ESC Insight photographer Steven Newby headed out to meet Blue yesterday for a short interview – which then proceeded to become a lunch that’s going to be a treasured memory for Steven for a long time. Here’s why, in his own words…
The taxi ride up to the airport hotel where Blue are staying was full of anticipation as we all sifted through the pre-prepared questions. It would be a busy few minutes for us, we knew we wouldn’t have much time to spend with the boys. After we arrived in the foyer and were met by Stuart MacDonald, BBC’s Head of Press and we expected to be out almost as quickly as we arrived.
We were taken up to a conference room where the guys were already being interviewed by a fairly new radio station, the packed up just a few minutes after we entered the room and were very warmly greeted by Duncan, Simon, Anthony and Lee. We were made to feel extremely welcome and relaxed by everyone, it was a very easy-going atmosphere and everyone started general chit-chatting almost immediately.
The first interview was conducted ín-the-round as I circled around everyone trying to get the best shots. That lasted about five minutes, after which everyone, faces beaming with smiles, congratulated the guys on their very well presented rehearsals so far. You really got the sense that Blue fully understand the mammoth task ahead of them, but not once did they give the impression they are being flippant or dismissive of what is about to happen. Their careers, as reported by many in the mainstream UK Press, could lie in the balance if there is a bad result. But no one in that room seriously thought that will happen with such a polished and professional act.
At this point the lads’ meals arrived and their first interviewers left. I was asked to hang around to take some more shots for the second journalist that shared the taxi fare with us – of course I obliged!
Steven Newby meets Blue
Lee and Duncan both asked us if we minded allowing them to eat as their schedule hadn’t afforded them the luxury of food for many hours. While eating, the boys asked us some background questions to this huge competition and covered off how their competitors will be selected and who stood a reasonable chance of managing to get into the final.
It was a lovely insight into them all, especially as they were genuinely interested in what we had to say and even asked us for our opinions on what they should do to ensure they had the best chance of winning. I am sure many, many people have given them many, many disparate answers to those sorts of questions, I mentioned that previous acts had done badly as they did not charm their audience by looking right down the camera and smiling, a lot. All four of them are good at that, I casually remarked.
We also spoke about some of the weird and wonderful questions they had been asked by the various international members of the press, some pretty harmless joke-styled questions and others that would make your hair curl A particular favourite of the band’s was ‘which Lady GaGa outfit would you wear’, but another that was highlighted by them was when they are asked if they’d have sex with another guy to ensure a win. Gasps were heard!
After about 20 minutes of eating time the second interview started, again I was there to capture some stills for the station this interview was for. Many years of experience has taught these guys how to make their responses appear effortless and easy, almost like a conversation with your pals and extremely unpretentious.
There is no doubt in my mind that they are taking what they are doing extremely seriously and respect 100% the establishment and history of this contest. They are genuinely loving being here as the European continent’s media is focused on them, they understand the risk they are taking from a UK media perspective, yet are so comfortable with the job in-hand. They are true professionals, and very human. The obligatory group photos were taken and hands shaken.
It’s 45 minutes I will never forget.
Brilliant article, what a lovely time was had by all!