Gig-going York artist draws 'crazy crowds'from mosh pit

Most people can't even hold a drink when they're among the crowd at the front of a gig - but for Yorkshire artist Sam Joesbury, being thrown around in the mosh pit is where he creates his best work.

The 22-year-old, from York, started drawing at concerts last year, and what started as a hobby has led to him sketching at several gigs a week, sharing his work on social media and gaining thousands of fans online.

"It was all a bit of a joke and a laugh until I realised, no one else is doing this and it is actually really fun," he said.

"Some of the favourite bands I've drawn live include Basht, who I am on tour with now, but also Turnstile live at the Piece Hall, Fontaines D.C. at Leeds Festival and Kneecap, who were just crazy."

He added: "I really love getting involved with some of the most crazy crowds. It really brings out the fact that this is about getting involved, getting my hands dirty and getting into the most lively atmosphere that I possibly can."

Sam, who has a degree in Fine Art from Lancaster University, said he started sketching the crowds in his notebook before the concerts began - but soon realised the real magic was in capturing the energy of the night.

He said: "After the first few drawings that were done beforehand, I got caught out by one of the bands and I decided it's probably time to do it for real.

"It was a question of, is this even good, is it worth it, am I stressing myself out by trying to make the drawing look good?

"Then I realised this is about having fun, and when I stopped worrying I started focussing on having the drawing replicate the experience that I was having.

"That's when I started going a bit bonkers and getting [into] mosh pits and rowdy crowds.

"That's when the drawings came to life and became a document of the experience rather than just a drawing of a band on an occasion."

His first drawing was at a Drake concert, but he has since drawn the Kaiser Chiefs, A$AP Rocky, The K's and Keo.

The artist, who has more than 20,000 followers on Instagram, said he started drawing because he had been working on hyperrealism for years.

The genre includes drawings which are lifelike and high resolution, almost like a photograph.

He also loves drawing at gigs to shine a light on new music and grassroots venues - and while he loves hard rock, metal and rap, he credits his sister Grace with the indie music knowledge that helps him find new crowds to draw.

"I am not just thinking about what is going to do well for me, I love shedding light on the bands, but my sister is all about shedding light onto every band," he said.

"My sister Grace, you will find her at any small gig, her indie knowledge is off the chart."

Grace, a student at university in Leeds, is often the one filming Sam as he works.

"There is not much representation for these smaller indie bands," he said.

"All they have to do is give me the opportunity to come and draw them, and it is a bit of promo and a bit of fun for me.

"It is impossible to do an accurate drawing in a mosh pit so people say why bother doing it?

"Well it's not about it looking how it is meant to look, it is about doing something unique and capturing the energy and atmosphere and providing something for the fans, and for the band, as a memento for that specific occasion.

"It is capturing that unique venue, with that specific crowd and that specific set list, where there is a different energy and it is different every time."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds , catch up with the latest episode of Look North .

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