XiJinDu Weekly Music Festival Week 9

After week 8 was rained out, it was good to be back at my old stomping grounds and this week, two good bands were book from Beijing. First up was 温莎森林乐队.

 

 

温莎森林乐队 is clearly a young university band. They had a good set on stage and sounded good.  I had fun shooting them and some of the band members were clearly a little shy when I was shooting them in the beginning. Being a foreigner shooting in China means I really stand out in the pit and most bands notice me very quickly, the experienced bands make sure I get the shots I need but the younger bands are more work because they either shy away from the camera or play it up too much and the shots looked stage.

 

 

 

 

 

After 温莎森林乐队 set, it was time for 无有乐队 to hit the set. They are one of my favorite bands to shoot in China. The last time I shot them, I had a great time and came away with some great shots.

 

 

When 无有乐队 came onto stage, the first thing I thought about the lead singer was, were is his hear? The last time I shot the band, the lead singer had long hear, so I was a little shocked that his look had changed so much.

 

 

This photo is from the previous set that I had shot of the band, about one year ago. I think you can see that there is a huge difference in their look.

 

 

Regardless of their new look, they sounded great and after the first song, I completely forgot about their new look and got down to business, shooting and enjoying the show.

 

 

 

无有乐队 really had a great set. The crowd got a little crazy by the end of the set but crazy crowds and rock/metal bands go hand in hand. The one funny thing is rushing at the end of the show onto the stage to get the band photo. To shoot the shot, you have get onto stage and fight for position with the other photographers. It is first come, first serve and if you get there late, you get a shit position to shoot from. I got onto stage late and i had to try and shoot from between the drums to set this shoot. Not great but I knew that the band wanted one of these shots, but I crop based guitarists feet. I doubt he cares, but it still bothers me.

It was a good night, and I am looking forward to see who I am shooting next week.

Shaun.