**The views of this writer do not reflect the opinion of the rest of Popwreckoning nor its staff and should not be cited**
The Ting Tings put on an amazing and energetic show. I wish I could write about that, but instead I’ll dive into the tale of the asshole tour manager vs. the photographer who’s fully aware of his rights.
In celebration of the Ting Tings playing an all ages show at the tiny Record Bar, I took my 13 year old daughter Tori to witness such a popular band in such an intimate venue. In fact, the Ting Tings had 2 techs on stage the entire time, and a back of house soundboard that was as deep as the entire stage at the Record Bar. Their entourage was bigger than some of the audiences I’ve witnessed at the Record Bar. Hell, they were even guided to the stage by security with flashlights. At the Record Bar!
Tori and I grabbed a spot toward the front of the stage, stage right. I alternated between shooting and dancing my ass off. If their music doesn’t make you dance, perhaps you should check your hearing. But hearing wasn’t an issue at this show – the sound in the Record Bar, from the Ting Tings production equipment, was phenomenal. The sound from multi-instrumentalist Jules De Martino’s kick drum, with my head about 6 inches from it on the floor, was insanely intense. This was not the show to forget my earplugs.
After getting a whole show of great shots, I was asked to follow a Record Bar bouncer out the smoking area. I grabbed Tori and we headed out there. Knowing what was about to happen, I took my CF card out of my camera along the way. The Record Bar bouncer told me that the tour manager of the Ting Tings wanted to speak to me, and that this had nothing to do with the Record Bar (kudos to him).
The manager entered the patio, and rudely demanded to know why I was taking pictures. I gave him my business card, told him who I was, and mentioned to him that I followed all the rules posted regarding photography (no flash). He said the pictures were the property of the Ting Tings and Sony and that he was requiring me to erase the images in front of him. I told him that I would not be doing so. He cornered me (this was a pretty big guy) and I moved toward the door. He continued to threaten me the entire time. At no point in the encounter did he offer me anything remotely resembling professional courtesy (or even HUMAN courtesy, for that matter) – just threats, harassment, and physical intimidation.
He threatened to call the police, and I agreed that he should. I also mentioned my 13 year old daughter, standing by my side, whom I had brought to enjoy the show (we even bought a $25 shirt!). After standing there and assessing the situation, I decided they had no legal basis to hold me.
I informed him that I was leaving, and that if he tried to stop me I would have him arrested for false imprisonment. I reminded him that in the United States, “Ting Tings Tour Manager” does not actually give him any legal status. I grabbed Tori and headed for the front door. The entire time, the manager stayed within a foot of me, at one point bumping into me. He continued to follow me through the parking lot, at the same distance, until I got in my car.
I drove Tori home, uploaded my card, and returned to the Record Bar to close my tab before the late show began. In retrospect, I wish I’d have waited for the cops, as the manager had most likely committed harassment, coercion, and assault. The manager should be fired or severely reprimanded.
Now if I could just get these Ting Tings songs out of my head!
The Ting Tings: website | myspace
fuck that guy. nick, these are awesome shots.
Thanks dear.
Good for you Nick! I came by before the first show and talked to a promoter and told her who I was and that I had to go shoot Morrissey and wanted to come back to shoot the Ting Tings late show, she said I can’t guarantee anything but come back at 10 and maybe we can get you in. So I left Morrissey early and came to the Record Bar, she told me no way and that the tour manager had already had a problem with a photographer earlier…I’m guessing that was you. I’m sick and tired of a select few of these tour managers being dicks. We try to promote bands that we like, spending thousands of dollars on photography equipment making very little if any money. Most tour managers are pretty cool and when I meet nice ones I always tell them I appreciate all their help. But you could tell there was going to be some bad vibes last night. I’m glad everything worked out, as far as you getting some photos and no physical altercations…I had the exact same experience with the production manager of Kings of Leon in January. These people need to give photographers a break, especially courteous ones such as yourself.
Oh that is so totally infuriating! I’m also a music photographer and have just started taking my 9 year-old son to early all ages shows, but mostly to see local bands whose members are friends of mine. I dread these sorts of situations with self-important pricks who don’t understand that having fan photographers around = a very good thing! Le sigh.
