Brand New / Modest Mouse | 07.23.16 | Austin360 Amphitheater
Before I even begin talking about this show I need to say that getting to photograph Brand New is something I've always wanted and dreamed of doing, but never thought I'd actually get the chance to do so. They don't usually allow photographers to shoot their shows (aside from festivals I suppose) but when I started seeing photographers I really admire posting images from their sets I knew I had to try and get in to shoot. Honestly, I figured I wouldn't be able to get in with my name alone, but I sure as hell was going to try. And as the day of the concert crept up, I had almost given up the hope I had getting media approval but on Friday I got the email I had been cleared to shoot Brand New's set the next day. Lately, I've been doubting myself and just feeling bummed about not photographing or going to as many shows as I used to. The whole reason I started this blog was with the hope of using it to be able to photograph my favorite bands and write about them... and I was able to do just that and I am so grateful and humbled by that. For me, getting into this show was a big freaking deal. I also need to say there's no way I'd even be able to do this without all the support from my friends and family. They've always encouraged me and believed in me when I (pretty much constantly) doubt myself. My photography is always something that I do completely for myself, but I completely dedicate it to them because there's no doubt I owe this to them for all their support. It means the world to me, and I hope you know exactly who you are.
The day of the concert was a crazy one and it was also my mom's birthday. I felt a little selfish about trying to get into a show the same day, but I also knew that of course my mom would understand that this opportunity to photograph a band that I really love is a dream come true. The day was a blur honestly, and I did get to spend time with my mom for her birthday for a bit before I had to get ready for the show. I was such a bundle of nerves trying to get to the venue and kept forgetting things as I was leaving my apartment but finally made it where I needed to be at 7, with 15 minutes to spare. My heart was pounding as 7:15 approached, and as it turns out, the show had been pushed back 30 minutes... which only prolonged my anxiety. A few of my best friends were at the venue, at the barrier, and kept sending me messages of encouragement. Our points of contact were so kind and helpful and the the time finally came for us to be escorted into the photo pit. I walked along looking for my friends, found them, exchanged hugs, and then I took my spot in the photo pit and I am not going to lie, I was trembling a little bit.
Brand New took the stage and I could not believe I was actually there about to photograph some of their set. Of course the three songs (that I was singing along to, of course) went by entirely too quickly, and we were escorted out of the pit back up to a tent along the far right side of the venue. I've seen Brand New a handful of times these past couple years with some of my best friends; it was unreal photographing them, and it was weird to be at a distance watching the rest of their set when I am so used to being in the thick of it, being pushed against the barrier, screaming the lyrics. This time I was surrounded by people casually talking and on their phones. Whenever I've seen Brand New, the crowd's been pretty rowdy with lots of pushing and crowd surfing, but whenever I looked into the crowd, it didn't seem too be too crazy. What was cool though which I don't normally get to hear while I'm in the pit with everyone was was the crowd singing along with Jesse Lacey and that put such a smile on my face. I always think that's such a beautiful thing, to hear the chorus of voices at concerts. Jesse and Vincent are mesmerizing to watch and it was during one song in particular that I can't remember for the life of me that Garrett's bass line was just perfect. I was fangirling the entire time, but especially when they played Noro and when Okay, I Believe You but My Tommy Gun Don't segued into Degausser. Brand New always puts on such a show and I hope this wasn't the last time I'll get to see them, but now at least I can cross getting to photograph them off my bucket list.
Photographing the first three songs at bigger name concerts is pretty standard, which can be frustrating when I'm so used to photographing smaller, more intimate sets the entire time because there are no camera policies. But sometimes, you'll get to shoot the encore, and I guess sometimes, if you're really lucky, you get to photograph the entire set, which ended up being the case with Modest Mouse. I'm nowhere near as big of a fan of Modest Mouse as I am with Brand New, which isn't a very fair comparison, but I definitely like their music, I'm just not as familiar with it. They put on a killer show, and I really wish I recognized more than a handful of songs. Every single band member was so fascinating to watch and sounded so great. I lasted in the photo pit until their fourth encore song and I just couldn't cut it anymore... I also knew at that point that I had definitely photographed everything I could and I was just so freaking exhausted. Gauging from the girl hysterically crying behind me and all the people I saw dancing, I know people were having a fantastic time and really enjoying the show.
It's been a couple days and I think I'm still in disbelief that I got this opportunity. Below I've split the images from the show into two different sets and I hope people understand how important the chance to capture these images are to me because I still find this whole experience unreal.
