4/29/2012 Peabody Opera House St. Louis, MO. – As rockers Van Halen had the volume turned to eleven next door at Scottrade Center, the soulful Florence Welch took fans on a stylistic musical journey, showing why she is one of the best voices, and performers of our generation. Photos after the jump. (more…)
4/29/2012 Scottrade Center St. Louis, MO. Live Nation presents – The long awaited, reunited appearance of Van Halen (David Lee Roth, Eddie and Alex Van Halen, with Wolfie Van Halen on bass), brought no fluff, and all rock to Scottrade Center. Fun to shoot, and the performance did not disappoint this 70′s VH generation photographer. Photos after the ‘Jump’. (more…)
4/27/2012 Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, MO. Supporting The Black Keys on their tour, England’s Arctic Monkeys were the perfect appetizer to feed the sold out crowd at Chaifetz. Lead vocalist Alex Turner was pretty much my primary focus being right in front of me, and the brightest lit of all the band members. Photos after the jump. (more…)
4/27/2012 Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, MO. – There was Gold on the Ceiling, as well as On the Stage last night at Chaifetz. In the span of 10 years, Dan Auerbach, and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys, have gone from Indie Garage Band to Arena headliners, following the releases of back to back killer records, 2010′s ‘Brothers’, and last year’s ‘El Camino’. On tour with the BK’s were England’s Arctic Monkeys. A great one two punch of a rock n roll show. Photos after the jump. (more…)
4/10/2012 – I am very happy to announce this fund raising project for Greek Fire drummer Johnny Venus, a photo book capturing the beginning, and rise of St. Louis band Greek Fire. As many of you know, Johnny was diagnosed with Leukemia earlier this year. Like many artists & musicians, who dedicate their lives to creating music and giving their all in order to entertain us, Johnny has minimal to no health insurance to help offset the cost of fighting through this disease, and continuing treatments. The music community, Greek Fire fans, and Johnny’s friends and family, have circled the wagons. We will do what we can to help provide the best care, until the day we all can celebrate his return to sitting behind the drum kit where he belongs. I’ve witnessed this band grow for the past 1 1/2 years, and have come to know, respect, and care about these gents beyond the stage. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing ten of their performances, nine in 2011 alone. It was a no brainer decision, for me to dig through my GF archive, and put together a personal collection of my favorite images that I’ve shot, and create a printed gallery that captures the spirit, energy, and passion that Greek Fire brings to every show. The book is an opportunity for me to personally give back, to a band, and individual, who have given me so much. It is also an opportunity to provide their fans, a snapshot in time, the beginnings of a band destined for greater things to come. When you purchase this book, 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Johnny. This is just one of many things, and events that are happening, and being planned to help. I’ve always felt there had to be a reason why I had to be at virtually every Greek Fire show with my camera (other than my love of great rock n roll and photography). That reason has been answered. Information on how to order your copy below. ON SALE NOW, 25% OFF through May 13th, 2012. (more…)
3/9/2012 Scottrade Center St. Louis, MO. – Radiohead, with special guest Other Lives (more…)
2011 – Damn, this year went by FAST! It’s always difficult for me to put together a Top 10 Photo list, or ‘Best Of’ year end recap. I don’t really like words like Greatest, or Best, because it’s all subjective. I’ll leave that up to you guys what means best, as it relates to your likes and dislikes. Instead, I’ve put together personal shows, events, moments, and memories from 2011, that made the year special to me. Some of these moments occurred during personal vacations, where all I had with me was my Sony point & shoot camera, others are tours shot in St. Louis for Live Nation. Best Concert Memories encompass many things, as I’m sure they do for you. Anticipation, the company your with, the atmosphere, the city, and most importantly, the energy and passion of the artist (s) on stage. I like all kinds of music, and I love live performances. All I ask of a performer, is when you get on that stage, whether I’ve paid $5 or $500 for this ticket, is give me 110%. Rock my ass off. Leave me feeling mesmorized, make memories for me. I’ll try not to ramble too much as I introduce my selections, but I probably will. Click on the event title to take you to my original post in a new window. Feel free to head to my facebook page if you’d like to share your favorites. I know I’ve missed more great performances than I’ve attended, especially at the Pageant, Pop’s, Firebird, and Fubar. St. Louis has a lot going on, believe it or not. Just ask Beatle Bob, 10 years of consecutive nights of live shows (or something ridiculous like that). All I know is I’m a fortunate boy. From Merle Haggard to U2, Bob Seger to Foo Fighters, Tim McGraw to Bon Jovi. Thanks for the memories 2011… You were quite awesome. In no particular order, photos after the jump. (more…)
12/17/2011 Pop’s Nightclub Suget, IL. - One thing stands out for me from Saturday’s final Point 105.7 Ho Ho show of the season, showcasing local bands: St. Louis Mo. has some very talented Mofo’s! (Connibal Road, Exit 714, Killer Me Killer You, Brookroyal, Greek Fire). What a great way to close the Ho Ho Series, and put a period on my final photoshoot of 2011. As great as all the bands were during their sets, this was Greek Fire’s night. I actually began this year shooting Greek Fire at their 1/18/11 show at Pops. So we’ve come full circle. 8 shoots later, here we are again. But this one was different. Earlier this year, everyone was mesmorized by the band’s live shows (GF is Phillip Sneed aka; Moon, Ryan Philips, Mark Joseph Roth, and Johnny Venus), it was clear something special was going on with these guys on stage. With help from the independently produced album Deus Ex Machina, countless live performances, regional and national radio exposure, and a fan base that now extends across the world, people are paying attention. This was most evident Saturday night, when the packed house of 1100 fans, sang the lyrics (very loud btw), to every song they performed. 2011 will be remembered as ‘Just The Beginning’ for this band, and the year ahead is yet to be written. All I know is, I want to continue watching, and photographing their journey, while still being able to access them in smaller venues. Every indication tells me, this won’t be for long. Photo’s after the jump. (more…)
12/9/2011 Scottrade Center St. Louis, MO. – Live Nation Presents. Shot from stage right, first two songs.
