The Pirates Reunion Gig #TeamJanine
The Pirates Raise the Roof in North Shields - A Night of Music, Memory and Community coming together for Janine Turnbull.
On a packed and emotional evening in North Shields, The Pirates returned to the stage for a one-off reunion gig that was about far more than music.
Held at King Street Social Club, the sold-out event brought together friends, families and long-time supporters to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease research under the banner of Team Janine. The night was a tribute, a celebration of life, love and community spirit and the atmosphere in the room reflected that from the very first chord.
The Pirates are known locally for their full, energetic sound and wide-ranging setlists, and this reunion was no exception. From classic singalongs to emotional anthems, the dancefloor was rarely empty. There were moments of pure joy, arms in the air, voices raised together and quieter moments too, where the room seemed to hold its breath in shared reflection.
One of the biggest surprises of the night came when local hero Sam Fender stepped onto the stage, joining his dad Alan Fender and brother Liam Fender. The crowd erupted. It was one of those goosebump moments that you simply can’t script, raw, heartfelt and unmistakably North Shields.
But at the heart of the night was John, Janine’s husband, one of the main singers in the band and someone carrying both grief and strength onto that stage. To stand in front of a packed room and perform under those circumstances takes extraordinary courage. There was something incredibly powerful about watching him talking about Janine, sing, not just as a musician, but as a husband honouring his wife. The emotion was there, but so was the resilience. The crowd were fully behind him, and you could feel that collective support in every applause, every cheer, every lyric sung back at the stage
For me personally, this night was something I’ll never forget, because it was my first time ever photographing a live gig and I got to spend it with fellow ILNS photographers Jess and Wayne and writer Mark, which made the evening even better!
To step into that environment for the first time, the lights constantly shifting, the movement, the energy, the unpredictability, felt both exhilarating and slightly terrifying. And what a performance to cut your teeth on. What a room. What a cause. And what stars to have in front of my lens.
Photographing Liam Fender was an absolute highlight for me. He was electric on stage, full of personality, constantly moving, completely immersed in the music. There’s something magical about photographing a performer who gives everything physically and emotionally, every frame feels alive. It pushed me creatively in the best way.
Live music photography is a different rhythm entirely from landscapes and sunrises, it’s instinctive, reactive, fast. You’re chasing light instead of waiting for it. But in many ways, it felt similar too. It’s about presence. It’s about reading a moment before it happens. It’s about capturing feeling.
Beyond the headline moments, what stood out most was the unity in the room. This wasn’t just a gig; it was a reminder of what this town does best. People showed up. They supported. They sang. They donated. They stood together.
Photographing the night felt like documenting something deeply personal to the community, fleeting expressions, embraces between songs, laughter through tears, and the unmistakable electricity of live music played with purpose. These are the moments that matter. The ones that linger long after the amps are switched off.
North Shields has always had music running through its veins and this night proved once again that when it comes together, it does so with heart.
And for me? It marked the beginning of something new a first step into gig photography I’ll always remember. Big thank you to Simmie and Kris for giving me this opportunity.
My photographs were also featured in the Newcastle Chronicle.
Main photo is Sam Fender pictured with Mark Robert.
