All posts in photos

16May

Highly Suspect

Highly Suspect might not have been the biggest name coming into DC101’s annual Kerfuffle music festival, but they absolutely stole the show.

It can be a challenge to get folks off their feet when you’re only given 30 minutes or so in the early stages of a 12-hour marathon concert, but Highly Suspect packed ample amounts of energy and entertainment into their abbreviated set and the sellout crowd at Merriweather Post Pavilion responded.

If you’ve never seen them live, do yourself a favor and remedy the situation as quickly as possible. These guys are destined for bigger and better things in the not-too-distant future.

16May

MISSIO

With songs titled “I Do What I Want,” “I Don’t Even Care About You” and “Middle Fingers,” it’s safe to say MISSIO might have a chip on their proverbial shoulder.

But that attitude and approach is clearly working for this dynamic duo of Matthew Brue and David Butler. These Austin, Texas natives delivered a memorable performance as one of the opening acts of DC101’s 2017 Kerfuffle.

16May

Catfish and the Bottlemen

If I’m being completely honest, I don’t know a thing about Catfish and the Bottlemen.

According to their Wikipedia page, they’re a British rock band from Wales and they got together in 2007. Oh, and apparently their lead singer, Van McCann, used to be in a Beatles cover band with bassist Benji Blakeway. So they’ve got that going for them, which is nice.

All jokes aside, even though I wasn’t familiar with their work, Catfish and the Bottlemen was extremely popular with the crowd at DC101’s Kerfuffle. And, from my point of view, they looked the part of rockstars, played a lengthy set and were incredibly easy to photograph during their performance.

To see my full gallery of photos from throughout the day at DC101’s Kerfuffle 2017, go here.

16May

Fitz and The Tantrums

 

Since they burst onto the scene in 2008, Fitz and The Tantrums have produced a series of high-energy hits. Regardless of whether you consider them indie or pop, chances are you’ve heard your fair share of the Los Angeles-based band’s top tracks, like “Moneygrabber,” “The Walker” and, most recently, “HandClap.”

While they were only able to play an abbreviated set at DC101’s Kerfuffle this year, they did not disappoint during their time in the spotlight. Lead singers Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs can both sing, but they are also solid performers. Their synchronized dancing and overall showmanship kept smiles on the faces of those in attendance.

To see my full gallery of photos from throughout the day at DC101’s Kerfuffle 2017, go here.

15May

Jimmy Eat World

For three years of my life, I worked as a bartender at my father’s bar on the weekends to make some extra cash. While much of that experience was highly enjoyable, not everything was sunshine and lollipops.

For example, during that timeframe I can conservatively say that I heard roughly six million renditions of “Sweetness,” “The Middle” and countless other tracks from the Jimmy Eat World catalog. After covering their performance at DC101’s Kerfuffle 2017, I am relieved to report they are much more talented than the drunken karaoke duds I was subjected to for all those years.

 

Jimmy Eat World kicked off their set with “Bleed American,” which was a nice way to get the crowd fired up for their hourlong performance. From there, they did a masterful job of weaving through high-energy tracks and some of their softer selections. In total, they played a really-enjoyable 16-song set that included pretty much everything you could ask for.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from their set. To see my full gallery of photos from throughout the day at DC101’s Kerfuffle 2017, go here.

15May

Weezer

Sat It Ain’t So. Island in the Sun. Buddy Holly. Beverly Hills. Hash Pipe. Undone – The Sweater Song.

The list goes on and on.

For more than 20 years, Weezer has delivered. When I saw that they were among the performers at DC101’s Kerfuffle this year, I knew I had to be there. When I found out I was going to be credentialed to cover the show on behalf of D.C. Music Download, I was beyond ecstatic. And anyone who takes a quick peak at their setlist for that evening, will likely feel the same way. Even though they only had time to play 13 songs, they made the most of it.

Unless they have special permission from the band, photographers are only allowed to shoot during a band’s first three songs. After that, you and your camera take a walk until the next band hits the stage. Even though the first three songs flew by, I was more than happy to put the camera away and enjoy the rest of Weezer’s set. Here are my favorite images I was able to capture during those first three songs.

To see my full gallery of photos from throughout the day at DC101’s Kerfuffle 2017, go here.

02Apr

Portugal. The Man.

The calendar might have read April 1st, but Portugal. The Man’s performance at the 9:30 Club was no joke.

The night started with a 20-minute set from Paris, France native, DJ J Hart, followed by hip hop artist HDBeenDope. For his first performance in D.C., HDBeenDope fired up the crowd with a high-energy 30-minute performance before turning the stage over to the headliners.

From the first chord of “Creep in a T-Shirt” until they finished up their encore with “Feel It Still,” Portugal. The Man. delivered an amazing night of music on the first of back to back nights at D.C.’s most iconic venue.

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