Tag: Concert Photography

The Men | First City Festival | 8/24/14 [PHOTOS]

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

THE ACT: The Men | Website | Record Label

INSTAGRAM VIDEOS: CLICK HERE

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS: Though I wasn’t able to stick around for their entire set, I was able to get a sense of what The Men were all about. Mixing elements of punk, psychadelic and classic rock into their music, the brief glimpse of them that I got made me think of a laid back The Stooges or Lou Reed. Now, take my impression with a grain of salt … I was only there for about 15-20 minutes. I really wish I could have stuck around to truly absorb their entire set … but thank god for the Internet. I’ll be logging on soon enough.

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Midi Matilda | First City Festival | 8/24/14 [PHOTOS]

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

THE ACT: Midi Matilda | Facebook | Twitter

INSTAGRAM VIDEOS: CLICK HERE

SOUNDS LIKE: 

THOUGHTS: Kicking the music off on the second day of the festival was a San Francisco based band named Midi Matilda. I went to check out their set music unheard, and I left a fan.  This duo, consisting of Skyler Kilborn and Logan Grimé play an infectious, indie, electro-pop music that really had me enjoying the fact that I got to the festival grounds early. I had a brief moment to catch up with both of the guys, separately, as they were hanging out on the fairgrounds after their set (even caught a cool candid of Logan hanging with Sam Herring of Future Islands), and each were modest and well natured demonstrating to me their music really matched their personalities. I plan on keeping up with their music to see where it takes them. Good stuff. Really, good stuff.

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Beck | First City Festival | 8/23/14 [PHOTOS]

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

THE ACT: Beck | Facebook | Website

INSTAGRAM VIDEOS: CLICK HERE

SOUNDS LIKE:  …. you know what Beck sounds like.

setlist-image-v1

THOUGHTS: Beck performed at Coachella this year, but only “approved” photographers were allowed in his photo pit. I wasn’t one of those approved photographers. I was pretty bummed about it, because I’m a big fan of Beck. My favorite Beck song? Earthquake Weather off of “Guero”. When I found out he was closing the first night of First City Festival, I kept my fingers crossed that there weren’t going to be the photographer restrictions like there were for Coachella. Thankfully, there weren’t! The only caveat was that we were only allowed to shoot for the first two songs. I was already getting nervous. A three song limit … at least for me … it tough enough. Two songs? The pressure mounts. What if one of those songs was “Motherfucker” (a two minute song)?!?!? Oi, my mind and nerves actually got a little rattled with the thought. Right before we were led into the photo pit, the production manager informed us that Beck had changed his rules to allow us to shoot for three songs. A reprieve! When the music started, I noticed that the lights were dim and red. Oi. Though we had the three songs, light was an issue. I don’t think I’ve ever edited so many photos, and converted so many photos to black and white, than for this set. I posted a lot of photos in this album, but only 3 or 4 of them are actually really usable. After we were led out of the photo pit, I joined my friends to enjoy the rest of Beck’s set, and it was glorious. With a catalog like Beck’s, it wasn’t surprising that his performance was like a greatest hits concert. People were singing along, dancing around, and just having a hell of a time. In the fairgrounds stadium, it really felt like a party, and the party was enjoyed by all.

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The Stepkids | First City Festival | 8/23/14 [PHOTOS]

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

THE ACT: The Stepkids | Facebook | Twitter

INSTAGRAM VIDEOS: CLICK HERE

SOUNDS LIKE:

THOUGHTS: I got to their set a little late because I wanted to watch as much of Phantogram’s set as I could, but the 20 or so minutes that I got to The Stepkids live was exactly what I was expecting. Funky, Steely Dan-ish, psychedelic soul. Oi. I seriously loved their groove. The way this trio blends elements of jazz, funk and soul is right up my alley. Jeff (guitar) and Dan (bass) were a joy to watch, playing riffs off of each other, and even synchronizing certain moves during songs. When each had a moment to solo, their respective play was a joy to watch, and listen. I wasn’t able to get any decent shots of their drummer, but I’m hoping the next time they are in Los Angeles, I’ll get approved for a photo pass so I can remedy that problem. I’m keeping my ears to the internet for more tour dates, and if you like their vibe, you should too.

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Phantogram | First City Festival | 8/23/14 [PHOTOS]

Continue reading →

by Categories: Concerts, Pictorials | VideosTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

OK Go | Twilight Concert Series | Santa Monica Pier | 9/4/14 [PHOTOS]

CLICK HERE to check out other acts performing a Twilight Concert at the Santa Monica Pier!

