MUERDOS ON EXPERIMENTAL CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY & DOCUMENTING LIVERPOOL’S MUSIC SCENE

WRITTEN BY OSCAR H. PHOTOS

HAZY: You experiment with lighting, colour and shadow in much of your photography at concerts. What draws you to capturing these elements in a photograph, and is there anything else you would like to experiment with visually in the future?

MUERDOS: When I go to concerts, something that I always remember are the visuals of a gig, the colours and lighting, are so key for that. Those two elements alone can tell the mood of a song or an artist, almost like theatre. It’s even better if there’s accidental lighting that makes a scene and its shadows look otherworldly - that’s something I always look out for, as those moments can be very brief but can make a picture tell so much.

I love playing about with colours too as I feel they convey emotion, though recently I’ve started to dip my feet into a more monochrome palette as an experiment and it’s been quite interesting as black and white pictures can be just as, if not more dramatic than colour! I’ve also started to play about with attachable filters too and I’ve loved using the Hoya Star-Six filter... it makes my photos literally sparkle! 

In the future I’d want to get the chance to use an art lens. It would help me get the sharper intricate details on an artist, allowing me to try some extreme close ups of the accessories they have or what clothes they’re wearing too, since these aspects are usually done with intention and would feel more personal to the artist.

Experimenting with lighting at a Natanya concert. Photographed by Muerdos.

I recently caught up with Liverpool photography Muerdos, who has spent the past few years documenting concerts, with a particular focus on concerts in Liverpool and the North-West. When it comes to photographing the local music scene, Muerdos brings in an experimental angle, playing with lighting and colour, not just choosing to focus on the artist themselves, but also the aesthetic of their music and style.

From working with local artists such as KOJ, to attending concerts where musicians such as Natanya or Tyler the Creator are performing, Muerdos’ work continues to grow, and bring exposure to artists in Liverpool and further afield.

I sat down with Muerdos to speak about the creative processes behind her concert photography, her choice in utilising abstract colour and lighting to enhance an artist, and the importance of documenting the music scene in Liverpool.

HAZY: Tell me a bit about yourself. Where are you from/based, which creative practice do you specialise in?

MUERDOS: Hiya, I’m Muerdos! I’m based in Liverpool, and I specialise specifically in concert photography.

HAZY: What camera do you use? Do you remember what influenced you to first start pursuing photography?

MUERDOS: I first started practicing photography whilst I worked as a marketing intern at LJMU for their sports department. I figured a more student-focused range of content would help boost our social media with pictures from each of the various different activities they host, allowing us to showcase the variety of different people that attended each session and how dynamic each one can be.

I thoroughly enjoyed it despite not coming from a particularly sporty background, I found I could add my own flair by capturing the more emotive side of sport; the joy of winning a game or learning a new move, the tough moments of struggling for the last deal breaking goal or immortalising the Bambi-like feeling of starting something new and giving it a go. From this, I decided to blend my newfound passion for photography with my long-term passion for music - through concert photography. It was an experimental creative decision that I’m so glad I made! 

At first, I quickly found you couldn’t bring professional kit to gigs with a standard ticket, so I immediately started searching for other ways to get some exciting and worthwhile pictures at a show without a press pass. I found that a lot of people had used either their iPhone or digital cameras so I went to find a good digital camera that could handle the low lighting yet fast pace of live shows. I used part of my savings and bought a little second-hand Sony RX 100 and initially, I was doubtful of it, wondering if it really was a good idea to semi-impulsively buy it but I’d gone past the return deadline at that point so I figured I may as well give it my best shot.

I brought it to a Kaytranada show in Manchester and made sure to get a centre spot at the barrier, it was a long grind waiting it out, but the shots made it so worth it!! As I've attended more shows and built up more of a portfolio, also buying a Canon 100d kit and a Tamron 70-200mm lens, I decided to build up my confidence and start asking for a press pass. I haven't looked back since.

HAZY: Much of your work documents the music scene in the North. Explain why it is important for you to document the creative talent coming out the North and bringing exposure to the region's music artists?

MUERDOS: I often feel like upcoming northern talent, specifically scouse talent, is overlooked in the modern music scene, which makes me so sad as it’s truly an underrated area for creativity, especially as a city built on music and art. The blow up of EsDeeKid is a prime example of scouse innovation, the flecks and flair of his accent on the distorted vaportrap inspired backing tracks just go so well together giving that sinister punchy sound. With my photography, I hope to be able to showcase that talent with my own style and also provide them with additional content to help promote themselves. 

