I'm James Hughes, founder and creative lead of Grizzly Sounds (also known as Grizzly Media Productions). We specialise in:
Our mission is to help artists, bands and venues capture their performances with cinematic quality, impactful storytelling and visual flair.
Grizzly Media operates across the UK, and our portfolio includes gigs, festivals, studio sessions and music promo shoots. We help musicians not only perform, but also be seen and remembered through powerful video content.
As a musician and filmmaker myself, I often saw great performances go under-recorded, with shaky phones, poor lighting or lost opportunity. I wanted to bridge that gap, provide videography that matches the energy of a show, respects musical nuance, and amplifies reach. Grizzly Sounds exists to preserve live moments, turn them into shareable assets, and elevate artists' visual presence.
Core services:
We approach every project with detailed preparation, starting by scouting venues and assessing lighting, microphone, and camera layouts before each show. During performances, we capture a mix of dynamic movement, audience energy, and focused band shots to convey the full atmosphere of the event. Afterward, we deliver polished video assets optimised for promotion, social media, YouTube, and press kits. We also work closely with event promoters, venues, and festivals to create visuals that elevate the live experience through projection mapping, on-stage screens, backdrops, and video walls.
Quality in lighting and audio at source matters, as no amount of editing can fully fix bad capture. Planning camera placement in advance is essential, since surprises in a live setting cost missed shots. Being prepared with backup equipment is crucial, as a camera or battery failure in the moment can ruin footage. Collaborating closely with musicians helps anticipate shots, particularly by knowing their set-list, pacing, and cues. Finally, it's important to respect the venue by being stage-aware, communicating with sound and lighting engineers, and ensuring minimal disruption.
What I'd Build and Invest In Earlier
If I were starting over, I would build a library of "best clip reels" and behind-the-scenes videos earlier to show clients what's possible. I'd also standardise gear kits and checklists earlier, and invest in remote monitoring tools so I can observe camera feeds more reliably during shoots. Finally, I'd reach out to more venue partners early to secure referral relationships.
I plan to expand our content subscription model for artists by offering monthly video packages that include teaser clips, concert edits, and behind-the-scenes modules. I also aim to partner more closely with venues and festivals to deliver in-house video packages and explore immersive formats such as 360° video and VR concert recaps. Alongside this, I’ll produce more educational content, including tips, gear breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes insights to strengthen our presence within the music community. If you’re a musician, promoter, or venue looking to bring your performance to life beyond the stage, I’d love to collaborate.
Grizzly Media Productions specialises in a range of video services for musicians and venues. This includes live music and gig videography, promotional performance videos, concert visuals, and full music event coverage. They handle everything from multi-camera setups to post-production, delivering polished assets for social media, YouTube, and press kits.
The founder, James Hughes, is a musician as well as a filmmaker. This background provides a unique sensitivity to rhythm, emotion, and musical dynamics during filming. The focus is not just on documenting a performance but on telling a visual story with cinematic quality that matches the energy of your show.
No, while live gig videography is a core service, they also create promo music videos, in-studio performance visuals, and other creative content. They can combine live shots with B-roll and artistic direction to build a compelling narrative for your music.
Preparation is key. The team scouts venues beforehand to assess lighting and plan camera placements. They collaborate with you on your set-list to anticipate key moments and work closely with the venue's sound and lighting engineers to ensure a smooth, professional capture with minimal disruption.
Finding the right creative partners is essential for any artist. Using a curated directory like the one on Fearless can help you connect with vetted professionals who understand the creative industry and can help bring your vision to life.
