Music Photography

Andy's experience in music photography comes from covering the both inaugural and then the follow up Global Citizen Festival, the first time a music event had been held in Central Park, New York. The festival, now annually held, is part of a movement to end extreme poverty. By contributing to charity acts fans can earn free tickets to the festival. Experiencing a weekend of build up and music, Andy covered the sights and sounds of the festival including the sound checks, from backstage and the stage wings, and from the front of house photography pit.

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Band playing music on stage with large video screen, of band playing, in background

Man seated at drum kit waving drum sticks in the air

Man playing guitar singing into a microphone with large screen behind him showing him performing

Man playing pale blue guitar with drum kit in the background

Man in pale blue denim shirt lifting drumstick in the air

Man playing pale blue guitar with photographer in front taking photographs

Man in baseball cap playing bass guitar singing into a microphone

Silhouette of man with guitar over his shoulder standing in front of large screen

Live Music Photographer

The first event included photographing onstage during the soundcheck for Neil Young and Crazy Horses and Band of Horses whilst also covering K’Naan, The Black Keys and Foo Fighters.

A year later, the 2013 the lineup included Kings of Leon, Elvis Costello, Alicia Keys, John Mayer with Stevie Wonder the headline act, later accompanied by guest Janelle Monáe, who was introduced by U2’s lead singer Bono.

Man in denim shirt and jeans playing acoustic guitar, holding left arm in the air, with light show in the background

Man playing guitar singing into a microphone with large screen behind him showing coloured circles

Man talking into a microphone with large screen behind him showing him speaking

Man in denim shirt and jeans playing acoustic guitar with light show in the background

Man in denim shirt and jeans playing acoustic guitar

Man in denim shirt and jeans playing acoustic guitar with big screen behind showing him performing

Cameraman standing in front of large screen showing man singing with portable keyboard slung around his shoulders

Woman singing into microphone standing next to man seated at a piano with large screen, showing the two people, in the background

Man in denim shirt and jeans playing electric guitar with drums and light show in the background

Man wearing a hat playing a guitar singing into a microphone

Man wearing a hat playing a guitar singing into a microphone in front of a large crowd with film crew behind him

Man playing guitar wailing into a microphone

Two men holding hands raised into the air

Man playing portable electronic keyboard piano on stage

The soundcheck and artist close ups

A concert soundcheck is the critical final rehearsal and technical calibration that happens before an audience arrives. It ensures that both the audience and the performers hear a balanced, clear, and safe sound. Photographing the soundcheck offers images of behind-the-scenes (BTS), scouting shooting angles, and getting comfortable in the venue. It provides candid, relaxed shots of the artists which bands often use for social media, tour promos, or documentary-style content.

Man with arm fill of tattoos playing with drum sticks seated at a drum kit

Man with beard wearing denim playing the guitar

Man onstage playing a guitar with stage hands in the background

Man with beard wearing denim playing the guitar with stage hands in background

Man in light grey sweatshirt playing guitar on stage with crew in background

Man onstage tuning a guitar with film crew in the background

Music festival

Live music and a music festival is not only what happens on stage, it is also about photographing what happens offstage and the festival experience.

It is about capturing the stage, the audience reaction, the small moments of hosts waiting in the wings, and the backstage work that goes into making a music festival a success.

The fans

No question about it; fans make live music. Rocking out, singing along, showing their love, or being silently in awe of what they are witnessing on stage during a music concert; sometimes the frame is not what is happening on stage.

Woman in crowd looking forwards with eyes wide open

Crowd lit by red light with man holding up mobile phone

Crowd lifting hands in the air making 'O' shape

Construction workers behind a large stage at night time lit by floodlights

Girl wearing hat and sunglasses in a crowd with her mouth open

Man wearing baseball cap sitting in front of guitar rack and storage boxes

Woman in black leather jacket frame by yellow semi circle

The venue and production

Set the scene; close and tight images of a musician or band on stage could be taken anywhere. Set the scene and show where a concert is taking place and the production behind the show. What is the lighting design, what are the effects, show the full treatment of the show which fans will be talking about for years to come.

Music stage at night time with large screen and light show

Crowd behind metal barriers lit by red light with city skyline in the background