October was full of delectable concerts. It started with Loney Dear on the 3rd and to change the gear, two days later, I found myself enjoying The Horrors much more than anticipated. It was ever so dark, I had accept the blurs and what nots.
Then I took a break for 10 days and on the 15th, struggled to find light at Why? Concert which did not disappoint either. There was no photo pit this time and young and the restless were luke warm to letting me get some close shots. It is one of my least favorite photos from a concert.
As if the last two concerts did not pose enough challenge for my f4 lens, On the 18th, A Place to Bury Strangers opened the show with one black light and fog. They allowed more light as the show went on but the fog also increased with it. They warned that one should bring earplugs. I brought mine but decided it was more exhilarating to experience their music without them. I used old crappy 1.4 prime lens - it was my only hope of registering any light. The effect came out more impressionistic and I rather liked its deviancy.
On the following day, I went to shoot someone I'd never thought I'd be doing: Moby. He is on the same record label as A Place to Bury Strangers and they asked if we can cover him as well. Moby played at the corporate Crystal Ballroom with their first 3 song photo rule. For his opening song, the lighting was ugly pink and green with a stream of cookie cut outs. Likely it improved for the next 2 songs and then I was left to my 105 mm lens from a distance.
The final concert of the month on 23rd: Noah and the Whale. These photos may be one of my most successful from Doug Fir - I have a love and hate relationship with that place. I was less engaged with their performance though for the reviewer, it was a nice surprise.