I’ve always been a fan of OK Go. Their cheery, campy music (and music videos) have always been put me in a good mood. With their next album, “Hungry Ghosts”, due out this October, they have been making the rounds touring the United States throughout the Sumer  and will continue touring through October. I’m certainly glad they decided to perform for the Twilight Concert Series.

.

It was my first time watching them perform live, and though there’d be no blasts of confetti and streamers into the audience for the show (they would have been fined by the city of Santa Monica for pier clean-up), I learned one thing. OK Go’s live show is, capital “F”, Fun.

.

With their music leading the Fun movement, they fully interacted with the audience, telling stories (like how they came up with the band’s name), doing an impromptu number from the musical “Les Miserables”, recording audience sounds to incorporate into a song they were going to perform and even venturing into the audience to perform. So … friggin … fun.

.

I really hope that their next album performs well. Shunning the big, corporate machine that is the major record labels, they decided to record the album on their own. I’ve only heard the singles they’ve released and the songs that they performed at the pier, but I’m thinking … as long as they keep winning fans over with their live performance, they’ll be just fine.

.

I couldn’t find a setlist of OK Go’s performance, but you can check out video clips of most of the band’s set by CLICKING HERE to check out a collection of Instagram videos that have been compiled.

CLICK HERE to check out other acts performing a Twilight Concert at the Santa Monica Pier!

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Allah-Las| Twilight Concert Series | Santa Monica Pier | 9/4/14 [PHOTOS]

CLICK HERE to check out other acts performing a Twilight Concert at the Santa Monica Pier!

I caught the Allah-Las live a few weeks ago when they took the stage at Echo Park Rising but I wasn’t able to watch their entire set as I had to run to another venue to photograph another band playing. Though I only caught half of their set at Echo Park Rising, I knew that I’d get my chance to watch an entire set when they opened up for OK Go at the Santa Monica Pier.

.

Love this band’s laid-back vibe. You can get a sense of their sound by CLICKING HERE to check out a collection of Instagram videos of some of the songs Allah-Las performed at this concert.

.

I was quite pleased with the photos I snapped for this gig. My shots from Echo Park Rising were a bit purple saturated with the dark stage lighting (which definitely added to the band’s overall vibe, but didn’t help my cause to snap clear photos), but at the Santa Monica Pier they performed against the sun setting into the ocean, which made my shots better. I hope you enjoy them!

CLICK HERE to check out other acts performing a Twilight Concert at the Santa Monica Pier!

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Mr. Little Jeans | First City Festival | 8/23/14 [PHOTOS]

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

THE ACT: Mr. Little Jeans | Facebook | Twitter

INSTAGRAM VIDEOS: CLICK HERE

SOUNDS LIKE:

THOUGHTS:  Mr. Little Jeans is Monica Birkenes, and of all of the “new” acts I wanted to check out, she was at the top of my list. Having heard her music on KCRW, I immediately compared her sound to that of Lykke Li … and I like Lykke Li. Plus, she named herself after a bit role from Wes Anderson’s movie “Rushmore”, and I like that movie too. Her synth infused, dance-pop music attracted quite a crowd, and she had them eating out of her hands. Though she only one album under her belt, her emotive and upbeat stage presence left the impression on me that as long as she keeps creating music that her fans obviously love, she’ll carve out a nice little career for herself.

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Tokyo Police Club | First City Festival | 8/23/14 [PHOTOS]

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

THE ACT: Tokyo Police Club | Facebook | Twitter | Website

INSTAGRAM VIDEOS: CLICK HERE

SOUNDS LIKE:

THOUGHTS:  I’ve been meaning to check out Tokyo Police Club for the longest time. I’m not sure why I never did … until First City Festival. This indie rock band from Canada is high-energy and fun. Their catchy rock tunes are filled with pop melodies that are easy to remember and sing along with.

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

How To Dress Well | First City Festival | 8/23/14 [PHOTOS]

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

THE ACT: How To Dress Well | Facebook | Twitter

INSTAGRAM VIDEOS: CLICK HERE

SOUNDS LIKE:

THOUGHTS:  I’m a huge fan of Tom Krell’s (pka “How To Dress Well”) music. How big of a fan? I have all of his albums on vinyl, and his latest release, “What Is This Heart?”, currently sits comfortably as one of my albums of the year. I’ve written about him HERE and HERE so I won’t get into what I think about his music in this post. Just enjoy the pictures.

 

To Check Out Other Acts that I Caught At First City Festival, CLICK HERE.

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment