A man in a fedora and sunglasses performs on stage with a musician playing a saxophone in the foreground, against a backdrop of falling rain at night.
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The Skatonics Live at The Pantiles


The Skatonics defy the rain at Live on The Pantiles


On the evening of Thursday, September 3, 2024, The Skatonics took to the stage at Live on The Pantiles in Royal Tunbridge Wells. What started as a nearly cancelled event due to heavy rain turned into an great night of ska music, dancing, and resilience. The skies sort of cleared briefly, just long enough for the band to start—only for the rain to return with a vengeance. That sort of almost invisible but actually very wet rain…But even with worsening weather, the band played on, and the crowd kept dancing.


The Skatonics, with their high-energy performances and classic 2-tone hits, have been wowing audiences since their debut in 2007. With influences like Madness and The Specials, they’ve earned their spot as a staple of the UK’s ska scene, performing at festivals and iconic venues across Europe.


While the audience was sheltered under canopies and the sound crew had a temporary gazebo, the band enjoyed the relative safety of the covered bandstand. As for me? I was out in the open, exposed to the elements and trying to navigate my way through the rain with my camera gear. Apart from the fans who braved the rain on the dance floor, I was probably the wettest person at the event!


The rain added a different backdrop to the shots, with the rain against the dark sky and the old-fashioned streetlamps, capturing the gritty, raw energy of the performance.


Shooting in the rain came with a unique set of challenges. With difficult lighting and rain constantly falling, I had to adjust my camera settings on the fly. I was constantly battling the elements, wiping down my lens and finding angles that wouldn’t drench my camera.


But, sometimes the struggle leads to the most interesting images. The rain helped create a moody, atmospheric backdrop that added a layer of texture to the shots, highlighting the band’s electric connection with the crowd.


Despite the weather, The Skatonics proved why they’re one of the UK’s top ska bands. The rain may have drenched us all, but it only fueled the energy of the night. If you enjoyed these shots, take a look at more of my live music photography, or get in touch to book your next event.

  • A black and white image of a music stage with drums, microphones, trombones, and a guitar, showcasing the name 'The Skatonics' on banners and drum kit.
  • A man singing into a microphone on stage with colorful stage lighting and musicians in the background
  • Man in fedora playing the trombone on stage with stage lights in the background
  • Black and white image of a female singer performing on stage with a band, expressive with her hands outstretched and a microphone in front of her.
  • A person playing the trumpet with sunglasses on, in front of a blurred background featuring musical instruments
  • Three musicians performing on stage with drums, saxophone, and microphones with a vibrant graphic backdrop.
  • A musician playing the saxophone on stage with a man in a hat smiling in the background, both are partially obscured by raindrops.
  • A man in sunglasses and a fedora hat speaking into a microphone with event banners in the background
  • Black and white photo of a bald man playing the saxophone, wearing glasses and a suit, with artistic background.
  • Two singers performing closely together into a microphone on stage with ambient stage lighting.
  • A black and white photo of a focused drummer playing a drum set on stage with a graphic backdrop.
  • Two singers performing together into a microphone at an indoor venue.
  • Black and white image of a live jazz band featuring a saxophonist and a female singer performing on stage with an audience in the background.
  • A live band performs on stage with colorful stage lighting as an audience enjoys the music at night.
  • A black and white photo of a male musician in a plaid suit performing at a microphone on stage.
  • A black and white photo of a jazz trombone player performing on stage, wearing sunglasses and a fedora hat.

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