Hey Sharyn – thanks for the comment and nice to meet you. Your work is beautiful.
Hey thanks! I’m enjoying your work too
Thanks Nick! I’m enjoying your work too. Cheers.
Josh told me about this today. This is COMPLETE and utter BULLSHIT and pisses me off. I don’t even LIKE this band and now I can’t be bothered to EVER shoot them. FUCK THEM!
OK, an update:
I have been officially banned from shooting any artists represented by Columbia Records.
The Ting Tings, through Columbia, are now claiming that I was using flash (Brett even agreed last night that I wasn’t). On my 1D Mark II. WHICH DOESN’T EVEN HAVE A FLASH. I’ve pulled the pictures from this post, because the Ting Tings don’t deserve my work.
So, this is all ridiculous. I see now that the Ting Tings are no little pop band. They are managed with the same ferocity as any major band. What they have to hide, I don’t know. Whay they want to take me down, a fan, I don’t know. It’s all just so ridiculous.
I do know that no matter who you are, you should treat everyone with respect. It’s called decency. Had Mr. Spence approached me with any respect, this all could have turned out differently (I would not have, under any circumstances, deleted the pictures).
The Ting Tings rep on Columbia says she feels bad because “the Tings” are the nicest people. I don’t buy it. Nice people don’t surround themselves with people like Brett Spence.
That’s so ridiculous. I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with this! You were definitely in the right.
Man that sucks. Sorry for your daughter. What a way to ruin an evening.
I can’t find the photos. Where are they?
Ouch, sorry to hear of your experiences.
I am tired of photographers being treated like this. It is shameful and sad that some tour ‘managers’ get off on their little power trips like this. Whatever happened to respect? And since when did taking photos of an artist automatically transfer ownership of said images to the record label? This guy needs to WAKE UP. I for one will never support this band and have no interest in ever shooting them. Incidents like this made me glad for piracy sometimes.
… sorry to hear that. I can’t do much, but to express solidarity with you, i wrote an email to their tour organizer here in Germany (cc’ed to Motor Music Germany) and canceled my credential due to the incident you described. Perhaps that helps somewhat. I think everyone who planned to shoot the Ting Tings should do the same. No publicity for them!
Greets,
Peter.
Nick – I’d be consulting a lawyer and getting them to write to Columbia asking exactly why you have been banned from shooting Columbia artists.
I shot The Ting Tings in a very small club show in Australia last year as a guest of the venue – the light show was non-existent so I had to break out the flash and I had no issues with them or their management.
Wow. that is absolutely ridiculous.
“OMG! Someone took pictures of the band I manage at a public show in a place where cameras are allowed. Its the end of the world.”
As far as I’m concerned, they can do business with whomever they choose. I have enough respect for what we do. All we do is help bands we like to succeed. We’ve given the Ting Tings press about ten times in the last year. We will no longer do so.
The pics are still on my personal flickr site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickdavis/sets/72157616415107205/
I didn’t think anything could be worse than their music and sense of fashion but apparently their management topped it.
Tour managers are there for a reason but I hate it when they think they are REALLY important. You should have been told NO PHOTOGRAPHY before the show if they didn’t want it….I hate the fact that bands WANT exposure when they’re small…then shun it or try to control it when they’re big…
Look at the bright side Nick. The Ting Tings are a total flash in the pan and in two years time, their only income will be through appearances on “Celebrity Rehab”.
There’s a good discussion going on about this at Flickr as well:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/concertshots/discuss/72157616545296634
Shoot me down, but the TM was right. His attitude was completely wrong, but his reasonings were right. Contractually the venue shouldnt have allowed you to bring your camera in in the first place. Yes, its hard to control these things with there now being camera phones, small cameras etc etc but professional camera’s? No no. You cant just take professional pictures without clearance which you could then sell on and profit off. Rules of the touring road.
If its the TM I’m thinking of as well I’ve met him a few times, and he’s not tall and not at all threatening. He’s English, about 5′7 with glasses and normally very good at his job. Perhaps you just caught him on a bad day.
>>No no. You cant just take professional pictures without clearance which you could then sell on and profit off. Rules of the touring road.
Fortunately for us regular citizens, the actual rule of law trumps the “rules of the touring road”.