// The Loud Pixels Music Photography Blog

The two hairy heroes were back in town for an electrified set at the Somerset house, Cedric and Omar jumping up and down, an ecstatic audience and this time a proper sound too, that is Mars Volta.

Mars Volta at Somerset House, London - 13 July 2009

A last ever show in London for the old metal band Thunder and their dedicated fans with banners of farewell at the Hammersmith Apollo.

Thunder at Hammersmith Apollo, London - 11 July 2009

And again a few days before that was David Guetta playing on the dark stage of the Roundhouse for the iTunes festival, joined by the very expected Kelly Rowland at the end of his set, the very end, so much at the end that they had to cut short after just one song and the lights went all on for the venue strict curfew.

Kelly Rowland with David Guetta at the Roundhouse iTunes festival July 8 2009

Now within a few days the sad news about the death of the King of pop arrive and the Sticky & Sweet tour of the Queen of pop kick starts at the O2. Apparently she had envisaged appearing with MJ on some of his O2 dates, but last night she played a tribute to him. I’m probably not the only one who can say that their first two owned LP were from Michael Jackson and Madonna, and it was quite something to be photographing her show last night! Well ok we were placed far away behind the mixing desk so not quite the emotion that would have been to be at her feet but still, that was Madonna!!

Madonna's Sticky & Sweet tour opening at the O2 Arena, London - July 4th 2009

I’m still a bit behind for some other shows and I will try to catch up soon. Friday night was the colourful Gypsy Hotel with bands and burlesques, headlined by the Urban Voodoo Machine. For a start here are the set from the brilliant Cesarians, fronted by a frontman genius who I have photographed many times before, Charlie Finke (previously of Penthouse and Blood Safari).

The cesarians live at Gypsy Hotel, Hackney Empire, July 3rd 2009