Category: Concert Photography

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Concert Photography

Dillon Francis @ Shrine LA

EDM staple Dillon Francis went on an electrifying run of LA shows from The Roxy to The Mayan Theatre before capping it off at Shrine LA to a packed house of electronic music lovers. Drawing inspiration from the infamous Nicole Kidman AMC commercial, Dillon Francis continued his comedy-infused electronic music brand by coming up with his own version to open the set, much to the delight of his audience (and really hitting home for those who really got the joke).

With a stacked roster of DJs playing from 8pm until the venue closed, the energy was building. The last headlining DJ of the night, Nitti (Formerly ‘Nitti Gritti’) built the crowd for Dillon Francis’ set, with intermittent moments of gratitude towards the audience and the city of LA. Many of his most known hits were in full effect, such as “Your Body” and “What You Got” sending shockwaves into the bouncing crowd.

Dillon’s closing set could only be described as a nonstop dance party filled with lots of lasers and EDM bangers. He dove into some of his classics like “Get Low” and “Move It”, while also treating the crowd to his newer tracks “LA On Acid”, “Can’t Stop Me Now”, and many other mixes from his 2023 release This Mixtape is Fire TOO. Fans also heard a few songs from anti everything, another album  released this year in collaboration with DJ Hanzel, who was also featured as an opener for the night.

There was no shortage of good vibes at Shrine LA, and fans went home happy after dancing and vibing all night to Dillon Francis’ head pounding mixes. Check out the images below, taken by Kenny Jusino.

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Concert Photography Reviews

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness at the House of Blues in Cleveland

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness performed a truly unique concert experience at the House of Blues in Cleveland Ohio on Saturday December 2nd for his New Friends tour. Andrew McMahon, formerly of the band Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin, began releasing music under Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness back in 2014 and has continued releasing incredible music.

McMahon delivered a phenomenal high-energy show from start to finish. This dynamic set had multiple guests onstage, frequent visits to the crowd, and even featured a fan onstage for the song “Highdive.” The show was complete with stunning camping visuals, a kooky park ranger, shadow puppets, marshmallows, and last but not least – a crowdsurfing llama. A major highlight of the show was when McMahon invited members from Wildermiss and Michigander onstage for a performance of “New Friends” all while tossing marshmallows to the crowd. If Andrew McMahon and his llama are set to crowdsurf through your town, don’t miss out. Check out the gallery below for photos from the show.

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Concert Photography

Baroness at the Agora

On Friday November 24th Baroness rocked the Agora Theater and Ballroom in Cleveland Ohio. Heavy metal band Baroness have been out on their Sweet Oblivion tour following the recent release of their sixth studio album Stone. Take a look at the gallery below to view photos from the show.

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Concert Photography

Madeon at The Shrine LA

There are two types of lives you can live–the life you live before you have seen Madeon live, and the one you live after. Less of a concert and more of a spiritual encounter, Madeon rocked The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Friday November 18th for the last of his Good Faith Forever era, the culmination of 5 years of his work and vision.

Hugo Pierre Leclercq, better known by his artist name Madeon, has been in the spotlight for over a decade, emerging as a new artist after releasing his popular “Pop Culture” mashup on YouTube in 2011 when he was only 17 years old, earning six million views in just a few days. In this viral phenomenon, several of his musical influences were mixed together in a way that was never quite seen before, but quickly drew comparisons to the likes of Daft Punk, Justice, and other French House icons. Madeon capitalized off of this fame and released his first EP The City in 2012, followed by his debut album Adventure in 2015, leading us to his most recent album Good Faith in 2018.

With this, Madeon created a unique live experience for his fans, coined as The Good Faith Forever tour. Combining emphatic live music with striking visuals and vibrant colors projected onto a full-size LED screen, the experience is unlike any other. The halls of the Shrine Auditorium buzzed with excitement as loyal fans awaited the legendary French Electropop artist.

Leading the night was BAYNK (full name Jock Nowell-Usticke), a New Zealand-born electronic artist. His atmospheric blend of tropical house and future bass tracks allowed for his airy vocals to delight the crowd, rising up on popular tracks “Water” and “go with u.”

Madeon commanded the stage immediately with “All My Friends”, with the infectious bass line and crunchy synth leads, there was not a single attendee sitting down by the first song. With a setlist that many have come to know over the past couple of years, a few surprises were thrown in the mix alongside the expected heavy hitters such as “No Fear No More,” “Icarus,” “You’re On,” and “Be Fine.” Certain songs were electrified with bonus mixes and overtures featured in “The Prince/Hyper Prince” and “Technicolor/Innocence,” adding more juice to an already high-octane display. Fans were even treated to “Shelter,” a popular song in collaboration with fellow DJ Porter Robinson, who unfortunately did not grace the stage for a guest appearance for the song (although it would have been awesome.)

I was reminded just how special a Madeon show is after experiencing this final Good Faith Forever show. I’ve been following his work for over a decade now, and I am insanely proud of his progression as an artist and cannot wait to see what’s in store for the new phase of Madeon. If after reading this you’re curious about checking out a Madeon show, you may have to wait a bit to see him on stage again, but I can promise you it will be well worth the wait.

See the gallery below for photos of both Baynk and Madeon.

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Concert Photography

Tool at TD Garden

Transcending the boundaries of conventional rock, Tool’s concert was an otherworldly journey that left the audience spellbound. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the band took the stage, shrouded in an enigmatic aura that mirrored their intricate, progressive soundscapes. From the pulsating rhythms of drummer Danny Carey to the ethereal vocals of Maynard James Keenan, each member of Tool showcased virtuosity, creating a sonic tapestry that defied easy categorization.

