This was a crazy weekend. T’was Father’s Day, my 15th anniversary with my wifey, the first day of summer, and YYJ Rocktographers’ Festival Season showcase.
Somewhere in there, though, I deked out of my regularly scheduled programming to catch a band I love: Isobel Trigger.
Here’s where it gets interesting: this was a small, free, mid-afternoon show in the parking lot of Long & McQuade, set against the chainlink-fence-which-prevents-you-from-falling-many-storeys-to-your-doom slash dumpster-and-loading-pallets background, with 3/4 of the band under a shady tent, and 1/4 of the band in direct sunlight.
But boy howdy, do I ever love a shooting challenge. =)
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 18 mm · 1/4000 s · f/2.8 · ISO 400
This . . . is the rockstar point. I’ve only ever received this from an artist once before (Vince Vaccaro at Rifflandia 2011) and, as a concert photographer, there’s a special aflutter your heart goes when you receive this.
Felicia totally played up to the three photographers in attendance for this show. Honestly, the last time I saw this amount of attention to the photographers was when I shot KISS.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 · 126 mm · 1/1500 s · f/2.8 · ISO 400
Ariel, under the sun spotlight, was a focused, unstoppable ball of drumming energy. Also, go long-haired drummers. So great for badass photos.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 · L: 175 mm · M: 159 mm · R: 110 mm · 1/4000 s · f/2.8 · ISO 400
Felicia shines with stage presence, and her comfort singing is obvious, leaving her free for little moments with the crowd like this.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 · 146 mm · 1/1500 s · f/2.8 · ISO 400
The entire band is very exacting in their music, hitting one-note breaks with impressive precision before everyone kicks back just as strong and loud.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 · L: 126 mm · R: 76 mm · 1/1500 s · f/2.8 · ISO 400
Brett, on guitar (and just as impressive on a pedal steel), has that rockstar vibe to him. He’s in to it.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 · 70 mm · 1/1500 s · f/2.8 · ISO 400
Conversely, bassist Ryan seems completely chill about the whole situation.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 · 83 mm · 1/2000 s · f/2.8 · ISO 400
It was a super-fun performance, and the second I’ve seen from them. Isobel Trigger has been my USS of late.
I attempted to be at the first seven performances USS had in Victoria, and was blocked at every turn by sickness, scheduling conflicts, miscommunication, alien attacks, etc. before I finally succeeded. A few times.
It took me a few tries to finally catch Isobel Trigger live at Rock the Royal! last year and, since then, I’ve managed to miss at least three of their shows. I SHALL PERSEVERE.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 · L: 88 mm · L: 200 mm · 1/1500 s · f/2.8 · ISO 400
And can I just say that Felicia has the most amazing rings since Georgia Murray? So flippin’ cool.
L: Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 35 mm · 1/3000 s · f/1.8 · ISO 400
R: Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 · 175 mm · 1/1500 s · f/2.8 · ISO 400
It was just 30 or so of us in a back parking lot, but Isobel Trigger rocked it like they were headlining an arena stage which, by all rights of their talent, is the status I believe they deserve.
Canon EOS 70D · Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM · 18 mm · 1/4000 s · f/1.8 · ISO 400
=)