I didn’t even realize when I requested to shoot this show that it was supposed to be their last tour. I find it hard to believe these guys will be able to give this up, with the fire they still have in them, and let me tell you, these guys are in damn good shape for their age. Or ANY age.
I often shoot bands I am lukewarm about or worse, but hey, I’m a child of the 80s, and loved my old school metal. This was one of those shows where I got to be a fangirl as well as a photographer, and I am so glad I got to shoot these guys the last time around.
But I’m still hoping it won’t be the last time around. Only time will tell…
And here it is, hands down the best metal ballad EVER:
Big names, big money, big production…you always know big name acts are going to pimp out the stage for their show, but The Black Eyed Peas upped the ante with a glitter and techno glam love fest at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan March 9.
They set the stage, literally, with a long runway going out into the crowd that lit up like an airway strip as the lights dimmed, and various green light circuit board graphics lit the stage, while the loudspeaker droned out a “checklist” of mechanical preparations for the show. As fans watched the side stages for the Peas to appear, alas, one by one, they were lifted up through the stage via trapdoors in the green mist.
And that was just the tip of the iceberg.
As the band launched into “Let’s Get it Started,” the lights came up, nearly blinding the crowd with the sparkly costuming the quartet was sporting, particularly will.i.am’s silver glitter jacket and Fergie’s silver “My Favorite Martian” dress and leggings. The fashion was as important as the setting, and they worked the runway, strutting out into the screaming fans at The Palace. Then stereo speaker robots danced onto the stage and catwalk in a visual three ring circus.
And oh yeah…they played music, too.
No surprises here — it was the standard hit list, including: Don’t Phunk with my Heart, My Humps, Pump It, Meet Me Halfway, Imma Be, Boom Boom Pow, and I’ve Got a Feeling. And Fergie took a solo turn for three songs. Which is fitting. Even with all the glitz and glam, Fergie is one of the few performers that can upstage even the most theatrical of performances and productions.
This is THE Halloween party to end all parties. The proprietors have turned several properties in a run down Detroit neighborhood into a dark carnival, and every year, they put on the biggest Halloween bash on the planet, from dusk ’til dawn – bands, freakshow acts, burlesque, performance artists, fire dancers…it’s sensory overload. Yes, the tickets really cost $60. Yes, it really sells out early every year. And yes, they really put all that money into the party, to the tune of about a $70K budget. That’s right folks, this is a labor of love, not profit. Nothing like it in the world.
THE DEEPER PERSPECTIVE CATEGORY (Where you write a short essay with the photos to explain the story)
DIANA PRICE entry 53650 – Title: Koffin Kats Live – PHOENIX, US
PHOTO ESSAY
DIANA PRICE entry 53650 – Title: Koffin Kats Live – PHOENIX, US
PEOPLE — LIFESTYLE
DIANA PRICE entry 48936 – Title: Stitch Hopeless and the Sea Legs CD shoot – PHOENIX, US
DIANA PRICE entry 49798 – Title: The Circle Jerks – PHOENIX, US
PEOPLE — PORTRAIT
DIANA PRICE entry 53265 – Title: Retro Glamour – PHOENIX, US
DIANA PRICE entry 53784 – Title: Band of Brothers – PHOENIX, US
DIANA PRICE entry 53746 – Title: Sarah – PHOENIX, US
ADVERTISING — MUSIC
DIANA PRICE entry 48924 – Title: The Dollyrots – PHOENIX, US
DIANA PRICE entry 49798 – Title: The Circle Jerks – PHOENIX, US
