October 2019. That was the last time I photographed a live concert. So, I was very curious (maybe a little anxious, too) how successful I’d be going into photographing Sleigh Bells, N3PTUNE (with Rusty Steve), and EU1OGY this past Saturday, August 27th, at Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia. It was a venue I had never been to before, and I was shooting the show with a camera that, while I had plenty of experience with, had never used in low light environments — and it’s not a camera particularly known for performing well without adequate lighting. I won’t wax on past that, but, suffice to say, I was really, really stoked with what I came out of the show with. You can see the selects from all three sets below.
EU1OGY
Full disclosure: this is a friend of mine. We just got connected this year, but we’ve become good friends through our love of music, art, culture, etc. So I was honored when he invited me to join him for his opening set at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, August 23rd, and then again in Philly. EU1OGY is an experience…a focused blast of punk, metal, noise, hip-hop, raw emotion, angst, happiness, joy. There is something for everyone in his set, and he made it a point in-between songs to show love and voice the power of coming together. Having seen him (for the 1st time) in DC and then again this night in Philly, I can attest to the fact that he is great at winning over crowds — even when there are technical difficulties. So, it’s not hard to believe me when I say he plays every set like it might be his last. Hopefully, I did my friend justice with the frames you’ll see below.
N3PTUNE (with Rusty Steve)
Hailing from Denver, CO, you would be hard-pressed to find a newer act as genuinely exciting as this one. They might be newer to the scene, but I can promise you they sound like they have BEEN THROUGH SOME STUFF. I said it before on Instagram, but Prince came to mind seeing them live with how heavy, soulful, and captivating the whole thing was — especially since it was just N3PTUNE and Rusty Steve and no crazy stage set or anything! I can’t wait to see them live again.
SLEIGH BELLS
I had never seen Sleigh Bells live despite being quite familiar with them since they came out over a decade ago. Luckily, this particular week I was fortunate enough to see them in DC and here at the “Texis” tour closer in Philly. If you want to be reminded why it’s worth celebrating just being alive — no matter how bad things seem — see Sleigh Bells live. You will NOT be disappointed. The addition of Kate Steinberg on keys and backup vocals as well as Jharis Yokley on drums made songs I’ve come to love sound even better — and more massive — live. Hearing Sleigh Bells on record, you might think they’re a studio band, but, I can assure you, they are very much a live band when you see them like this. Can’t wait to see them live again, as well. Congrats on the “Texis” tour!
