The Gospel According To Jon...

Have uploaded a mix to MjDjSite if anyone is interested, the page needs updating and havent posted any mixes for ages but this ones pretty funky if you fancy a listen...

www.mydjspace.net/shaks/

45mins of chilled, hip hop and a bit of reggae and soul thrown in for good measure!

Still getting used to this blog marlarkey, so pictures are not properly aligned will edit when I get chance! If anyones got any tips would be helpful...

Cheers Jon

Manchesters Anti War March 24/06/07

My First Blog of real note, Sunday 24/06/07 @ Albert Square Manchester. I went to take a photographers eye view of the "Stop the War Coalition" arranged march that coincided with Gordon Brown's coronation as Prime minister. It all started in the square, as more and more peaceful protesters arrived with colourful banners, placards, sandwich boards and fancy dress. People were encouraged to join in as songs and chants ensued. This caused amusement and some concern from the police photographers as a larger amount of people began to join in but it passed peacefully. Soon the seriousness of the event was evident as speeches began to start on the stage outside the town hall. These included various members of "Stop The War" and amongst others Walter "Wolfie" Wolfgang - the MP who at 80 plus years old was ejected from a recent parliamentary conference for voicing his opinion, something this government is obviously starting to dislike.

Following the main speeches a number of delegates from "Stop the War", MP's opposing occupation in Afghanistan, Iraq etc, family members of lost soldiers and some service men all read out 10 names each of some of those who have been lost in these conflicts to date. Naming both innocent foreign civilians and military personnel. This was extremely sobering and we were informed rather shockingly that if they were to name all those who died, they would have to read non stop 24hrs a day, from now until October and that was just those tragic deaths that have been documented.

Once the speeches had drawn to a close the protesters made there way to Princess St, level with the edge of the square and prepared to march. This was some spectacle, although I'm told the numbers have been far larger in previous years. Regardless it was still an awesome sight, with the Police lining the street and the protesters amassed at the other end.
From here the march became very exciting for me, even though I wasn't involved! I was constantly chasing ahead of the demonstration as it snaked its way from the square, through St. Peters, round to Manchester Central (formerly known as G-Mex) finding better vantage points from which to capture proceedings. At on stage near the town hall I clambered on top of a metal box, its use unknown (probably electrics of some sort?) It gave me a great view of the start of the march, with one hand against the town hall I stood upright a full six foot above others on the ground if not more. This was perfect photography wise except behind me over a railing was a drop down of a least 10ft to the lower windows of the Town Hall, I resolved myself not "Look Behind Me!"

Following this I rushed across the St Pete's Square, camera firmly gripped in hand to the making use of several more inanimate objects, to gain a better view, which included the railings at the traffic lights on Oxford Road and yet another strange black metal box across road! This was all very exciting and made me feel like a real press photographer covering the days proceedings (One day maybe - keep dreaming eh!) Things soon progressed to G-Mex and the Bridgewater Hall, where the conference was taking place, although the procession of demonstrators were moving quite slowly it all happened quite quickly because I was surveying the scene through my view - finder! Once at the approach the the marching stopped and there was a brief flurry of activity as a small group of protesters broke off from the main group and tried to get closer to the fenced off entrance to the Bridgewater Hall. Earlier on in the speeches it had been mentioned that a letter of opposition to occupation in the warring countries would be handed to Mr.Brown maybe this was what was trying to be achieved. It certainly caused much action from the huddle of photographers surrounding the group.

By this stage I was safely ensconced on the balcony over looking the scene from outside the entrance to G-Mex. Where I spotted yet more keen photographers, sorry I mean evidence gatherers!

It soon transpired that we weren't the only ones, taking a keen eye on proceedings, as you can see from shots below, there were some interested party delegates and not mention the odd armed policeman lurking about on the rooftops of the Bridgewater hall.

It wasn't long regrettably that I got moved on from this spot for failing to produce a press pass as some chaps with larger lens managed to stay! Must upgrade my camera so I look more pro!! Anyway I couldn't be bothered hanging around for El Gordo to show himself since he was going to be inside the conference for some time, I decided to join the march, having spotted a friend in the crowd before leaving my elevated vantage point I easily blended into the throng of demonstrators. It turned out that my friend was accompanied by two colleagues who had recently been charged for singing "We all lived in a terrorist regime" - to the tune of Yellow submarine, and they were due in court the following day! They were busily collecting signatures for a petition against this ridiculous charge.

