JBB Live at The Cardwell

Friday afternoon was one of those moments where you can almost feel the shift in the air. After a short break, Jack Burr Band (JBB) returned to the stage for our first gig of the year at The Cardwell Arms in Adlington. For me, standing behind the lens and documenting it for Visions By Design was less like a show and more like a reunion, a gathering of familiar faces, loyal followers and a reminder of how powerful live music can be in bringing people together.

The Cardwell Arms has always been a welcoming place and stepping into its beer garden on this particular Friday you could sense the anticipation. The weather wasn’t in our favour, a grey, overcast sky hung overhead however the atmosphere told a completely different story. The garden was full, the regulars were ready and there was an unmistakable warmth that only happens when music, friends and sunshine meet in spirit.

From the very first notes, Chris, Andy and Paul were in excellent form. Their high spirits were infectious, rippling out across the tables and into the crowd. I’ve always said that photographing JBB is more than capturing a band on stage, it’s about freezing those in-between moments: the shared glances, the tapping feet, the audience swaying along in time. That’s where the magic lives and Friday afternoon was full of it.

One of the real highlights for me was being able to debut something new. For the first time, the JBB flag made its appearance, a bold symbol of the collaboration between Jack Burr Band and Visions By Design. Seeing it raised in front of the stage was a proud moment. It wasn’t just about branding or visuals; it was a signal that this year we’re building something together, uniting music and imagery in a way that celebrates community and creativity side by side.

Despite the clouds above us, the mood couldn’t have been brighter. That’s the beauty of live music. It creates its own kind of weather. As I looked through the lens, I found myself smiling more than once. There were no artificial spotlights needed, no staged backdrops. The real glow came from the people, from the laughter and from the way the music threaded itself through the crowd.

For me personally after weeks without live shows, the return carried an extra layer of meaning, for the band, for the audience and for me as a photographer. It was about reminding ourselves why we do this. The joy, the togetherness and the chance to freeze time for just a fraction of a second so it can be revisited later.

As the weekend unfolded into more garden parties, it was clear this was just the beginning. But Friday at The Cardwell Arms will stand out as a milestone. The first step back, the first chords struck, the first flag raised.

Thank You for the Support

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support us on Friday.
Your presence made the night what it was and we couldn’t do it without you.

If you took any photos or videos, we’d love to see them!
Please share them with us, we’d be proud to feature them right here on our site and on our socials.

Until next time,
Jack Burr Band (JBB)