I am Gareth Dutton. My interests include photography, videogames, contemporary fiction (a snootier way of saying "reading") and original, exciting, good music.
Which is why I'm a fan of BBC 6 Music. Which is why I attended the recent Save 6 Music protest,
held outside Broadcasting House on the 22nd May 2010. This is one of those (many) occasions where photography brings me a real sense of purpose. Of course, just attending in the first place is a great way to show solidarity and support but when I am able to work in a medium I love in order to support something I love, it gives what I'm doing a real sense of validation.
As I mention on my website, my philosophy when it comes to photography is to always strive to photograph people, things and ideas that I truly have an interest in; if you have that personal connection with the subject of your photography, it comes across in the images you create. In relation to this point, the Save 6 Music Protest was followed by a gig in a secret location, available only to those who attended the protest. Amongst the bands were The Magic Numbers, a band who I've always had a passing interest in but totally fell in love with during the gig itself. Their live performance was incredible; full of charisma and brimming with emotion and a love of music.
I respect the fact that they're cool without feeling the need to wear ridiculously fashionable clothing and have stupid, attention-seeking haircuts. I've always hated those "cool" bands who, when interviewed, sit quietly, their heads dropped or looking away from the interviewer, saying almost nothing, like a 14 year old boy sat next to a girl he likes. Hiding the fact that you dont have a personality by being deliberately unenthusiastic about everything and anything does not constitute a sense of cool to me. Maybe I feel that way because I see enthusiasm as an important part of anyone's life. Surely a terrible life would be one without enthusiasm for anything.
I have noticed that in previous blog posts, I've been putting all the images right at the end, like some massive image dustbin. I'm going to sprinkle them around a little more this time, like jerk seasoning on a prime steak (I'm vegetarian, so I have no idea why I came up with that metaphor, or is it a simile?) and show you some Magic Numbers pictures at this point. I hope you can see how my newfound enthusiasm for these guys is reflected in the images. Oh, and yes I'm aware that I'm deconstructing what I do as I do it; it's what all the cool kids are doing these days.
(click for large)
They really do have a great stage presence. Michele Stodart, the bassist, totally captivates me with her performance, she's brilliant. Not to be creepy or anything...
...anyway, let's go back in time 3 hours or so to the protest itself. It was a baking hot day and, being whiter than a bleach-drenched snowman illuminated in the headlights of an SUV, I was suffering a little. Seriously, you could point a wind-up torch at me and I'd start sweating, although that might be to do with my fear of wind-up torches.
I digress. It was wonderful to see so many people turn up in support of this station – a humming throng of enthusiasm, people who care about something, all together in one space. Several of the DJs themselves appeared to say a few words, as well as musicians who had their break on 6 Music. Comedian Ed Byrne turned up to add his thoughts, giving birth to the phrase "Yes, we should be allowed to!" as an alternative to Barack Obama's "Yes We Can" speech.
(photographer's note - save Boggins)
In addition, BBC Asian Network also attended, as this station is being similarly threatened, and provided us with some great soundbites and a bit of bhangra to dance to. This is where taking photos comes in handy, because you have a valid excuse to not dance. I'm far too long and floppy to be dancing to bhangra – everyone involved (and those not involved in close proximity) would end up terribly embarrassed.
To finish up, I'll confusingly swoosh us forwards in time again, to the start of the secret gig, where we were treated to performances by Eliza Carthy and Mirrorkicks, two very different acts that show just how diverse and wonderful BBC 6 Music really is. Those of you who have read the blog before (or indeed just by reading through this one) will know that I'm not a fan of concision, so for a change I'm going to stop talking now. Yes, right now. Thanks for reading (I use brackets a lot, don't I?).
For more images and info, be sure to visit www.garethdutton.com
No comments:
Post a Comment