Week in, week out we run concert reviews and photographs from gigs and festivals across the UK and overseas, provided by our talented team of writers and photographers in the UK and further afield.
They do an incredible job; under sometimes difficult circumstances in the case of the guys and gals with the camera. It may be a closed pit and having to shoot from way back in an arena or festival site.
There may be only one song for them to get their shots, instead of the usual first three songs bands and artists usually allow professional snappers to shoot. The lighting can often be a challenge to say the least. And many more hurdles to clear to be able to do their job.
So, this special “Hot Shots” feature salutes each and every photographer who has contributed to our live coverage in 2025, with the “Editor’s Choice” of 15 of the best shots [in no particular order] published in our “Live Zone” this year.
- McFly’s Tom Fletcher @ Rock N Roll Circus Norwich – Photo by Liam Battersby
- Orbital @ Wilderness Festival – Photo by Manja Williams
- Yukina of Japanese metal band Hanabie, 02 Institute Birmingham – Photo by Jason Sheldon
- Volbeat, Wembley Arena London – Photo by Liam Battersby
- Gary Numan, Brighton Centre – Photo by Manja Williams
- Skin of Skunk Anansie @ UEA Norwich – Photo by Liam Battersby
- Jacob Collier, Love Supreme Festival – Photo by Manja Williams
- Nxdia @ The Great Escape Festival Brighton – Photo by Alex Asprey
- Basement Jaxx, Wilderness Festival – Photo by Manja Williams
- Rita Ora, Carfest Hampshire – Photo by Liam Battersby
- James Brandon Lewis, Cheltenham Jazz Festival – Photo by Fred van Leeuwen
- The Pigeon Detectives, Y Not Festival Derbyshire – Photo by Liam Battersby
- The Molotovs, Prince Albert Brighton – Photo by Manja Williams
- Issey Carts of The Molotovs, Prince Albert Brighton – Photo by Manja Williams
- Eagles Of Death Metal @ Hellfest France – Photo by David Bronstein
Photo of guitar silhouette @ Hellfest, France – top of the page [for illustrative purposes] – by Claire Kateri Edwards
