I've been waiting a while to see and photograph Stick to Your Guns since they last came to Vancouver 3 years ago supporting Pennywise - a show I unfortunately missed. Regardless, the hardcore band hailing from Orange County, CA absolutely slayed the show with extremely high energy, circle pits and sing-alongs. Jesse Barnett occasionally delivered some speeches ranging from the state of affairs in the world to assisting the addicted around the venue, from keeping an open mind to trading in his passport for a Canadian one. Despite having a relatively poor turn-out (the middle section of seats were closed off) all the fans have been hardcore followers for a long time and you could definitely see it.
When I told people I was going to see Gwen Stefani, they looked at me with pity and confusion (sweet child, now why would you do something like that?), and then after considering it for a while were like, “actually that would be pretty cool, it sounds so out it must be in.” Stefani’s dirty laundry being washed in public recently hasn’t helped with enticing fans out of the woodwork of their now late-20s to early-30s adult lives. Rogers Arena had trouble selling out the venue and tickets were rumoured to have been given away at embarrassingly low prices. Once onstage, Gwen’s opening line to the fans was straight from the gut and emotional: “Thank you for showing up!” It was touching and a little sad. She then started playing songs that once upon a time must have packed venues from door to door. That’s when things went from doubtful to shameless fun at the Gwen Stefani 2016 concert, making it my most bizarre concert experience ever.
July 20, 2016 - For Beatroute BC. Review by Glenn Anderson to be linked when published.
Not my favourite image-set due to shooting limitations to aisles at the Orpheum, but I think there's some goodies in here. Acoustics and crowd were wild!
July 30, 2016 - First and only wedding for the season (as you all know, it's not my main focus) but I thought I'd share some of my favourite images from it. Twas a beautiful and unique ceremony as it combined both your general Western wedding (with Irish highlights) alongside those with the traditions of the Musqueam peoples - which was owed to Adrienne's work alongside First Nations groups. Shooting was non-stressful and the two were a dream to work with - no pressure at all and plenty of opportunities to shoot.