 24-70.

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan gig photography is difficult !!
I shoot manual and my shutter speed was up and down like a fiddlers elbow :eek:
Mainly stayed on iso 3200 though. Next time i'm gonna give Av mode a try and let the camera do some of the work.

The band was New Model Army.
Click to expand...

Glad it went well. Look forward to seeing some pics! Av/Tv modes are OK but can cause as many problems as they create as they will not pick up lighting and you can end up with a lod of either blown or underexposed shots. 3200 for a band like New Model Army sounds about right,

My standard starting setting (apart from big name stadium gigs) are iso 3200, 1/125th of a second and f4. Always a good place to start and work from there.

If you think it is difficult to work when you are able to shoot the whole gig, try three songs and out you go (or at least your camera). It is the best rush ever shooting live bands, but it is high pressure and sometimes in the lap of the gods (well the lighting technicians anyways).
 
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Yup, I had the 3 songs at the start of the second set, totally different to shooting from in the wilds as the light was much more intense and the distance between the lights and the band reduced. Also shooting upwards was a challenge :D
 
New Model Army - brilliant!!! They were doing 2 nights werent they?
You going to be showing any of your pics?
 
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