London HMV Forum Kentish Town camera policy

[boingboing]

Hi, am off to see Marina & the Diamonds tomorrow at the HMV Forum in Kentish Town. Have been to 3 previous gigs this year and taken photos with my mobile phone most of which were awful. I did contact the venue and they said that this particular artist had not banned cameras. They suggested a small digital camera would be ok for this gig. I have a Panasonic Lumix TZ5 which I would class as a medium camera (it looks nothing like a mobile phone). Would love to take a few pics of the gig but do not want my camera confiscated. Does anyone have any info on this venue re. their policy on cameras (ie how vigilant and strict are they). Am upstairs on the balcony either seated or more likely standing. Never been to venue before so any help greatly appreciated. With or without camera I will still enjoy the gig. Thanks!

[andy-hughes]

I think most venues have more or less abandoned trying to stop fans taking pictures - the advent of mobiles and the net has seen such a proliforation that its an unstoppable tide.

As a general rule, if you are obviously a fan taking pics for your own use, they won't be too fussed. If you were using a two-grand camera and snapping from the front row, that would be an issue because professional snappers usually have agreements about where their work will be used, and they can be relied on to get god quality shots that will show the artist in a good light (literally!)

So as long as you don't make a big deal about it, be discreet and keep your eyes open for security, you should be OK.

[snags]

The below paragraph is taken from a longer HMV Forum venue review on 23rd October (last Tuesday):

''And then you have the fact that I was forced to check my camera with the office in front. Apparently the HMV Forum has a 'policy' whereby cameras aren't allowed in the theatre. "But what about the 5000 smartphones in there right now?" I asked the guard out front while gesturing to the theatre entrance. "Sorry, it's our policy." Oh yeah? Your policy is archaic and dumb.''

[snags]

Ooops... just realised the OP asked this question 3 weeks ago!

[boingboing]

Thanks for all the answers, don't worry snags your input still v helpful as I go to a lot of gigs. As it happens I took the panasonic lumix camera, took loads of photos from the balcony where I was standing and got no hassle whatsoever from the staff. In fact I would say the staff there were the most helpful and friendly at any gig I've been to. It was a great gig! Thanks and sorry for taking so long to reply to your posts.