It’s been a few years since I was at the iconic Brixton Academy. So, last Friday, the 6th of May, I headed into London and then South to Brixton. I managed to park just outside the venue which was a first for me and extremely convenient. I then grabbed my bags and headed inside. I didn’t bother the band prior to the gig as I know that they were a little apprehensive about this gig. After all, it was a big gig, and it was their last gig on this tour. So, I kept a very low profile and kept well out of the way. The last thing they wanted to see was a lens pointing at them in the dressing room. I was looking forward to seeing them all. My mate, and one of the greatest drummers in the world, Geoff Holroyd is the powerhouse in the band, and whilst I was driving to Brixton, I was thinking, I have known Geoff for nearly 20 years and hadn’t seen him since last summer when we were both at RAK Recording studios in St. Johns Wood, London. I was photographing the one and only, Gilbert O’Sullivan who was making a new album, and Geoff was playing drums. So, back here at Brixton, there were two support bands on before Feeder. The first band were called ‘Grungers’ and they had the unenviable task of playing to the Feeder fans who were wandering into the venue early. Saying that they went down very well, and engaged with the fans, which was nice to see. The second band were ‘The Wild Things’. They were fronted by a petite powerhouse who had a great voice, and she played guitar brilliantly and their music was fabulous. I think we might hear great things from them in the future. Again, the Feeder fans were very supportive. It looked to me like some people were singing along with them. At 9pm the lights dimmed, the crowd started cheering, and on came the incredible ‘Feeder’ at their final gig on this tour to promote their new album, Torpedo. They played most of it on Friday, and I have to say, I hadn’t heard any of it until then, and it was fantastic. I would guess I was the only person in the building who hadn’t heard Torpedo it yet. They did also sling in a couple of their big hits, ‘Buck Rogers’ & ‘Just the Way I’m Feeling’ and predictably, the crowd went mad. I have shot Feeder many times over the years and some of those gigs have been at big festivals. I have great memories of the massive festival crowds going wild when the band played those big songs. They really are one of our musical treasures and their new album, Torpedo, sounded amazing and is one to buy.
They walked off stage after I had taken a shot of them with the crowd behind them, and I could see the happiness in their eyes. They are adored by their fans and so they should be.
Here are a few photos from that gig.
