Guest blogger: Jenny Soep on the art of gig-going

[All images are copyright (c) Jenny Soep, jennysoep.blogspot.com
Music: Cancel the Astronauts - 'Love Somebody']

Gig reviewers are easy to spot. They stand at the back with an eyebrow arched, casting furtive glances around the room for fellow scribes to conspire with, while intermittently scratching out illegible hieroglyphics on a dog-eared notepad.

But a gig illustrator? That would be even more conspicuous. Artist Jenny Soep doesn't mind the attention though, and for the past couple of years she has set out to capture the excitement of live music in a series of impressionistic drawings.

A showcase of her work is above, and here she explains why she does it...


The first time I drew live music was in 2000 at the Dundee Jazz Festival. I'm a sucker for good jazz and since I couldn't join in, I drew my experience of it instead.

The idea came from being moved by music and wanting to translate my experience of it into a drawing. I'm amazed how different types of music can incite different reactions/emotions in people and I wanted to see if I could express or capture that by drawing it as it's being performed. I believe the sensibilities of art and music go hand in hand.

I like to think I've created a little niche for myself, though it can get very claustrophobic at times.

The reaction from bands has been varied, though mostly bemusedly positive. I used to draw from the audience/mosh pit. Now I'm normally in the press pit drawing, although I was up on stage with Maximo Park at their last gig in Glasgow. They knew I was coming, but expected me to arrive with an easel and canvas. Hah, maybe one day, but not usually a thing I could get away with in the confines of the press pit!

I was drawing Jeffrey Lewis and the Junkyard after going to Jeff's lecture on The Watchmen comic (which was great). Jeff asked when my anthology was going to come out.

But my favourite experience this year was drawing David Byrne at his Glasgow show back in March. He's got the drawings up on his website.

Words: Jenny Soep
Photograph: Stephan Rambow

See more of Jenny's work on her blog at jennysoep.blogspot.com.

There is a Multimedia Expo event on 14 Oct, 6pm at the Music Library, Edinburgh with live music by Edinburgh band Found, live drawings/animations/projections - and drawings by the audience are encouraged! Free but ticketed Email garry.gale@edinburgh.gov.uk.