BRMC
The Observatory
August 5, 2014

So apparently bands these days like to play in the dark. And I guess that's OK if they are as good as BRMC was this evening. I've seen them at least 6 times over the years, going way back to when they played in very small clubs and I have to say this night was the best show I've ever seen them perform. It was a 2 hour love fest between the band and their sold out audience, and I gotta say it  really felt like a band coming into their own. I can't wait to see what they do next because you just know BRMC is always going to do something different and interesting. And whatever they do decide to do next, I'll be looking forward it.  As far as shooting this show, it was REALLY dark but you know like I said I guess bands these days just like it that way. As a fan (and photographer) I hope this trend changes soon. People want to SEE the band play, that's why they bought a ticket in the first place. And after the show  the fact that the stage was ridiculously dark was the only complaint I heard from several people leaving the venue.  These photos were taken with the ISO boosted WIDE OPEN to achieve some light getting into the camera. In reality it was like the band was playing in a  darkened room.  .

TESLA
The Grove Of Anaheim
August 1, 2 014
These guys are so good live and they played at my favorite venue to shoot so what could go wrong? Well they went on 30 minutes early so I nearly missed my chance to shoot them in the pit. But it all worked out OK in the end and I got some great shots of a high energy rock n roll band.  Even if I did miss half a song. Note to self ALWAYS get there early!

Echo & The Bunnymen
The Observatory
July 30, 2014

The Bunnymen featuring original members Ian McCulloch & Will Sergent played to an adoring sold out crowd this evening. The band was promoting a new album Meteorites, and were in especially fine spirits. I've been a fan for a long time but this was my first chance to photograph them. As per usual the Bunnymen like it DARK on stage. I swear to you there was not a single spot light used all night. The lighting was all back lighting and just to make it a little more challenging they used lots of smoke on stage to complete the spooky environment where this fine band likes to live.  So I just opened up my ISO settings and tried to let as much light as possible into my camera. Sometimes when you're doing concert photography you just have to roll with the hand you're dealt  and try to capture the ambiance the band has created on stage That is what I tried to do with this set of photos from The Bunnymen and as luck would have it I'm pretty happy with the results.