Returning to the stage
The sun hammered the Bratfest grounds, as I left the backstage tent. The country band Frank Martin Busch and the Names just finished its soundcheck, and stepped backstage for a quick prayer.
I was excited to be backstage again. The last concert I shot was for O.A.R. in Chicago. It seems like a lifetime ago. I was a writer, juggling freelance reporting, with a draw toward features. Music was a sanctuary for when the demands of politics and open-record requests became too suffocating. I would interview bands, snap shots during the show and spend the rest of the night backstage.
I often joke when people ask about that time in my life, and make a quick reference to the Cameron Crowe movie, “…ever seen ‘Almost Famous’…?” I’d ask. “Well, I was almost, almost… almost famous.” There’s definitely stories, but nothing on par with the 2000 film. I always tried to be the most sober guy in the room. It was an honor to be there and I was a guest. A lot of musicians and techs never understood my philosophy, but I always thought it was better to be invited back to the next party, then to be punchline of it.
As Frank Martin Busch and the Names took the stage, the heat became a mere afterthought. I switched between my Canon R5 with a 24-70mm and a 5D Mark IV, equipped with a 70-200mm, catching wide angels and tight shots to freeze the energy and emotion on Frank’s face. His shows are a mix of country songwriting, with blues guitaring, but above all else, Frank is a storyteller, and a damn good one.
I’ve seen plenty of shows and I’ve seen plenty of bands, but not all of them are entertainers. I’ve seen some of the best bands in the world fail to connect with a stadium full of fans, and I’ve seen a single musician silence a crowded bar on a Saturday night. Frank’s shows strive for this connection.
The only regret I have - when it comes to concert photography - is no matter how much I try, how far I push it, images and videos just can’t capture the essence or the bond created between a live musician and their fans.