Yesterday was my first experience photographing with a press pass at Lollapalooza. I’m one of several photographers working for Time Out Chicago, and we have been given schedules of bands to shoot throughout the day.
Friday, I had six bands on my roster. Three of the band photos were edited and uploaded by staff at Time Out. You can check out Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs and The Growlers. More of the work I did will post this morning, I’m sure.
I would have edited the images more, but our team is trying to upload pictures the day of for every band playing. And I can see how we need to just get the work out.
Time Out also published a tons of my crowd photos, which you can see here. I can say that the direct sunlight was a bitch to work with.
My thoughts on day one were these:
- I brought too much shit. Today, I’m walking around with my two cameras and leaving a bag with our tent. It’s too hot, and too difficult to tote everything around.
- I was right: I was pretty bored with some of the bands I shot. One of the bands, I left after two songs, because they were so boring, I almost passed out.
- This year is the most people I’ve ever seen at the festival. When I left M83 at around 7:45, the sea of people was endless. I could hear Sabbath playing from as far away as Wabash.
- The dance stage, aka Perry’s, is probably the most popular stage. When photographing there, the bass is so intense that my entire body shakes. It’s almost impossible to keep the camera steady when it hits hard
- There are groups of Jack Wagons who are roaming the outside of the gates, doing their best to try and storm them and get in by force. It was really irritating waiting for about a hundred of them to be dispersed so I could leave out of a staff exit/entrance.
- I’m hoping to race over to the other stage area to check it out during my downtime today.
- The stages are so damn high that it’s hard to shoot the drummers. I’m worried about shooting Chili Peppers tonight, because that stage is the highest, and their stage includes video camera guys. So between the Lolla staff and their staff, I bet it’s going to be tough getting good eyelines.
- You’d never know that marijuana is illegal in this country if your first experience were a music festival.
Today I have four bands to shoot. Here they are with examples of their work.
Salva, 1 p.m. (Perry’s Stage)
Salva is a 30-something producer who is playing the DJ stage. I’m guessing I’m going to see the same group of kids in the front row today as I did yesterday. Those kids camped out there all day yesterday, and I was surprised to see them every time I went back.
Neon Indian, 3 p.m. (Sony)
Neon Indian is another DJ type guy, but he’s not at Perry’s. It’s a guy named Alan Palomo. I’m interested, but somewhat apathetic about him, too. Oh well.
B.o.B., 4:30 (Perry’s)
B.o.B. is probably one of the most popular acts I’ll shoot except for my headliner today. I’m guessing that he’s going to pack the heck out of Perry’s stage area.
Red Hot Chili Peppers, 8 p.m. (Red Bull Soundstage)
I had the opportunity to shoot these guys at Allstate Arena a few months ago. I’m excited to shoot them again, as I feel I’ll know what to look for and anticipate it. The good thing about today is, I have a ticket. So I can actually watch a little of the show before I have to jet home and edit my photos.
I can’t wait to try and stop Flea’s head from banging again. He’s so fast. It’s nuts how fast I needed to get my shutter last time.
Here’s a tune or two to enjoy.
