I'm going to describe something that I saw at a Goldenhorse gig at Bodega last weekend, and I'd like to know what your opinion is.
I have been a Goldenhorse fan for a fairly long time and have been to quite a few shows. Last Saturday I saw something that I have never seen at one of their gigs before, or for that matter, at any local show.
The show was going along nicely when I noticed Kirsten getting increasingly aggitated at something in the front few rows. Several times she went to the side of stage and talked to the tech, gesturing towards the audience. He then came on stage briefly and talked to a couple of the girls in the front row. I couldn't work out what the problem was, I hadn't noticed anyone doing anything out of the ordinary. No signs of any abuse or other behaviour which could be causing a problem.
The show continues on. Once again Kirsten appears upset, again she goes and talks to the tech, and he takes a seat at side of stage watching the front rows very intently. During 'Wake Up Brother' a friend next to me starts to take flash photos with a small digital camera. As soon as this starts happening I see the tech quickly get up and start to make his way through the audience. I suddenly realise what Kirsten was getting upset about. Before the tech can reach my friend, Kirsten stops singing mid-verse and walks to the front of the stage, reaches out into the audience, and pushes the camera down in a rather rough fashion.
I was quite perplexed by all of this, and also a little angry as my friend was quite publicly embarrased and left shortly after, obviously upset. What confused me was that a) I have seen many people taking flash photos at Goldenhorse shows before, with no problems whatsoever b) I have never heard of any local band having a policy of no flash photograhpy and c) The whole matter could have been handled a lot better by Kirsten, a simple request to stop rather than losing her cool.
I have no problem with a band having control of images of themselves, but a simple sign at the door and maybe near the stage saying "Goldenhorse request no flash photography during the perfromance" would have saved a lot of energy and embarrasment.
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interesting... perhaps it's an ...
interesting...
perhaps it's an epileptic thing, like an artist may not want a seizure triggered by the flash, especially on stage
That's pretty uncool on her part. I ...
That's pretty uncool on her part.
I play in a cover band in Dunedin and we get people trying to get all over the stage, smashing into mic stands etc. Rule #1 is you Mr (or Ms) Fun Guy when you are on stage - aggro is a very bad look. We usually just have a security guard close at hand to deal with any potential problems (i.e. drunks) before they cause any real problems. Goldenhorse should be experienced enough to have something similar.
Either way, getting upset over flash photography? That's being a little precious isn't it?...I bet there would have been no complaints back in the days at the K.As if a Rip it Up photographer took a few shots.
Though I'm in no way endorsing the way ...
Though I'm in no way endorsing the way that she handled it I can understand.
I get quite affected by camera flashes - in fact on their own the can blind me briefly (5 - 20 seconds). On stage it can be quite disconcerting to have it happen, but it's worst when the stage is not too bright.
I'm sure no one would have minded if she'd asked them not too take flash shots in between songs.
Scott
[oddly enough strobe lights are fine while they're on, but once they stop I canne see anything!]
Personally I think flash photography is ...
Personally I think flash photography is intrusive. It can get quite ridiculous when the digital generation are there shooting away. People should learn how to shoot properly. Then they'd have the option not to use flash, or won't be firing of twenty shots to get the one good decent image.
That said, she could have said something to the crowd. Getting a tech to do the dirty work sounds very diva-ish
I don't know if I'm right here (I ...
I don't know if I'm right here (I don't take photos at gigs), but I would have guessed that a flash is either going to be not strong enough to have an effect (in which case it's just a fucking nuisance), or it's going to give a nice "caught in the headlight" look, rather than something interesting or artistic. Maybe the gig photographers can speak up. However, generally speaking, using a flash is pretty uncool in a lot of places... so learn to turn the thing off... (On the other hand, a polite request between songs would have been more effective)
She often seems to get really pissed ...
She often seems to get really pissed off by things like that and handles it in a pretty strange fashion... like she's one step away from falling to the floor and kicking and screaming. The last timeI saw them play was the last time I think I'll bother because it got pretty tired pretty quickly.
I think the way to deal with that is to ...
I think the way to deal with that is to get someone to make an announcement before the show that flash photography is not permitted because [whatever the reason is].
If Kirsten Morell did indeed act in the above described way, it does seem like it wasn't just about the flashes, that there was some other thing that was putting her in a shitty mood and she was using the flashes as something to rage against. (None of this would happen if Goldenhorse had a few angry metaller tunes in their repertoire.)
And I'm reminded of this Robbie Williams concert that was shown on TV here a few weeks ago. He was playing at Knebworth (I think) and at one point got everyone in the audience with a flash to let it go off at the same time. The cameras showed a massive sea of sparkling flashes shimmering. It looked so wicked that he got them all to do it again - and not a hissy fit in sight.
(Er, I meant "a few years ago" for the ...
(Er, I meant "a few years ago" for the Robbie Williams concert, if that matters)
They should definitely do a couple of ...
They should definitely do a couple of Pantera covers, that would totally loosen her up.
Or they could rearrange American Wife and call it American Psycho, do it in a kind of industrial metal mood. Could be cool.
all the cameras going off at once ...
all the cameras going off at once looked so cool. goldenhorse should maybe do that then they can get the whole photo thing over and done with & kirsten will be blinded no more.
Maybe she had a bad pimple that day....
Maybe she had a bad pimple that day.
Well, I have since heard from a ...
Well, I have since heard from a reliable source that she really dislikes people taking photos of her when she is all hot and sweaty on stage. Obviously doesn't want any photos getting out of her dripping with perspiration.
Meh, that's hardly good showmanship! I ...
Meh, that's hardly good showmanship! I mean, she's a performer, she's performing, people are capturing her in the middle of it all, sweating and all that makes it more raw and humane. Sounds like she's a bit of a princess.
"Vanity of vanities", saith the wise ...
"Vanity of vanities", saith the wise man.
I have to concur that something odd is ...
I have to concur that something odd is happening with Goldenhorse lately. I used to catch them everytime they came to Wellington, just before 'Riverhead' went platnum or whatever, and always found their shows to be full of energy and they came across as genuinely nice people. When I got to meet them backstage after one particular show this feeling was confirmed. Although I have to admit it was more the guys I talked to, but Kirsten seemed just as approachable.
However, I hadn't seen them for over a year when I saw them with NZSO at the Michael Fowler Centre. And I couldn't help but feel something had changed. It felt like a "ooo, look at us, we're Goldenhorse, aren't we fabulous?" sort of vibe was coming off Kirsten.
This feeling is compounded by the way she treated members of the band that opened for them at the gig Ollie is talking about. There are certain things that fall into the realms of professionalism and basic courtesy that Kirsten seems to forsaking, and that's not cool.
I dunno, maybe it's something to do with the fact that their new album is crap?
harsh!...
harsh!
Sorry dude, just thought it was ...
Sorry dude, just thought it was somewhat lacking, compared to the first album that is. But there is definately a change in Goldenhorse, or at least in Kirsten, and it's not for the better.
Oh, and I just rememebered one of the ...
Oh, and I just rememebered one of the first times I saw them at Bodega, and Kirsten was telling everyone to move closer to the stage and go mental. I took lots of photos that night too and they didn't mind, especially when I gave them copies of the prints.
So I don't know what's happened, but they're not so friendly anymore it seems.
Maybe they are turning into prima ...
Maybe they are turning into prima donnas.. maybe... but it sounds to me like they are starting to recognise their worth. It's their image and they should have rights over it. There's too many damn photographers at gig nowadays anyway. Sounds like she needed to handle it better though - with a little bit of charm and graciousness it probably wouldn't have been a problem.
ps I like the new album. There's some excellent tracks on there.