Live Baby Live

June 14 2008 @ Bonnaroo - Manchester, TN

I never thought I’d have the opportunity to see/photograph the legendary blues man B.B. King, so when I found out he was playing Bonnaroo this year, I was ecstatic. King’s arrival on stage was greeted with thunderous applause from the crowd and a committee of Manchester officials there to present him with the key to the city. After a few minutes of acknowledging and throwing guitar picks to the crowd, King took a seat and began to play. His 82 years may be evident in his ailing health, but you’d never know it by the way he plays and his jovial sense of humour. The passion he still has is awe-inspiring…and that’s why he’s one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time.

Photo gallery to come.

July 29, 2007 @ Historic Fort York - Toronto, ON

After seeing coverage of Tegan & Sara at Coachella over the past week, it reminded me that I have photos of them from last year’s Rogers Picnic that have never been posted. It’s likely because the photos are all sort of “same-ish”…they weren’t all that active on stage, and it doesn’t help that they’re twins. From what I recall, they played a pretty good set and had a ton of fans in the crowd (more than the other bands, it seemed), who were very easy to spot, since they all dress and cut their hair like the twins.

Tegan & Sara gallery here.

June 16, 2007 @ Bonnaroo - Manchester, TN

Without a doubt, one of my favourite bands to see and shoot over the past few years has been Gogol Bordello. The first time I ever caught them was a bit of an accident a few years back when I was having drinks upstairs at The Drake. I knew very little about the band, who were playing downstairs, but on my way back from the washroom, I popped my head in the door to check out the show, only to find Eugene Hutz atop his drum in the middle of the crowd. I then quickly ran upstairs to grab my friend and we crashed the show for the last few songs. It only took those few songs, but I was hooked.

Over the past year, I have seen and shot Gogol three times, and they’ve never disappointed. The show doesn’t change all that much, but somehow you don’t really care in the midst of all that energy. They seem to be playing the festival circuit all summer, so I don’t doubt that I’ll end up seeing them a few more times, which will end up being close to the record for seeing a band the most times in one year (U2 has it so far at 6).

Gogol Bordello gallery here.

July 26, 2007 @ Wakestock - Toronto, ON

For ages, I’d been trying to get out to a Fucked Up show at some little hole in the wall place, because I’d heard how insane their show was. Unfortunately, other shows always coincided and Wakestock was my first opportunity to check them out. Too bad they’re not really the kind of band you want to see in the middle of the day on a big stage with very few people in the crowd, rather they’re better suited for late night in-yer-face action, so I was feeling kind of robbed. That said, they were still quite entertaining and fun to watch, and singer Damian Abraham in particular didn’t disappoint, crushing full pop cans into his skull or pouring the pop down his pants.

As much fun as that was, I hope to be able to make it out to a smaller show soon. They’re playing Wrongbar in Toronto on May 13th, which is the same night as Feist, so hopefully they play late enough that I can work it out.

Fucked Up gallery here.

June 7, 2007 @ Silver Dollar Room - Toronto, ON

When I walked into the Silver Dollar really late the Thursday night of NxNE last year, I found myself almost stepping right on Cities in Dust singer, Zach Frank, who was writhing all over the floor, screaming into his microphone. Two seconds later he was screaming directly into my face, which I took as a warm welcome. Needless to say, Zach was an excellent subject for the camera, though I had to use my dreaded flash just to catch him.

I’d caught them once the previous summer during Scenefest in St. Catharines, but at the time they didn’t leave much of an impression on me. My next introduction happened when I was sent a copy of Night Creatures, and was immediately floored by the wicked album art, which now ranks as one of my all time favourites. Unfortunately, I somehow managed to bust the disc before ever playing it, so most of what I’ve heard from them has been live.

If you’re looking for some balls-to-the-wall energy, check them out in a small venue (with a low stage)…good stuff.

Cities in Dust gallery here.