Usher

So the second night of Usher's 'OMG' UK Tour took me to Birmingham's NIA Arena last Thursday, 27th January. With an earlier start than normal, doors opened at 6:30 with support act Tinchy Stryder on stage at 7:45. So I left myself plenty of time to get my pass, and wander round finding the entrance for photographers. However, at 8:30 I was still standing at the box office waiting for "one of Usher's people" to bring me my pass. When it finally arrived the very helpful people in the box office were forced to explain for the person responsible who was stood behind a partition wall. That said, I spent the two hour wait with a fellow photographer who had plenty of experience of the venue and seemed to have a good relationship with staff. A very nice chap who's name I unfortunately didn't catch, insisted on waiting for me to get my pass and showing me the way to the stage door. Something I noticed about the NIA was how friendly everyone was, from the other photographers to the security, something that makes a nice change. Also, there was only four photographers for the show, which in an Arena, from my limited experience is very unusual.

After travelling from London to Birmingham, I then found out that I'd also been accredited for the first London date this past Wednesday, 2nd February. The London show was a very different matter to Birmingham, it was more a case of find a decent place to stand in the pit because there was hardly got a hope of being able to move. There was near on 15 photographers at the London show, as well as security and camera men, which is very common at Arena shows, so there was very little room for movement. However, although not my choice of music these show would probably be up there with my favourite so far. Usher seems to be someone who likes to be photographed performing, and getting press coverage for his music, which in my opinion is a good thing. Impressing people with a performance seems to be more of a priority than impressing people with his voice, something everyone knows he can do, but I don't think he disappointed anyone with his choice. He used the stage very well and his movement also set up for some good photos, so all round I think it worked well for his fans and photographers.

The full set of photos from both the shows are on Flickr.