Tonight was a fun, work, plus date night show for me. For many years, Bob Seger has been on my bucket list, of performers to not only photograph, but to see live in concert. Following the first two songs, I took to my seat, where I was surrounded by fellow 50′ish year young rockers. To say the least, Seger’s songbook took me back to 1970′s Wichita, Kansas, at an age I was discovering myself, cool cars, girls, beer, and arena rock shows. I think I wore out 3 copies of cassette tapes of ‘Live Bullet’ during that period, which provided a soundtrack to good times and great memories, and to this day is one of the greatest live performance albums of all time. Surrounded by top notch musicians and backing vocalists, (including Silver Bullet Veterans Craig Frost on keyboards, Chris ‘C-Note’ Campbell on bass, and Alto Reed on saxophone), the packed Scottrade Center sang along to songs they’ve sung a thousand times. When you think about rock songs you’ve heard, for 30 plus years, the most memorable have a signature, iconic guitar, or keyboard riff making it instantly recognizable. We were reminded of this, when Alto Reed layed down the goose bumpy sax riff to ‘Turn The Page’. Awesome. Photo set after the jump. (more…)
10/7/2011 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis, MO. – The final show of the season at VWA, featuring Sugarland, with Sara Bareilles, included a bonus celebration of the StL Cardinals winning the National League Wild Card Series vs. The Philidelphia Phillies. Great performances from both artists, incredible Spring like weather (for St. Louis early October), and a Cards victory. That’s what I call “Bringing home a Winner!” Photo’s after the jump! (more…)
10/4/2011 Peabody Opera House, St. Louis, MO. – This was my first visit to the reborn Peabody Opera House. St. Louisans will remember the venue as Kiel Auditorium, constructed in the 1930′s. Wilco performed to a sold out audience, the second event at the House, and the 1st rock show event. Special guest Nick Lowe added support, and another bite of tasty to the evening. Photogs were limited to the side of the venue, limited view. Photos after the jump!
9/25/2011 Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis, MO. – a recap of the Main Stage performers, featuring Avenged Sevenfold, Three Days Grace, Seether, & Bullet For My Valentine, All preceeded by the prestigious and coveted ‘Miss Uproar‘ Contest. Photos after the jump!
9/25/2011 Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis, MO. – Just as spectacular as their last visit to StL in August 2010, Avenged Sevenfold brought with, a stage set, and lighting design, and sound experience second to none. The visual effects showcased the band’s 11 song, high energy set, which began with ‘Nightmare’, and ended with ‘Unholy Confessions’. You know you’re going to get a rock show when you head to an A7X concert. Just imagine, Apocalypse Now, in HD3D, surround sound, and a killer rock n roll soundtrack turned up to 11. A7X is doing for Fire and Pyro, what Pink Floyd did for the Laser. Simply awesome. But, as incredible as the production was, A7X (M Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, Synyster Gates, Johnny Christ, & Arin llejay) didn’t let us forget the music, and the reason thousands of fans were here. Mission: Melt Faces Off. Mission: Accomplished. I’m still buzzing from this one. Photos after the jump. (more…)
9/24/2011 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis, MO. – Chris Brown/ F.A.M.E Tour, supporting the singer’s fourth studio release of the same name, brought a club vibe to the shed Saturday night. Along with CB, was TYGA, Kelly Rowland, and T – Pain. Photos after the jump! (more…)
9/17/2011 Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO. – Rise Against opening for The Foo Fighters. This pairing was kinda a question mark when I first heard the announcement. But, as it turned out, RA was the perfect compliment to the Foo’s 2 hours and 45 minute hard rockin’ smackdown at Scottrade. I’m glad there are smarter people than me putting these shows together! Photos after the jump! (more…)
Kenny Williamson is a freelance photographer based in St. Louis, Mo., and music photographer with Live Nation St. Louis.
4/29/2012 Peabody Opera House St. Louis, MO. – As rockers Van Halen had the volume turned to e
10/7/2011 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis, MO. – The final show of the season a
2008 Sammy Hagar and the Wabos rolled into town, performing two shows, November 18th & 19th, at
