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Two raves in Spain, 5 months apart. Same-ish UK rave crew #doubleexposure #accidentalart #filmphotography #filmisnotdead Best guess is @lesterlloyd at #viñatek with 'Tunnel Vision Snap' game arms from either @georgia_quality_kent @trueloverosa or Nat/Moggy at Bristol Blast Barcelona....! . . . . . . #freeparty #teknival #raveculture #undergroundrave #documentaryphotography #fineartphotography #allanalog #mollymacindoephotography (at Spain)

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Final day to catch the #documentingtheraveroad exhibition Get down to #thesubculturearchives @carnabylondon before 7pm this evening to see the show and enter the #captioncompetition. Link in profile. Open until 7pm this evening Oct 4th. Exhibition posters available to buy. @youthclubsocial . . . . #whatsoninlondon #photojousting #socialdocumentary #photoexpo #carnabylondon #raveculture #freeparties #teknivals #filmisnotdead #allanalog #pentaxmx #afforadableart #documentaryphotography #uktek #undergroundraves #mollymacindoephotography

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The story of how I met Nanny Mary, and a reminder that “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry”, but things happen for a reason -- don’t be blinded by disappointment, because there may be a silver lining and who knows what better place that will take you.

Months before leaving for New Zealand, I’d happened upon an upcoming event there that was right up my street! : The annual Tūrangawaewae Regatta – a rare chance to see traditional intricately-carved Waka Taua (war canoes) take to the Waikato River as a display to honour the mana of the Kīngitanga (the Māori King movement).

The date was engrained into my memory, with the first section of my trip scheduled around it, but, to my deepest regret, due to bad planning I couldn’t get there until the last hour, missing the final river show and paddle salute to the King. Absolutely gutted and needing comfort, I made a beeline for the food tent, clearly almost packed down with a few loiterers taking shelter from the heat.  One stall holder took pity and offered me what has now become one of my fave dishes here: raw fish marinated in coconut cream with spring onions and bell peppers.  I sat down at the only remaining table, feeling shy but kinda hoping that my strange hair and appearance might bring someone over and chat. It worked!

A late-middle-aged man pulled up a chair: “So…what’s your name and where are you from?” It was my very good fortune to be talking to a Kaumātua (Māori elder), held in high esteem in the community and recognised for their life experiences and knowledge. An hour and a half later I’d been given a informative outline about the history of the Kīngitanga, starting from the migration of Tahitian Islanders to Aotearoa (NZ), to land wars with Colonial occupiers, the unification of Māori tribes, to modern day race relations and the role of the King today plus the related history and importance of the Tūrangawaewae Marae House.  On my enquiring about other events happening there, Te Rongapai cordially invited me to a Poukai happening two days from then: One of an annual series of visits by the Māori king to Kīngitanga marae, a tradition that dates back to the 19th century, instituted to “feed the widowed, the bereaved and the destitute”. Kawe Mate (grieving families) can attend as a tribute to their loved ones who have died recently, and the gathering also serves as a platform for community discussion. 

So...mixed first thoughts: honour at being invited but fear of this unknown, presumably emotional and private community affair.  But what were the odds that I could be so thouroughly disappointed by missing the waka event only to be invited to a this? There was no question about saying yes.. despite much nervousness about going on my own, with no way to contact my one tenuous connection there and not even being sure it was actually alright to attend.....

.....I’d asked about dress code and been vehemently assured that there was none, and to wear anything I wanted. So, come Monday morning, there I was, stepping out of my car, wearing an odd pick-n-mix of clean travel-clothes -- a nice, but multi-coloured dress, turquoise sweater and a shiny gold leopard print scarf…quickly realising that every other person in sight was dressed head to toe in black!

Expecting there to be a gaggle of guests waiting by the main arch, I saw two young woman looking similarly apprehensive.  In fact, they worked for a company that managed tribal assets and their uniform logo instantly was recognised by everyone there.  So… I really was the only random pakeha (non-Maori / white European) in the 200-strong turnout. Tall, blonde-dreadlocked, in brightly coloured clashing clothing – feeling conspicuous much?? Wanting to shrink into my (thankfully) black shoes, I took a deep breathe, put on my best polite smile and pretended not to be totally mortified.  Everything became instantly better when a woman stepped off a bus with a beaming smile that was constantly on the verge of laughter.  Nanny Mary was there to look after the other two ladies, but, after the initial surprise finding out I was a random who’d come from the other side of the world, Mary took me under her wing for the rest of the day, guiding me through three hours of singing and speeches, a 30-40 person line-up for the hongi (The traditional Māori greeting pressing noses together), followed by a gigantic feast held inside the Marae, every table overflowing with traditional dishes of all kinds. She even let me take her picture outside of the main entrance showing me the iwi’s (tribe) insignia on her scarf  – ALL other photography was strictly forbidden.  Throughout, Mary’s bubbly, genuine, warm and kind persona made me feel entirely welcome, her laughter infectious and by the time I left, with numbers swapped, felt like I’d gained a much-appreciated new friend at the beginning of my journey in this Land of the Long White Cloud.

