Recipes Used:
We are back at KOKO in Camden for a show that I have had circled on my calendar for months now.
On her birthday, Mereba comes through after the release of her second studio album "The Breeze Grew a Fire".
With Mereba was support act Natanya who I have covered before – albeit briefly – when she was part of The Blues Projects curated set @ Cross The Tracks a couple years ago.
Since then, she has evolved her art dramatically, most notably in her visuals, as you will see now as she pulls up in a pinup girl fit that the crowd was very much liking…
I change to the 75mm at this point. The 35mm is used sparingly in this set, the reason for which will become clear as we go.
If you have seen the last time I was @ KOKO – covering Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – then you know what happened after three songs.
They kick the photographers out of the pit. So, I went to the side and kept shooting.
And that was the evolved Natanya! She was a great subject to shoot. Bit of dance, great songs, she’s got a good future.
I waited your usual amount in between with a toilet & drink break. Shouts to fellow photographer Chidi who I was talking with before we started. We linked up again in the pit, right on time for Mereba.
With the three song limit looming, I decided to get shots of the two-piece band in the back before fully focusing on the headliner.
And then we get to Mereba. I’ve been a fan of her since her debut album dropped in 2019.
A great check off my “see live” list.
And just like that, we got kicked out. We had plenty of show to go, so I went back into this little coving space that KOKO has and continued to shoot without being a complete nuisance to people around me.
I was actually enjoying being from this vantage point. The bokeh – influenced by people’s phones – really made for good looks.
At this point, the phones went down and the lighting in KOKO really shined.
(She also got gifted flowers from one of the audience members.)
But that may not be my favourite part! Because we also got some monochrome to see.
I slow down my shooting at around this time but I still got some heat to tie this set up beautifully.
Apart from nearly missing out on her birthday cake – and even then getting a less-than-desirable shot – this was one of my favourite sets this year.
Whilst I could moan about the three-song limit that KOKO imposes, the stage and lighting setup in there – up there with The Jazz Café in terms of quality and presence – more than make up for it.
Thanks to Mereba’s management for the opportunity and thank you for getting this far.
Charlie Taylor
chillicharlie.taylor@gmail.com
Born in Camden, North London.
Bred in Leigh-On-Sea, Essex.
Screenwriter/Podcaster/Photographer/
Hip-Hop Student.