Network LIVE captured Vagrant Records/Startime International recording artists The Futureheads with French Kicks. The show was captured at the Henry Fonda Theatre here in LA and it was awesome. There was some concern about the room looking packed for French Kicks, but everyone moved toward the stage when the band started playing the first notes of “So Far We Are,” the first song on their forthcoming album “Two Thousand.” The cameras were rolling, the job was swinging and everyone seemed to be having a good time.
One of the things that always gets people is seeing how Network LIVE operates at a show. When I bring a label person, manager or artist to our often times makeshift production rooms, they just get it. It’s undeniably impressive. All I usually have to say is “this is how we do it.” Of course I explain what we’re doing, but it’s always kinda cool to let them soak it in and ask the questions. It’s a proud moment for all of Network LIVE and a really exciting part of what we do. No matter how many times I see the same thing (the big flat panel display with all the cameras up and the director calling the shots), it’s still exciting.
Shortly after French Kicks left the stage, we were dealing with the fact that The Futureheads' LD wanted the stage lights lower, wanted the lights off the crowd and wanted our gobos off. We deal with this on almost every show. The nature of capturing (particularly in HD) for broadcast, is that there has to be a lot of lights. The bands generally don’t like this as they think it ruins the ambiance and are concerned about the fans not having a good time. I saw the crowd during French Kicks and they were having a great time! We smoothed things over, worked a little magic and the show went on (with gobos up). The Futureheads' tour manager quit 20 minutes before the band went on, but that’s another story.
The Futureheads played an awesome set beginning with “Yes/No” from their new album “News and Tributes.” They played nearly all of their new album. Highlights included “Fallout” “A to B” and their latest single “Skip To The End,” which had the crowd clapping along. The greatest moment in the production was seeing the lead singer guiding the crowd in hand claps. The director was calling out each camera showing all of the fans smashed up against the barricade, a wide shot of the vast sea of fans with their arms in the air then back to the singer. It was a really cool moment.
I wandered down to the band area underneath the stage after the show. Everyone was celebrating an awesome show. I got a chance to talk to the bands, both of whom were extremely grateful that we captured them. Label and managers were also there thanking us. Another proud moment for Network LIVE. Thanks to everyone for making this another great SRO capture.
