Photographing at London’s O2 Arena!
It’s June 2019, and my next job sends me trekking from West to East London. I am heading to London’s O2 Arena - a prospect I am both exhilarated and intimidated by in equal measures. This is the biggest venue (by far) I have photographed in, and as I sit (for what seems like eternity) on the tube I wonder how the experience will differ: what the photographer’s pit will be like, what the backstage looks and feels like.
I arrive at the O2 and am collected by one of the security team, who leads me through the tunnel-like passages of the arena’s behind-the-scene settings. As I wait backstage, preparing my camera and choosing my lens, I can hear the enormity of the crowd beyond the curtain in front of me. This is a totally different experience to normal - myself and the other awaiting photographer are surrounded, guarded, and later guided in/out, by a small group of security. An experience that is one-part comforting and three-parts intimidating.
As the stage is opened and the first act is invited on, I too am invited behind the curtain and into the pit. As the security man leading us pulls back the curtain the great 20,000 capacity venue is unveiled to me. I follow ahead, walking underneath the enormous (in height, depth, and prestige) stage; feeling rather weak at the knees.
I am here photographing the two support acts of the night: Keelie Walker and The Rua.
First up was the US pop-star Keelie Walker. At only 15 years old Keelie commanded the 20,000 capacity venue with vibrancy and great show(wo)manship. Her music belongs to the genre of dance-pop, and is full of the idealistic romanticisation of teenage-hood, and the dreamy pop songs that come it: think love, heartbreak, friendship.
Next up are The Rua - a band of siblings who bring together vocals, guitars, a piano, and a violin to create cinematic pop music. With all three siblings being classically trained musicians, the result is a carefully crafted sound that is most realised and successful in their new single ‘Gasoline’. The Rua’s performance exuded the craftsmanship and professionalism that comes with their musical training and major success and touring around the States. It ended heart-warmingly, with lead singer Roseanna Brown revealing that the last time she was here (seeing Paramore) she vowed that the next time she returns will be to perform… and so she did!