Moral of the blog: If I’d gone to the regatta in full swing as planned and been in the big crowds watching the war canoes, I never would have met an talked with Te Rongapai, nor had the very special honour of experiencing the Poukai and not met Nanny Mary..and experienced such kindness from strangers.

If you made it all the way through…thanks for reading.  I recorded this story most importantly because for once I have practically no photos to remember by…only words and thoughts. 

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#viewfromaroom #girlsontour #roadtrip #fortresssalzburg #holidays #mollymacindoephotography (at Festung Hohensalzburg - Fortress Hohensalzburg)

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‘I will always love you’ – A young apprentice is taught how to slaughter and prepare a sheep by a Wairarapa farmer. Opaki, Wairarapa, Aotearoa (NZ) April, 2019

Okay, before you turn away in disgust hear me out. First off, I’m a squeamish vegetarian who hates gore and harm to any creatures aside from moths. Most who know me would be surprised I took this. However, I’m also a reportage photographer, addicted to travel, adventures, and fascinated by new experiences.

In April this year I was invited to stay on my friend Steven’s family ‘lifestyle’ farm in the town of Opaki, near Masterton in the Wairarapa area of Aotearoa (NZ).  Whenever my friend had joked about one of his chores being helping to kill sheep, I’d feign distaste: “nice, I’ll leave you to it then”.  

Except a morning came when, sleepily sipping at some green tea, Steven asked if I fancied catching some sheep.  Not thinking about the reason behind it I eagerly grabbed some over-sized gumboots (wellies) and jumped into the ‘ute’ off to a neighbouring farm to help herd some wild sheep into a corner by waving arms and shouting when they charged at me. Being a city-girl, this was every bit intriguing and exciting. Feeling exhilarated from the experience, I hadn’t really considered their final outcome until watching Dennis, Steven’s step-father and a wiry but strong farmer in his 60s, catching hold of and picking each sheep up, inspecting its nether regions and sorting for either breeding or eating.

Back at the farm, and now loading up my charging sheep herd videos onto Instagram, Dennis strode past with a rifle and Steven, following in turn, called out to me and said, “whaddaya reckon, want to watch?” Opening my mouth to say ‘no thanks’ and came out with, “er…yeah why not?”, I grabbed the DSLR and slipped those gumboots back on.

At the end of the day, this was undeniably quintessential farm life, New Zealand life and probably the most humane and responsible way to put meat on the table, to be shared amongst all the neighbouring farms.   I’d never seen an animal get slaughtered, let alone a couple of feet away within blood-splattering distance.  My observer-recorder side was captivated, detached and quashed any nauseous instincts to look away even at the most shocking points.

The young man in the picture is Sam, the 16-year old son of one of the neighbours and had just started apprenticing for Dennis that week – chopping wood, driving tractors, doing odd jobs around the property, etc. but this was his first ever time involved in killing, gutting and skinning a sheep.  I wonder if his gaze would have the same striking mix of curiosity and sympathy with a few more kills under his belt.  I doubt he expected to be under photographic scrutiny this first time. All three men cracked bad jokes throughout, Dennis was a seasoned pro, but clearly it took a great deal of physical strength handling the kill, stripping the skin from bone with his bare hands.  I’ve got great respect for anyone that catches and kills their food up close and personal.

Almost every part of that sheep was getting used. Steven, a director / filmmaker, kept a big freezer full of all the sheep’s guts to use for special effects in the horror film he was in the throes of making.What I found most odd was other people’s reactions when I told them about the experience: general disgust and shock. These were kiwis, who regularly eat lamb and feed their families with it.

The tattoo. Afterwards, Steven asked me if I’d been taking pictures of Sam’s tattoo. Being a photographer himself, he’d spotted that excited glint in my eye and sudden total focus on capturing something and he guessed correctly.  The apprentice’s tatt, “I will always love you”, was done in memory of his late younger brother who’d recently died in a tragic accident.