Through out the rest of the march that meandered onto Peter's St, onto Deansgate, up Market St past Mark's & Spencer's (the scene of many protests about Israel and it occupation) and then following Cross St back to the square.

Sadly the rain soon came but it didn't seem to dampen people's spirits as they trudged back to the square. Shelter was quickly sought by many under the square's numerous trees as the rain fell heavier still. So it remains to be seen whether El Gordo has paid any attention to this peaceful freedom of speech or whether he will follow in his predecessor's footsteps and send yet more young men, women and not forgetting innocent civilians to their deaths as they are caught up in these conflicts.

All Photography taken by Jon Shack (aka Tourista de Mancunia)©

For more photographs see here...

To Give You A General Idea of My Musical Taste - told you it was diverse!

Bands / Acts / DJ's / Events I have seen / Attended - Date's are sketchy on some!

1. Metallica, Megadeth, The Almighty, Diamonhead - Milton Keynes Bowl (Aged 15 my first Concert - Rock on!)


2. Blur, Boo Radleys, Dodgy, Sparks - Mile End, London


3. Gene - London Astoria


4. Up Bustle & Out - Telfords Warehouse, Chester.


5. Red Snapper - Telfords Warehouse, Chester.


6. Run DMC, Mark B & Blade, Spooks - Nokia Totally Board Stupid Event, Castlefield, Manchester


7. DJ Shadow - Academy, Manchester.


8. J-5, MC Supanatural - Academy, Manchester.


9. 808 State, Home Life, Broke N English, plus loads more - G percussion, Castlefield, Manchester


10. Ray Davies - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.


11. Beth Orton, Ed Harcourt - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.


12. Blak Twang - Industry, Manchester.


13. The Longcut, Day For Airstrikes - Mint Lounge, Manchester.


14. De La Soul - Warehouse Project, Boddingtons Brewery, Manchester


15. XFM Winter Wonderland 12/07 (Manic Street Preachers, Magic Numbers, Badly Drawn Boy, Liam Frost, Mum Ra, Little Man Tate - Manchester Apollo


16. Air - Academy, Manchester.


17. Groove Armada, Calvin Harris - Manchester Apollo


18. Manic Street Preachers, The Enemy - Manchester Apollo


19. The Charlatans, The Paddingtons - Delamere Forest
20. Gossip, New Young Pony Club, The Whip, Gasperilla, The Horrors - Unknown Pleasures, Salford Quays, Manchester

I have seen the following DJ's at various times and at various venues (in no particular order)...

• Carl Cox


• Sasha


• Paul Okenfold


• Pete Tong


• Judge Jules


• Dave Clark


• Andrew Weatherall


• John Digweed


• Nick Warren


• Rob Bright


• Billy Nasty


• David Holmes


• Darren Emerson


• Cut Chemist & DJ Numark


• Norman Jay


• Scratch Perverts


• Mr Scruff


• The Unabombers


• Martin Brew


• Kelvin Brown


• DJ Woody


• Jon K & Kwinzola

Opening Gambit...

Listening to Bloc Party / Weekend In The City

Have started this blog on my 29th Birthday, not because I'm sad, lonely or have no friends - I have loads but I have realised that time is passing quicker and quicker & I am doing little to record my journey through life.

Besides my photography which is damn near habitual I dont record my thoughts, feelings or experiences in any detail. So here goes, I imagine posting on here will be fairly sporadic, as the only time I get to do anything like this is at the weekend or when skinving at work (shhhh!)

So if I keep this up for a year from now I will alas be 30...

Anyway bye for now...

**Edited**

Forgot to mention was born on the same day as the follwing people...

1905 - Jean-Paul Sartre, French philosopher and writer, Nobel Prize

1932 - Lalo Schifrin, Argentine pianist and composer

1944 - Ray Davies, English musician (The Kinks)

1948 - Ian McEwan, English writer

1955 - Michel Platini, French footballer

1970 - Pete Rock, American rapper/producer

1973 - Juliette Lewis, American actress

1982 - Prince William of Wales, British prince

And I'm one day older than Frank Lampard!