The last four years I’ve really had a great time shooting concerts around Portland. This year I had the chance to take photos more often at Portland’s big venue, the Rose Garden Arena, and of some of my favorite bucket list type bands. So, in calendar order, here are my favorite photos of the year. And you can always check out all my concert photos at www.FiveZeroThree.com. Here are my favorites from LAST YEAR (2011-Click Me)
James Mercer of the Shins – February 2012
I love this photo, and to start the year with this just made my day. He was just tuning and warming up and I was able to capture just him, no crowd. I love The Shins and James Mercer so this just melts my heart and is one of my favorites photos of the year. More photos here - http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/James-Mercer
Little Hurricane at Mississippi Studio – February 2012
I could really see Little Hurricane having a big second album, they are a fun band and have the early stage sound of The Black Keys, who’ll we see later. Plus they are some of the nicest people in music. More photos here: http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/Little-Hurricane-Session
Of Monsters and Men at Mississippi Studio – March 2012
Just like with Little Hurricane, Of Monsters and Men played a 94/7 session at Mississippi Studios. This is sometimes a very hard venue to shoot because of the tight quarters and low light. Of Monsters and Men was super fun to watch, they are from Iceland and it’s always fun to hear the international acts interact with the crowd. And just like every band from out of town, Of Monsters and Men were talking about getting VooDoo Doughnuts during their visit. More photos here: http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/OfMonstersAndMenSession/
Gotye at the Crystal Ballroom – April 2012
Gotye was the most hyped artist of 2012, hands down. He took over everything and it was well deserved; Somebody I Used to Know is a great song. He had a monster light show during his concert and even though I didn’t have a photo pass (we had some confusion), I was still able to get a good shot.
Rose Garden Arena – April 2012
And I thought this would have been the highlight of the year, COLDPLAY in Portland. This was an amazing show, they are just an excellent band who know how to play the big show. They blasted off the confetti early on and it was perfect. I was so glad I had set myself up in the right place and the right time. I <3 Coldplay! More photos here: http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/Coldplay-Portland/
The Black Keys at the Rose Garden Arena – May 2012
The Black Keys rock my socks off. I could listen to this band every second of the day. This was the second time I’ve had the chance to take photos of them and they went big at The Rose Garden, leaving behind their second home The Crystal Ballroom. I prefer them at the Crystal Ballroom, having only two people in the band makes the Rose Garden stage seem a little big. But this is just the beginning of them doing arena shows and time builds perfection. More photos here: http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/BlackKeysPortland2012
Bush at the Rose Garden Arena – June 2012
I’ve had a crush on Gavin Rossdale since the 90′s. His band Bush was HUGE during a very influential time in my musical growth. So, being able to take photos of them was very fulfilling. He sounded great, rocked like it was the 90′s, and made a grown man smile with his stage presence. More photos here: http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/Bush
Nickelback at the Rose Garden Arena – June 2012
It was odd to have Bush open for Nickelback but it worked, they rocked like they know how to do it. Yes, they are made fun of a lot but they are a gigantic band, the Rose Garden was going crazy and it was understandable. Being stuck by the soundboard to take photos sucks, but I ended up being happy it was this way because of the awesome pyrotechnics. More photos here: http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/Nickelback
Passion Pit for MusicFest NW at the Crystal Ballroom – September 2012
Good old MusicFest NW, they bring in so many bands and big ones to boot. The only problem with MFNW is they allow everyone who writes a blog or wants to write a blog about music to get a photo pass. This leaves zero room to take photos but just plant your ass and wait for the action to come to you.
Girl Talk for Musicfest NW at Pioneer Courthouse Square – September 2012
I’ve been wanting to see Girl Talk for a long time and that time was 2012. MusicFest NW does put on great shows at Pioneer Courthouse Square and the people pack the house. You don’t want to miss a GirlTalk show when he comes to town because it’s the most energetic show you could be a part of.
Leonard Cohen at the Rose Garden Arena – November 2012
Leonard Cohen was definitely the oldest person on my list this year, and maybe the biggest legend. You might think someone 78 years old couldn’t move around during a show, and he was slower than most, but he ended up covering the stage. He has the most legendary sound and he’s well worth a listen. More photos here: http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/Leonard-Cohen
Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Rose Garden Arena – November 2012
They don’t get much bigger than the Red Hot Chili Peppers, enough said!
More photos here: http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/RCHP2012
Metric for 94/7 fm December to Remember – December 2012
Metric is one of my favorite bands to see live and easily my favorite to photograph. Plus, Emily Haines of Metric is fantastic! More photos here: http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/Metric-D2R2012/
The Killers for 94/7 fm December to Remember – December 2012
The Killers are a huge band, and are extremely hard to get a photo pass for. Thank you radio station connections because this wouldn’t of happened if I didn’t have them. Plus, it ended up being a great time because this is one of my most epic photos I’ve taken. More photos here: http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/D2R-Killers-2012/
Joy Formidable for 94/7 fm December to Remember – December 2012
It doesn’t happen that often but I love how the drummer is out front with the band instead of just seeing the back. The Joy Formidable rocks the F out and are a lot of fun to photograph. More photos here: http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/Dec2RemGrouplove
Atlas Genius for 94/7 fm December to Remember – December 2012
END OF STORY! Can’t end the year any better than with this from Atlas Genius!
More photos here: http://www.fivezerothree.com/Music/Concerts/D2R-AtlasGeniusSheppard/
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