Early on, Kennan reiterated the edict posted on the walls and seats of the TD Garden: No phones. And certainly no video/photo. Keenan said that the band was there to present an experience and one couldn’t enjoy it with their phone out. Jarring for sure, given how much we need our phones these days, but the majority of the audience respected the request (the predator-like focus of the security roaming the aisles certainly encouraged compliance.)

The weird thing was, that the show was better without the phones. The mesmerizing visuals, including intricate light displays and mind-bending projections, complemented the sonic assault, plunging the audience into a surreal experience. Without the phones, the performance and the visuals were even more poignant and outstanding. People were not focused on whether or not the video was quality enough for the socials. Rather, the epicness of the lights, lasers, and trippy visuals created a perfect complement to the band’s music.

The setlist, a meticulous blend of classics and newer tracks, kept the energy high, leaving the crowd in a state of collective euphoria. Tool’s concert wasn’t just a performance; it was a sonic odyssey that pushed the boundaries of what rock can be, solidifying their status as pioneers in the genre. Always an amazing show.

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Concert Photography Reviews

Shakey Graves at Roadrunner Boston

Shakey Graves’ live performance at Roadrunner in Boston was nothing short of a sonic revelation, an electrifying journey through the soulful intersection of folk, blues, and rock. The venue pulsed with energy as Shakey Graves. His raw, gravelly vocals soared through the air, weaving tales of heartbreak, resilience, and wanderlust. Backed by a phenomenal band, the performance was at once an intimate affair with a genuine rock vibe.

Shakey Graves was poignant and sincere while playing but in between songs he joked and related to the crowd. He alerted the venue that there was a theme for the night and then midset asked if the crowd had guessed the theme. People tossed out guesses, but the game ended when someone from the audience yelled out, “David Lee Roth.” Shakey Graves laughed and agreed leaving us to wonder whether or not that was the actual theme. All this to say, he has a dynamic stage presence and genuine charisma showcasing himself as a captivating storyteller, effortlessly inviting the crowd into his musical world.

The concert was a masterclass in genre-blurring brilliance, leaving an indelible mark on all fortunate enough to witness this spellbinding performance.

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Concert Photography Reviews

Coco Jones performs at The Underground in Charlotte

Coco Jones not only knows how to put on an amazing performance on-screen, but also dazzled her audience at her sold out show at the Underground in Charlotte, North Carolina on the second leg of her first headlining tour named What I Didn’t Tell You. 

Jones’ supporting act Haben gave a heavenly and melodious performance and the audience a glimpse into her new music, and then Ebony Riley gave a soulful and upbeat performance and was not afraid of sharing with the audience of her life experiences. Riley had also made inspiring and thoughtful dedication to her foster parents, who were present during her performance, through her song “Save Me.”

As Jones took the stage, the audience, who were with her through her Disney days and/or new music career, were ecstatic to see her perform. Talent and beauty radiated the stage as Jones performed music from her album What I Didn’t Tell You, such as “ICU,” “Double Back,” and “Caliber.”  At one point of the show, despite what seemed to be slight technical difficulty on stage, Jones continued the show by singing a capella to the audience, including some of her earlier music such as “Holla at the DJ.” 

Overall, the show was everything I personally expected it to be: to see such talented artists grow through their music as they continue to navigate their way through their careers. For Haben and Ebony Riley to give such beautiful and vulnerable and soulful performances was inspiring as they continue to express their experiences through song. For Coco Jones, it was nostalgic, yet amazing to see her grow from a teenager on Disney Channel to a young woman touring on her first headlining show. 

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Concert Photography

Old Dominion, Kylie Morgan, & Chase Rice

Old Dominion took their No Bad Vibes Tour to Los Angeles on October 27th along with Kylie Morgan and Chase Rice. Take a look through the gallery below for photos from the show!

Photographed by Ryan Young.

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Concert Photography Reviews

Suki Waterhouse in Charlotte

Suki Waterhouse, with her talented openers, Danielle Durack and Carol Ades, performed at The Amp Ballantyne in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 6th. All three of the singers put on an unforgettable set showcasing their individual talent.

First Danielle Durack took the stage with her acoustic guitar. With her beautiful voice she connected with the audience winning the hearts of the crowd. Next, it was Carol Ades, who with her playful energy and emotional music, made for a fun and yet heartfelt set.

Then it was time for Suki Waterhouse to grace the crowd with her presence as she headlined the show. She came out in a sparkly jumpsuit and it felt as if she was glistening among the stars in the sky that night. Her performance was full of passion as she danced around on stage, flipping her hair, singing, putting on a fantastic show. It was a magical night full of empowering female artists. It was evident that all three of the performers really love what they do and enjoy perfecting their craft. The audience left the show on a high after attending a concert that was worthy of being remembered.

Photos and article by Sarah Sturgis.

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Concert Photography

The Aces and Modern Moxie Rock Out at The Underground

As fans waited for The Aces to perform, Modern Moxie took the stage, where they played and rocked out to songs from their album “Claw Your Way Out” and their recent EP “Gutter Honey.” After their set, the members of the band gathered at the merch table where fans could not only meet the friendly members that make up Modern Moxie, but also purchase copies of “Gutter Honey,” and could get t-shirts, stickers and pickles. 

The members of The Aces appeared on stage as they performed their songs such as “Daydream,” “Always Get This Way” and “Girls Make Me Wanna Die.” As the members of the band danced on stage to their songs, the audience began to dance along with them. At one point of the show, lead singer of the band, Cristal Ramirez, shared with the audience on how they came from Utah and since starting their careers and while on their journeys of self-discovery, never imagined playing venues in cities such as Charlotte. 

To an ordinary person, one might see this concert as another performance at one of the venues in Charlotte, but to The Aces and to their fans, it was a performance that gave them hope and created such an energetic and accepting environment. Check out the photos below, by Bethany Ivan.