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Exploring the grounds of the renowned #Elabortoire site in Rennes: Home and permanent gallery/artist collective running for an unprecedented 20 years. . #streetartrennes #elaboratoire #randomart #junksculpture #metalsculpture #streetartfrance #graffitirennes #graffitifrance ##pirateskull #skullgraffiti #wanderingthestreets  #unexpectedfrequenciesproject #traveldiary2018 #pentaxphotography #mollymacindoephotography (at L'elabo)

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Two apprehensive young girls aboard the #octopusride at @carnavaldetenerife Santa Cruz funfair look back for parental reassurance... And mum and dad, dressed as a pirate and fairy, vigorously cheer them on. . . . . . . . #carnivalcostumes #carnavaldetenerife2018 #familyfun #funatthefair #fairgroundrides #familyholsintenerife #dayone #traveldiary2018 #youthculture #fancydress #crossdressing #dressedindrag #fairycostume #carnivalfashion #colourphotography #nofilter #pentaxphotography #documentaryphotography #mollymacindoephotography (at Santa Cruz de Tenerife)

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The beautiful @littleninamarie dancing in a beam of sunlight at a London warehouse rave circa 2001. Originally posted by @youthclubsocial last month for international Women's Day, but celebrating the luscious ladies of the world should happen on a daily basis. Image from #outoforderphotobook see profile for link to buy. Check out the @youthclubsocial website for the full #mollymacindoephotography archive of rave photos. . . . . . . #documentaryphotography #britishmusichistory #ukravescene #freeparty #teknival #youthculture #subculture #undergroundrave #35mm #allanalog #filmisnotdead #pentaxphotography #filmphotography #naturallightphotography #abandonedspaces #socialdocumentary #lostinmusic #heritagelotteryfund #ravearchive #mollymacindoephotography 

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Great news!  From today, #outoforderphotobook is now stocked in Manchester at the famous @piccadillyrecords, along with #documentingtheraveroad postcard sets. see profile for link to buy online. . . . . . . . . #pleasedaspunch #documentaryphotography #filmisnotdead #filmphotography #35mm #allanalog #socialdocumentary #photobookjousting #britishmusichistory #ukraves #freeparty #teknival #youthculture #subculture #undergroundraves #mollymacindoephotography  (at Piccadilly Records)

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Lazing on a Sunday afternoon during the 'Trumpkintek' #halloweenrave 2016. #ravebreak #ravecrew #sundayvibes . . . . . . #freeparty #ukrave #abandonedspaces #documentingtheraveroad #documentaryphotography #35mm #allanalog #socialdocumentary #filmisnotdead #filmphotography #ravearchive #counterculture #youthculture #mollymacindoephotography @youthclubsocial #heritagelotteryfund (at Barry, Vale of Glamorgan)

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#ravedout #aftertheballwasover #loungecore #sundayvibes #boysontour in Barcelona. . . . . . . #freeparty #abandonedspaces #documentaryphotography #35mm #allanalog #socialdocumentary #naturallightphotography #themorningafter #undergroundrave #filmisnotdead #filmphotography #ravearchive #counterculture #youthculture #mollymacindoephotography (at Sant Adrià de Besòs)

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'A bloody good rave!` -@georgia_quality_kent #stilllookinggood #themorningafter #halloween #chique . . . . . . #freeparty #ukrave #abandonedspaces #halloweenfashion #portrait #reportagespotlight #documentaryphotography #35mm #allanalog #socialdocumentary #naturallightphotography #undergroundrave #filmisnotdead #filmphotography #ravearchive #counterculture #mollymacindoephotography (at Rassau Ind Ist)

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Perfect end to a perfect party. Blue buys a copy of #outoforderphotobook 'The Life and Times of a Hardcore Oldskool Legend Keef Storm' . . . . . #freeparty #ukrave #abandonedspaces #oldskool #ravecrew #documentaryphotography #35mm #allanalog #socialdocumentary #naturallightphotography #undergroundrave #filmisnotdead # #photobookjousting #counterculture #mollymacindoephotography (at Canning Town)

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Presenting 'Documenting the Rave Road from Putney to Persia' as part of @NastyGal 's #bosstalk speaker series at their pop-up shop & gallery on @carnabylondon. Join me & @youthclubsocial discussing 20 years of photographing the underground rave scene. Tuesday 21st Nov 6:30pm contact @NastyGal for guest list. . . . . . . #facingmyfears #publicpresentation #documentingtheraveroad #documentaryphotography #alwaysanalog #filmisnotdead #raveinlebanon #photoexpo #raveculture #ravescene #youthculture #subcultures #freeparties #teknival #abandonedspaces #participantperspective #londonarchitecture #vanishinglondon #ravearchive #undergroundraves #raveinjordan #changinglandscapes #historyoflondon #outoforderphotobook #carnabyst #mollymacindoephotography (at Baïssoûr, Mont-Liban, Lebanon)

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#randomphotooftheday #streetart #londonnooksandcrannies . . . . #mollymacindoephotography (at Fountayne Road)

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@samwisegammy #stayingalive at the Southwest Apocalypse Ball #halloweenrave . . . . . #undergroundraves #freeparty #filmisnotdead #allanalog #abandonedspaces #ukrave #naturallightphotography #mollymacindoephotography (at Rassau Ind Ist)