Photography: Patti Smith @ Empire Shepherds Bush.

By Kim Ford

Patti Smith was photographed by Rockshot photographer Kim Ford at the Shepherds Bush Empire. Kim is another of our new featured photographers this week and it was great of her to step in and help because we had photographers at three different music gigs on the night.

: Captured by Kim Ford

Patti Smith opened her set with Ask The Angels and followed with Privilege (Set Me Free). On this set Kim got to two songs in which to capture her images and there were shooting restrictions in place meaning she could only photograph from the sides of the pit.

Patti Smith live at the Empire Shepherds Bush

By Kim Ford

Kim used the following equipment was Canon 5D III with 24-70mm f/2.8L II Lens.
and settings were between ISO 3200-4000, f/125 at f/2.8 – 4.0

The Wildhearts @ O2 Academy Islington (Louise Phillips)

The Wildhearts vs. Meryl Streek Ignite London’s O2 Academy Islington

Tonight is The Wildhearts’ traditional December London show, a dual celebration of Christmas and Ginger Wildheart’s birthday — he turns 61 on 17th December. This year the festivities take place at North London’s O2 Academy Islington, with Meryl Streek as the sole support act.

Spike And The Gimme Gimmes @ O2 Forum Kentish Town (Nick Allan)

Here’s Another Cover: Spike And The Gimme Gimmes Turn Christmas Into A Punk Rock Singalong Riot

Spike And The Gimme Gimmes don’t just play shows – they turn rooms into shared experiences, where sweat, nostalgia, and punk energy collide at full volume. On this night, at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town, that collision came wrapped in Christmas lights, tinsel, and unapologetic festive excess.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Spread Their Love To The Troxy

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – the garage heroes who’ve ‘spread their love’ across the globe before selling out...

Drink The Sea @ Jazz Cafe (Adrian Hextall)

Drink The Sea Cast A Spell On London’s Jazz Café

London gets its first taste of Drink The Sea tonight, and it immediately feels like something special. Touring in...

Better Joy @ Hammersmith Apollo (Kalpesh Patel)

Better Joy’s Rise Continues As Manchester Indie-Pop Breakout Commands London’s Hammersmith Apollo

Better Joy’s upward momentum shows no sign of slowing as Bria Keely brings her shimmering indie-pop project to the vast stage of Hammersmith Apollo on 20th November 2025, opening for Amy Macdonald. It’s a landmark moment for the Manchester-based songwriter, whose journey from intimate rooms to arena-sized crowds has accelerated at remarkable speed over the past eighteen months.

Alabama 3 Inject A Hypo Full Of Love Into O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

The enigma that is Alabama 3, the world’s only acid house country band, are the perfect strong finish to 2025. Holographic suits, raving to John Pine covers and even the AI resurrection of deceased co-founder Reverend D Wayne Love take second place to the overwhelming sense of joy in an eclectic community that’s coalesced around their charismatic music.

GUV Unveils Euphoric New Single ‘Warmer Than Gold’ Ahead of January Album Release

GUV has shared a new single, Warmer Than Gold, the latest offering from his forthcoming album of the same name, due...

Mumford & Sons Return Home Renewed And Reignited At The O2 Arena

Mumford & Sons often still conjure images of waistcoats, banjos and the folk revival that erupted in 2009, but...