SILVERTONGUE - Live at The Key Club (1 Year on)

Introduction

One whole year has passed since I shot this gig. With it being the one-year anniversary, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on my experiences and thoughts from this particular shoot, and to explain how it helped shape my journey to where I am now in 2026.

First Discovering Silvertongue

Looking back at the onset, I remember how I first came across Silvertongue. It was a few weeks after my first ever concert shoot at Santiago’s Bar in Leeds, where I photographed the headline show for Wailing Banshee.

Bearing in mind this was in November, I was eager to continue exploring this niche. However, trying to secure photo passes and collaborate with artists proved to be difficult when you only have one or two bands in your portfolio and a handful of images that you consider “presentable.”

I discovered Silvertongue through a reel they had posted on Instagram—a clip of their lead guitarist, Ellis, covering Paranoid by Black Sabbath, complete with his own improvised solo.

I reached out to the band and asked if they would be interested in some free work. I explained that I was just starting out in concert photography and would love the opportunity to shoot one of their shows. In exchange, they would receive what I hoped would be high-quality, professional images they could use to promote themselves.

I remember the band replying that same night, saying they were up for it as soon as they had a gig booked.

A few weeks later, they got back in touch and told me they would be supporting the Manchester-based band Proud Mary. What made this even more exciting was that Proud Mary had previously been signed to Noel Gallagher’s label, Sour Mash Records—in fact, they were the first band to be signed.

It was in this moment that I felt like all the hard work I had been putting into reaching out to artists had finally started to pay off.

Arriving at The Key Club

Eager to shoot and meet the bands, I booked the day off work (for those who don’t know, I work as an Audiology Technician) and headed down to The Key Club in Leeds, where the show was taking place that evening.

I ended up arriving far too early.

I had arranged to shoot some behind-the-scenes material with the band before the show, but in good ol’ fashion, I arrived way to early. As a result, when I arrived at the venue around 4pm—I was alone, with not much to do.

After explaining to the team at The Key Club that I was shooting on behalf of the bands, they let me in and set me up at the bar.

I’m not going to lie, I was twiddling my thumbs a bit—wondering what I should be doing, or what I could be doing to at least feel productive. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a whole lot besides trying to network with the staff at the venue.

But then something happened that would soon change my photography journey.

The Email

I received an email from The Amazons saying they were interested in my work and asking if I had a portfolio ready to send over.

At the time, I didn’t have one prepared.

I replied explaining that I was actually at a gig that night, hoping to build my portfolio, and that I would follow up with them later that week.

At that moment, it added a new level of pressure to the night ahead.

Meeting the Band

Silvertongue arrived at around 4:45.

Straight away, I was met with warm welcomes and introductions from the band members themselves. We spoke about their eagerness to perform, and how they were buzzing to be playing at a venue they had always dreamed of performing at.

From that moment, I knew this was a special show for them—and it changed how I approached everything.

Up until that point, I had been treating gigs as opportunities to build my portfolio, to get “good shots” and prove that I could do it. But this felt different.

There was more at stake than just clean images.

This was a moment the band had been working towards, and I realised that my role wasn’t just to take photos—it was to capture that feeling.

Capturing the Build-Up

As they began unloading their gear and settling into the venue, I started shooting more candidly.

Nothing forced, nothing overly staged—just small, honest moments.

The quiet focus while setting up amps, the quick jokes between band members, the nervous energy that sat just beneath the surface.

In contrast to my previous gig, I felt like I was starting to document something real—something I had only really experienced in my wedding photography. Perhaps this was the moment where that side of my work began to influence how I approached concert photography.

The Atmosphere

As the evening carried on, the venue began to fill up quickly.

Some people were there for Silvertongue, already talking about how energetic and chaotic their shows can be. Others were there for Proud Mary—long-time fans who had followed them since the early 2000s.

The excitement started to build.

The same bar I had been sitting at just hours earlier—empty and quiet—was now packed shoulder to shoulder with people ordering drinks and talking about the show ahead.

Shooting the Show

From a photographer’s point of view, I was nervous.

This was a much larger venue than the previous one, and with no dedicated photo pit, I found myself shooting from within the crowd. At times, this was challenging.

However, I quickly realised that a bit of politeness and communication went a long way. Once people understood what I was there to do, they were more than happy to give me space, which allowed me to move more freely and capture better, more composed shots.

Lighting was another major difference.

Santiago’s had been small, dark, and limited—mainly harsh red and blue stage lights. The Key Club, on the other hand, had a much more dynamic lighting setup, which allowed for more creative and visually striking images.

The Performance

Silvertongue stepped onto the stage to a crowd that was already behind them.

From the very first song, the energy was undeniable. It wasn’t just that they were good—it was that they meant it.

And these guys don’t just stay on stage.

They throw themselves into the crowd, instruments in hand, becoming part of the audience. They start mosh pits while still hitting every note. It never feels like you’re just watching a band—it feels like you’re part of it.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience a band where the line between performer and audience disappears, Silvertongue are exactly that.

At that point, everything else faded into the background.

I wasn’t thinking about settings or technical perfection—I was reacting. Moving with the music, anticipating moments, trying to be in the right place at the right time.

It was chaotic, a little overwhelming, but also the most locked-in I had ever felt behind a camera.

The Edit

After the show, and after spending some time backstage with both bands, I made my way home—still riding that post-gig high. Then I loaded the photos. Reality kicked in.

Needless to say, saying I had been a little trigger happy would be an understatement.

From the initial cull, I was left with around 400 images to edit. It felt like a lot—but I committed to working through them. It took time, more than I expected, but it allowed me to properly sit with what I had captured. As I worked through the images, I started to notice something. These weren’t just “good enough” photos. They felt alive.

They carried the energy of the night—the movement, the connection, the atmosphere. For the first time, I felt like I had created something that genuinely reflected the experience of being there.

This was the moment where things started to click.

One Year Later

Looking back now, this gig stands out as a turning point.

It wasn’t just another show—it was the moment where things started to shift. Where I began to understand not just how to shoot concerts, but why I was doing it.

It taught me the importance of connection, storytelling, and being present in the moment rather than chasing perfection.

It also reminded me that opportunities don’t always come when you feel ready. Sometimes, you just have to say yes, show up, and figure it out as you go.

That night at The Key Club didn’t just give me photos for my portfolio—it helped shape the direction and style I now strive for in my photography.

One year on, I can confidently say it played a huge role in shaping the photographer I am today.

A Final Note

Oh—and the email from The Amazons.

I did end up sending them my portfolio.

They must have liked what they saw, as they later offered me an accreditation pass for their Leeds show in November.

But that’s a story for another day.