I recently photographed the TRiBE event that the lovely people at Africa Oyé and the LIMF Academy organised. Being in that atmosphere further pushed my belief on scouse aptitude with music and culture, the spirit I experienced whilst photographing was just on a different level with Philly D and the attitude on his Drill mixed with the Afro-Swing, Tee’s storytelling lyricism, Amber Rose’s crazy mixes on her sets, and Koj’s emotive yet powerful and poignant raps, accompanied by Jude on the drums with his insane technique. I don’t think I’ve even seen someone drum as passionately as him before! I feel that I was successfully able to really show just how different that energy was on the night via the various pictures I took, and capturing that atmosphere and passion is exactly what I intend to do with my work.

KOJ, Tee and Jude behind the scenes at the TRiBE event at Liverpool Philharmonic, February 2026.

HAZY: Do you have a particular backstory to any of your photographs?

MUERDOS: My Tyler the Creator pictures for sure. It was the third gig I’d ever brought my digital camera to and I’d originally bought seats that were up in the stand, miles away from the main stage and I couldn’t get any decent shots, a tragedy! I was so annoyed and wanted to do something about it but didn’t have the slightest idea on what I could do. I got up from my seat and walked to a merch stand trying to understand the layout of the venue; there were security guards on every single door you could think of, but at one door was a security guard I had spoken to not even the week before at a festival.

I went up to him and just started having a catch up with him, then brought up how we had seats with a not so fantastic view, swiftly adding how I’d love to be in standing. He said to try to speak to guest services about changing seats as they were offering closer seats to the stage. I immediately bolted to them and successfully managed to score some closer seats for both my mate and I! I met up with my mate, went back to the security guard I knew, and told him I managed to get an upgrade. He was made up for us, and let us in the lift to the other seats!

Another security guard waited in the lift. “Which floor?”

“Ground, for standing.”

“Can I see your wrist bands?”

At this point I had to think on my feet, so I told him we literally just upgraded our tickets - we didn’t have a standing wrist band. I quickly flashed our tickets in front of him. To my friend and I’s surprise, he agreed to take us to the ground floor!

As we left the lift, the hallway to the pit was almost empty, it was the final stretch. I took my mate's hand and said “don’t say anything just follow me” and made a beeline to the entrance of the standing area.

Just as we were about to go through, we saw 3 security guards right next to us but thankfully they were sorting out another group, so I took the risk and ran through.

Finally, we were in standing and deep into the crowd too. It was such a crazy feeling, but I was so immensely happy to be there. I was able to take some fantastic shots that night and the adrenaline of successfully sneaking into standing made it all the more exciting. 

Tyler the Creator, captured by Muerdos.

HAZY: How do you believe the current hip-hop scene in the UK is changing, since you have been photographing it? Do you believe there is still a lot of influence from old school hip-hop artists, or are you seeing a new wave of artists emerging at the gigs you photograph?

MUERDOS: As I haven’t actually been photographing concerts for that long (only since last April!) I haven’t been able to see the long-term change from that perspective. Regardless, due to the way social media is and how high stakes are to have your own space in the scene, I’d still say it’s changed a fair bit. I think there is absolutely a new wave of artists coming about (in terms of style, musically and branding), from mostly a listener POV, I’ve seen many of them create their own unique yet memorable branding, which has been so inspiring and influential on my own work too. Artists are constantly pushing their limits looking for the next thing to add to their style and it’s something I absolutely admire. A lot also pay homage to their predecessors per genre too and that’s becoming even more prevalent. 

My top artist ever PinkPantheress is such an example of this, utilising samples of UK Garage in her work constantly for her kitschy style and even doing full collabs with others such as releasing with UKG legend MJ Cole a reworked infamous track of his “Sincere” to “Still Sincere”. I listen to it daily as it picks me up with her soft melodic harmonies mixed with the original vocals, to the skippy high hats on it that make it more upbeat. 

Another smaller but upcoming artist that has hit the nail on the head with branding and style is Natanya, a pop icon in the making with her dramatic curl bang and striking spots and stripes. Her EP “Feline’s Return Act II” employs a soft bounce from the RNB style with a gentle but deep Soulquarians inspired bass line attributing to her overall glowy aesthetic. This is actually what I particularly liked about her whole design, and it inspired me to adopt a bit of glimmer and glow to my own style of editing!

My favourite two songs from the album have to be “Jezebel” and “Meeting You Once (The End)”, particularly “Jezebel”. Written as a letter to herself, has the perfect amount of comfort and encouragement. I listen to it when I’m feeling like I’m in a bit of a slump and it brings me right back up to speed.

You can keep up to date with Muerdos’ portfolio and her documentation of Liverpool’s music scene through her Instagram: