I have to say this was the most nervous I’ve been before a shoot. I’d listened to Reel Big Fish for as long as I can remember and what a perfect opportunity to photograph them during their 20th anniversary tour! Now I know Ska isn’t to everyone’s taste but there is no denying that this was going to be one of the most interesting shoots so far.
Walking up to the academy it was obvious this was a Reel Big Fish gig; Hawaiian shirts and shorts, multi-coloured punk hair and sunglasses all the way down Oxford Road, everyone seemed really excited rushing towards Manchester Academy.
By the time I managed to get myself in there the crowd were awaiting the second support band of the night, The Skints. Now I’d done my research before I left and this band were apparently a “reggae/dub/punk/reggae fusion band” so I was intrigued as to what I would think of them. They came on stage and it was a strange mix of band members but as soon as they started playing the crowd were really into it, they had a wide range of different instruments they all played and they hyped the crowd up even more, if that was possible!
Next up was Suburban Legends which have a similar sound to Reel Big Fish; I’d seen a guy with a Suburban Legends top on so they were obviously eagerly awaited by the crowd. They actually blew my mind; I don’t know what I was expecting but it certainly was amazing! Two members were playing trombones and jumping and diving around the stage and the crowd loved every second of it, and to be honest with you, so did I! The lead singer was crazy and it really set the mood for the gig.
When Reel Big Fish appeared the crowd were screaming so loud it was deafening, that’s the type of reaction you’ll get out of people who are fans of this music. They played an astounding 23 songs and the crowd never tired for a moment during any of it! They pull funny faces, do funny stunts and tell hilarious jokes whilst on stage and it was more than entertaining. I can’t even describe to you the atmosphere at this show, and I can’t put into words how fun it was to watch, I guess you’re just going to have to go and see for yourselves! One thing is for sure, they may have been together 20 years now but they’re just as amazing, fun and energetic as ever!
Click on the links below to see Caitlin’s photographs from this show:
Great review and photos Caitlin. Glad you enjoyed yourself, wish I could have been there myself. Still a few gigs for me to get too before they leave the UK till SlamDunk in May.
Andy