See Photos from Breaking Benjamin, Seether, Starset & Lacey Sturm at Ford Center
Another great night of live music in downtown Evansville and another 103 GBF #DamnLoudRockShow in the books! Breaking Benjamin, Seether, Starset, and Lacey Sturm were a musical and melodic force to be reckoned with at Tuesday night's show. The photographs to accompany the show, are not quite as astounding.
Pre-Concert Planning
The days leading up to a Damn Loud Rock Shows usually involved Melissa and I sending emails to various label, tour, and band management contacts to iron out final details for things like meet and greets, VIP experiences, and media passes for photographers. This show was no different, but some things took us a little longer to get confirmation on - like that photographer's pass.
"Can I Borrow Your Camera?"
Because of the delay, the photographer that was going to shoot for us wasn't able to make the gig. In a flash of inspirational problem solving, I called up a very dear friend, who also happens to do photography, and ask for a big favor, "I know this is a big ask, and if the answer is no, it is totally ok, but... can I borrow your camera?"
Always Coming in Clutch
It was totally an eleventh-hour, last-ditch effort to make use of the late-arriving photography pass, but fortunately, my friend Nikki is the absolute best and she is always coming in clutch. She even delivered her camera to me outside the venue! ...And that's how I found myself sporting a photog pass with a DSLR in my hand at Tuesday night's Damn Loud Rock Show.
Full Transparency - I Am Always Winging It
I will go ahead and tell you now that despite my best efforts, I will not be quitting my job in radio to become a tour photographer anytime soon. That said, it was definitely a new and exciting way to experience a concert and I do hope (after some practice behind the lens) that I can do it again sometime. So, when you look at these photos, keep in mind that like much of the rest of my life, I was 100% winging it the entire time!
Let's Get To The Show
The night started with Lacey Sturm taking the stage at Evansville's Ford Center. On stage with her were her bandmates, including her husband. It has been thirteen years since I had seen Lacey perform live (Roberts Stadium, 2009) but her voice is just as powerful and beautiful as it was the first time I saw her live.
The Power Stayed On
Starset had the second set of the evening and much like their last show in Evansville back in 2017, it was visually stunning with a full display of flashing and twirling lights. Unlike the 2017 performance though, they did not blow the breakers and the electricity inside Ford Center held through the powerful performance.
Feeling "So Sick?" There's a "Remedy"
Seether put on a stunning performance both vocally and visually as they performed fan favorites like "Remedy," and "Fake It." Lacey Sturm joined them for a rendition of "So Sick" from her days in Flyleaf. They offered the crowd a beautiful performance of "Broken" as well.
Headlining the Stage
The evening wrapped up with Breaking Benjamin making their return to the Ford Center stage. As always Shaun Foist kept the momentum while Jasen Rauch, Keith Wallen, and Aaron Bruch rocked out on guitars and bass. And of course, Benjamin Burnley hypnotized the arena with his vocals with everyone in the venue singing along at top volume to "Polyamorous," "Diary of Jane," and all of our other favorite Breaking Benjamin songs. Once again, Lacey Sturm made her return to the stage to perform "Dear Agony."
An Incredible Night of Live Music
It was truly an incredible night of live music from some of our all-time favorite rockers. While my skills behind a camera won't be winning me any kind of photo-journalism awards, it was really cool to experience a Damn Loud Rock Show through that lens, pun intended. I think for the next concert experience, I'll leave the photographs to the professionals... and the fans - if you want to share your show photos with us, use #DamnLoudRockShow when you post to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
The Next Damn Loud Rock Show
Speaking of next time, 103 GBF is proud to present Halestorm with special guests Stone Temple Pilots and Black Stone Cherry to Ford Center on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, for another Damn Loud Rock Show.