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…)

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!

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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!

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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…)

9/10/2011 Pointfest 29 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, St. Louis, MO. – The California duo Middle Class Rut (Zack Lopez – guitar/vocal, Sean Stockham – drums/vocal) kicked off the Main Stage performances at Pointfest 29, and were a pleasant surprise for me. They set the tone that 5 more hours of Rawk was coming at us. Photos after the jump! (more…)

9/17/2011 Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO. – The Foo Fighters, (Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett, Nate Mendel, and Pat Smear), reminded me, and 15, ooo plus St. Louisan’s, that rock n roll is alive and well in America, and… why I love what I do. The Foo’s are touring on the success of their latest release, ‘Wasting Light‘, which will win Rock Record of the Year at the Grammy’s (sorry to let the cat outta the bag), and just perhaps Album of the Year, period. This is THE Rock show to see, and is indeed THE best Rock show on tour right now, all 2 hours and 50′ish minutes of it. Photog Note: The photo pit was divided, on either side of the ramp which extended from the stage across the center of almost the entire length of the arena, and we had to choose one side or the other. The stage was also one of the tallest I’ve ever seen, about 10 inches taller than the top of my head. I was positioned stage right, with a better pov to Dave, Taylor, and Chris. I managed to get a shot or two of Pat and Nate, but for the most part, the action here stayed focused on what I could see visually on my side. Photo’s after the jump! (more…)

9/10/2011 Pointfest 29 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis, MO. – Bush closes the day long festival on the main stage. Photo’s after the jump!

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9/10/2011 Pointfest 29 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis, MO. – What a damn good day this was. It seems like I say this everytime, but 105.7  kpnt/The Point, and all involved with Pointfest, makes for one of the best days of fun and good times of the year. I’m not affiliated with the station, but have to give a shout out to everyone there, and the countless number of people that work together, in front, and behind the scenes, that give us this event twice a year. Besides all the fun, it’s also a day when I come home with 1500 plus images, and get to relive it all as I upload & edit, then look to decide what stays and what goes. It will take a few days to put out sets from all the artists I shot, but as I was getting the ducks lined up, I thought I’d toss a few out here, as a sets preview of what’s to come. On a day that preceeded the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, this day was a reminder, as we all will never forget ten years ago, that it’s ok to live, party with friends, and love music. It’s ok to take your mind off the serious stuff in life for a moment, and it’s ok to feel alive. I can’t wait for May, 2012 already. Photos after the jump.

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9/10/2011 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, St. Louis – Pointfest 29 /Radio station 105.7 The Point’s bi-annual festival for the people, once again delivered another killer day of big fun. Greek Fire is almost becoming the house band for the event, which is All Good to me. As much as I would love to see the guys on the main stage next year, it is the afternoon side stages where Moon shines (did I just say Moonshine?..) He owns it as a matter of fact. This is their year, well deserved after 2 years of hard work. Their recently released debut cd (Deus Ex Machina) made a statement on iTunes, and Amazon, on it’s release date, and a number of unforgettable shows that have this band on many peeps must see list. But it is just the beginning for Moon, Ryan, Mark, & Johnny. The future looks bright, not just for them, but for all of us engaged in watching their creative journey unfold. Photos after the jump! (more…)