I've always wanted to do a few concerts but being freelance and no portfolio of music acts, its impossible to break into this industry. After months of e-mailing promotors, venues with no luck.  I volunteered to do the Americana awards in hackney with 20 odd acts over two days. It was a win win situation with networking included and a chance to get close to the bands, as the venues were on the small side. two rewarding longer and harder than expected days followed . First act was Carter Sampson from the USA, Carter seemed to have a look of Roy Orbison about her maybe not his voice, A lovely voice never the less and a good easy start for the photography. Then I ran across the street into the Oslo bar for The grande who were somewhat different, Louder and being five on the stage somewhat harder to photograph. Back to to the Vintage Dress for the Black feathers a two piece band  whose Mic got my attention from the start, Black Feathers themselves are a band I enjoyed  photographing, full of emotion when singing. Over the road again for Murder Murder a bluegrass band from Canada. Full of movement and plenty to focus on, The fiddle player was playing to the camera which is just a bonus for me. Back at Vintage Dress Amanda Rheamure was already on the tiny stage in the the room that holds 80 and impossible to move in. Again another good performance and easy to get images. Jo Harman, Walton Hess, Angaleena Presley and to finish the night off for me was Emily Barker. Home at 1am quick download in bed by 2am and up up and on my way back by ten to watch and photgraph the singer/songwriters Panel. Beth Nelson Chapman and Graham Goldman who has written some great songs including 'I'm not in love' by 10cc. Bob Harris was next in a talk with American singer Mary Chaplin Carpenter Once again the hour flew by. Managed to get a couple of frames with Mary Chaplin and Bob together. On to the awards Red carpet pics first then Yola Carter opens the event. Yola has a voice that fills the church what a great act to open with. The night whizzes by Van Morrison makes an quick appearance along with Jools Holland. The highlight Of the night was Mary Chaplin Carpenter who you would not recognise from the afternoon. The evening finishes around 10pm before the after show party began. Now you may ask why no images of Mary Chaplin appear on my website and the answer is every other act had no problem but Mary Chaplin has to ok every image before publication. The Link to images are at.  

  https://goo.gl/bTlpYy 

   http://www.robertwalkley.co.uk/f1060137096

Americana Awards 17Black feathers