Athlone Live
Athlone is a town in the heart of Ireland with three bridges over the river Shannon and a rich and varied music scene.
I was even a part of it back in the day…
Outpatients
That’s me on the left, the one with the “Party On” tshirt 🤣 We were a group of five friends, Aidan, Roy, Paul and Ernest, who formed a band called “Outpatients”. Those were great times.
Back then we played mostly in a pub called Bellamys where people were literally hanging from the rafters. We were a rock/grunge cover band and our most popular song to play was L.S.D. by My Little Funhouse. There were lots of different bands on the scene back then too, the Brainpipes, Proverbial Something and the Sacred Mushrooms to name but a few. It was electric!
Then I went to college, followed by work and over the years I slipped out of the scene. I’m getting back though, this time on the other side, taking photos to capture the amazing talent both from the town of Athlone and those who come to Athlone to rock out and hopefully inspire local bands to get out there.
Local Talent
Over the past few months I’ve had the pleasure of shooting some local musicians who are releasing their creations out onto the world.
David Dockery
I first shot David during the release show for his latest single, Wishing Wells, at the Dean Crowe Sessions. It was a very intimate show and my first live event in the town as a photographer 😰. I managed to capture a few nice shots from the night but the one here was my favourite.
I later shot some behind the scenes shots for the music video to accompany Wishing Wells. This was a LOT of fun, I got to spend the day doing what I love with cool people.
Behind the scenes photo gallery (click a photo to view it full size)
Thanks to David for trusting me to capture these moments.
Bobby HewitT
I was honoured when Bobby reached out to me to collaborate with him to create a set of images for his upcoming EP called “A Kid Again”. He wanted to tell his origin story through photos. We shot at his family home, where his music started, all the way to the studio. The photo Bobby chose for his EP cover is him sitting on the doorstep of his family home, about to step out into he world with his new music.
Collaborating with Bobby has been great and I’m really looking forward to future collaborations and being there as new songs are released.
Bobby’s photo gallery (click a photo to view it full size)
Cheers Bobby 😀
Support our local artists, LISTEN, LIKE and SHARE their tracks with ALL your friends.
Local Venues
Live music is vibrant in Athlone and you will always find a pub with live music any day of the week. I’m making it my goal to photograph every single one of them, but I’m a little shy in approaching venues, so if you are a venue owner and you would like me to photograph a band, please get in touch.
In recent months there has been an increase of tribute bands visiting our town to play in The Venue. It’s a live music venue attached to Karma nightclub. Mark is bringing in some class bands (not only tribute acts). There is a live band playing there every weekend. I have shot a few and I have a few more lined up to shoot in the coming months.
The Cellar Bar is another large venue attached to the Piano Bar (formally Bozo’s for those old enough to remember) where I have shot our local Rage Against the Machine tribute band, Renegades of Funk. I hope to photograph there again soon.
Flannery’s is another bar that has live music every Monday night. It also hosts Flanfest, Ann Flannery’s annual music festival showcasing local talent in aid of South Westmeath Hospice.
Live music in Athlone photo gallery (click a photo to view it full size)
Support your local venues, all of them, every night.
The Sound Factory
A youthful looking Benny taken in his Sound Factory few years back.
Local bands need a place where they can get equipment, instruments, expert advice or just a place where they can hang and experience the banter. The Sound Factory is that place and Benny delivers on all fronts! The is not a paid promotion (you can pay me later Benny 😉), Benny is just one of the nicest guys in town.
The future
I’m excited for the future of live music in Athlone.There is nothing better than stepping into a venue and getting your head blown off by blistering guitars and your chest thumped by the frantic drummer 😃. These days I like to keep my hearing so I plug my ears 😎
I’m totally enjoying photographing the live scene in Athlone and since I started I’ve met a lot of sound people and re-connected with others from the good ol’ days. As I get out and photograph more musicians, I hope to improve my photography with every act I shoot.
I shoot the music
I’m @HeadbangersBall on Instagram, follow me there.
I was lucky enough to grab that handle a long time ago. For those not old enough to know… “Headbangers Ball” was an MTV show hosted by Vanessa Warwick, and was just for rock and metal back when MTV was an actual Music Television 😜
If you’d like me to work with you or come photograph your band, or shoot (with a camera) in your venue, please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you…
