We catch up with one of Exposed’s most reliable live music snappers, Jacob Flannery, to talk top tips, memorable gigs and the thriving Sheffield photography scene.
How did you first get into photography?
Back when I was at uni studying journalism, I was doing a lot of review writing and interviews for online music publications. I quite quickly realised that words didn’t always come naturally, but it was a great way to get involved with the scene. I’d always been interested in photography since I got my first digital camera as a kid, and when I saw some of the images photographers were creating for a magazine I was writing for at the time, I got the urge to try my hand at music photography as well.
Not long after getting my first written work published, I was introduced in a pub on South Road to one of my dad’s mates, Malcolm, who was working with some of the bands playing at Corporation. He gave me a couple of cheap SD cards and a few starter tips, and then I borrowed my dad’s Nikon D90 to shoot a gig at the Leadmill. It was the Aussie band Pond that were playing in the main room. There wasn’t a pit, it was dark, the lights were all red and the photos were awful. The whole experience, though, was a buzz and I wanted to keep plugging away at it.
What’s the secret to good live music photography?
I’m not sure there’s really a secret to it. From my personal experience, it’s been a lot of trial and many errors. When you first start shooting live music, chances are the bands you’re taking photos of are going to be in small, dark and tricky venues compared to the likes of the O2 Academy or Sheff Arena. I think, in terms of building your skills, that’s exactly what you need. By the time I made it to my first arena gig, it was a nice surprise swapping out the overexcited smoke machine operator for a well-lit subject with huge production behind them.
I’ve also found it incredibly beneficial engaging with others in the music photography community. Just being nice to those you’re going to be sharing the pit with and supporting their work is a great way to build connections, learn new skills and support others. I’ve been given some of my favourite jobs through networking with other photographers and it’s always a great feeling to recommend someone whose work you admire.
Dream Wife.
Whose work are you enjoying at the moment?
There are some fantastic photographers working in Sheff. I particularly love the colours and vibrancy of what Lindsay Melbourne (@linsday_melbourne) has been creating with Work in TV and 86TVs, and I also think Benji Wilson (@jamburrito1) is doing an amazing job of documenting local bands on film and digital – some of his film shots have me in awe. As well as this, Tom Marshall (@tom_sunderland.pho) is producing some fantastic live work, grafting hard in and around South Yorkshire.
Who’s been the best act to shoot so far?
There’s honestly so many and it’s really difficult to choose. One set that definitely sticks with me is Little Simz’ Tramlines performance back in 2021. I’d been living abroad for a while and had returned back to Sheff just in time for a year of lockdowns and little to no live music. I’d barely been shooting much, aside from the odd roll of 35mm, and when I managed to get a pass for the festival and the chance to shoot some of my favourite artists I jumped at the opportunity. Little Simz’ set was a highlight across the weekend; her presence on stage was magnetic and the crowd were fully there for it. The whole vibe of the weekend was magic, and I produced some of the work I’m most happy with.
Do you have a favourite venue?
The Leadmill will always hold a special place in my heart. I shot my first gig there, interviewed a few bands upstairs, saw my favourites The Cribs play a wild sell-out show, and broke my wrist one night after tripping on the dancefloor. It’s iconic, The Leadmill; and whilst I also adore Crookes Social Club for its vintage curtains, tiled bar and working men’s club vibes, and Yellow Arch for the history and memories of rehearsing there with a rusty band as a teenager during our ‘one day we could be the next Arctic Monkeys phase, the Leadmill has to take top spot.
Cage the Elephant.
What would be your dream gig to shoot?
That’s a real tricky one. I’ve been super grateful to photograph so many bands and artists. I guess a dream gig in the not-so-distant future though would be to shoot AM at Hillsborough Park. It would be great to take photos next to the courts I played footie on as a kid, within earshot of the house I grew up in and the Spoons where I had my first – and ashamedly not last – shot of whisky fireball. There’s almost something full circle about that. I feel lucky just to have grabbed a ticket for a date.
Follow Jacob’s work on @jacob_flannery_
