Music – Page 2 – In Photos dot Org

Brian May in the Spotlight

Queen + Adam Lambert played in the O2 in London as part of their 2022 Rhapsody Tour, and I was there in the middle of June.

I love Queen’s music. I wanted to go see them for a long time but left it late to book tickets for one of their London shows. The only seats left were away up in the rafters, to the side of the stage. (and then they announced a Belfast show a few weeks later, but we had paid for concert tickets, plane tickets and a family hotel room. Ah, well.)

One of the highlights of the gigs was when the late Freddie Mercury was shown on the big screen singing Love of My Life with Brian May. Guess who didn’t see any of it because of where he was sitting? A beautiful moment, and I knew what was happening when the crowd cheered. And I missed it all. I was crushed.

Earlier in the day, on the way to the concert, in the taxi, I took my phone out of my pocket to check Google Maps. To my horror, my phone screen remained blank. I figured the phone was still on because I heard a WhatsApp notification, but the screen remained stubbornly black. Disaster! The tickets were on my phone! Luckily, we had installed the O2 app on my family’s phones, so I consoled myself that one of those phones would work. I couldn’t be more wrong. They were logged out and because the password manager was on my phone, we had no way to log in. I remember wishing I had my laptop, which was back in the hotel. However, we weren’t the only ones in that situation, but customer support at the O2 are used to it and got us physical replacement tickets. The following morning, my phone worked fine again.

So, It wasn’t an ideal experience. Yes, you can say it was my own fault for not booking earlier, but they still offered those sections of the arena for sale, and every seat was taken. I didn’t post this or any other photo from the concert as I was so disappointed by everything that happened, but time has dulled my feelings about it. I still love Queen music, and I even love their 80s and 90s output. Despite my experience, it was spectacular to see Brian May and Roger Taylor perform.

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Bambie Thug at Cork Pride

Bambie Thug holds up the transgender flag on stage.

At the Cork Pride party today, Bambie Thug performed for the crowd, and came on stage proudly waving the transgender flag. The party was great, and the parade was full of energy, colour, smiles and happiness. If you missed it this year, make sure to go next year. It’s a great event!

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Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	240mm
ISO	5000
Shutter speed	1/2000s

Music on the street

Three people sitting against a wall. Two are playing instruments, the guitar and saxaphone and the other person is smiling and enjoying the music. They have a box in front of them with a sign saying, "YOU ARE LOVED".

Three people sitting against a wall at one end of the Beurspassage in Amsterdam. They were really good, and it was nice to see people enjoying themselves playing music.

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Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	200
Shutter speed	1/60s

Mirrors at Cyprus Avenue

We went to see Mirrors, a local Cork band, play at Cyrpus Avenue, on Friday night. Wow. What a sound. The crowd loved them!

Check out Echoes, one of their songs, on YouTube.

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Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	75mm
ISO	2500
Shutter speed	1/250s

The Beatlebums’ Christmas Party

Far back in the mists of time (last February), my wife and I went to Coughlan’s Bar to see The Beatlebums play. We had a blast that night and while they’ve played a few times since, last night was the first time we had a chance to see them again when they played their Christmas Party gig.

The line-up has changed a little, but they’re still great. They played to an enthusiastic crowd in the back room of Coughlan’s Bar displaying the diverse sounds the Fab Four were well known for.

If you’re a fan of the Beatles, you’ll love them. Even if you think you don’t know the Beatles, you’ll love them. 🙂

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	12800
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Boolaboom at the GPO

A large crowd watching Boolaboom perform in front of the GPO in Cork on Friday night

Boolaboom, a “super-sized brass and percussion big-band” played on Oliver Plunkett Street, in front of the GPO and they were great!

Aperture	ƒ/3.5
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	6400
Shutter speed	1/60s

The Service at An Brog

Members of the band, The Service, play on stage at An Brog. A singer, bass guitarist, Saxophone player and drummer are visible.

We saw The Service play in An Bróg last night and they were as good as they’ve always been.

Best moment was, ‘For anyone under, uh, 50, THIS IS SKA!’

I’ll admit I didn’t know Madness were a ska band. My wife introduced me to the wider world of that genre of music!

Aperture	ƒ/3.5
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	12800
Shutter speed	1/320s

Qween at the Regatta

Qween rocked Cobh on Sunday night, the last night of the Cobh People’s Regatta 2023. They’re an outstanding Queen tribute band, and they played all the hits, and soon had everyone singing along, dancing and cheering to the music. A short break in the middle of the set was required for the fireworks at 10pm, but the music started up shortly afterwards to the delight of everyone around.

Alas, I had to leave then. I was up early the next morning, but I can’t wait to see them play again!

Aperture	ƒ/5
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	58mm
ISO	5000
Shutter speed	1/500s

The Violinist and his audience

A man playing a violin on the street, with an older man sitting in the background with his arm raised, enjoying the music

I was in town this afternoon and walking up Oliver Plunkett Street, came across Ryan Parsons, a very talented violinist busking on the street. A sizeable crowd gathered around behind me, enjoying the music. The gentleman in the background of this photo was evidentially enjoying the music too, waving his hand in time with the beat of the tune.

I recorded a video of Ryan playing too. Enjoy his wonderful playing for yourself!

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Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	1000
Shutter speed	1/500s

The Service at Coughlans Bar

Members of the band, "The Service" performing on stage in Coughlans Bar.

Last Saturday night, I had the opportunity to see ‘The Service’ perform live at Coughlan’s Bar on Douglas Street, and I must say it was a truly unforgettable experience. The atmosphere created by the band’s performance of Ska music from the early 80s was electrifying, and the audience loved it.

For those unfamiliar with Ska music, it originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and became popular in the UK and Ireland during the 2 Tone movement in the late 1970s and early 80s. Ska is characterized by a syncopated beat, horn section, and upbeat tempo. It has been influential in the development of many modern music genres, such as reggae, punk rock, and hip-hop.

The Service’s performance was a tribute to this influential era of music, and they did an excellent job of capturing the energy and excitement of the genre. It’s impossible to listen to this music and not start bouncing up and down with the beat!

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
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ISO	8000
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On Stage in Coughlan’s Bar

677. On Friday night I was out in a pub watching live music. An unfortunately rare occurrence.

Fintan Lucy and Lynda Cullen sang together, accompanied by Martin Leahy and later by Dee Power. It was a wonderful night in front of a packed crowd in a small room.

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	1000
Shutter speed	1/30s

Korey Power on Patrick Street

My wife and I came across Korey Power singing on Patrick Street, in front of Brown Thomas. A small but enthusiastic crowd gathered to listen. He has a great voice!

Yes, a gentleman in the background was dancing and enjoying the music too. Did a fine job of it!

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	1250
Shutter speed	1/500s