It was one of those crazy days where things or I should just simply say “I” was a bit discombobulated. I show up at The Regency Ballroom to photograph Nightwish, Sabaton and Delain only to realize OOPS they are at The Warfield! Fortunately, they are fairly close and fortunately I know how to work parking in San Francisco and so made it with minutes to spare but WAIT! Start time was not 8 but moved to 7.30 and Delain are on the last song. Ohh crap! All was not lost, however, when the lovely people of The Warfield know and understand my plight especially when they know I’m shooting for Goldenvoice and say “shoot, shoot, shoot!” and I got at least a few of Delain. Whew! Next stop “the pit” with some time to spare.

I don’t do a lot of research on bands I don’t know before photographing them. I like being surprised and coming in with a clean perspective. I don’t know why in this world of everybody googling everything but I like surprises I guess. So with no expectations I go to the pit for Sabaton and walk out laughing my ass off–in a good way. Thobbe Englund and Chris Rörland just made my night. They gave me every opportunity they could for awesome shots and were making sure I got them. I LOVE THAT. So much said just from eye contact. Thank you all in Sabaton!

Now, Nightwish. I knew there was a female lead singer and some unique, distinguished looking faces of the men in the band but it was their expressions that made it for me. Every last face was just beautiful.