I have never been at a Red Hot Chili Peppers show that has been anything less than incredible (and FUN!). As musicians and performers, the Chili Peppers are enchanting—their ability to convey the energy, power and sheer delight that comes from creating and sharing their music is something else.
For this reason, I decided that my camera would remained holstered for the majority of this show. I’d seen a sea of cameras (as well as a 6-foot high dancing chili pepper!) in the audience so I figured the show was being well documented already. I did however find it irresistible to capture a few great moments from Flea, Josh Klinghoffer, and Chad Smith. These photos say it all. (Anthony Kiedis is missing here of course, but the real Sis-Diss photo gal Ady captured a full set from the Philly show in May, so check her post for many more photos).
As always, many many thanks to an amazingly generous friend for the opportunity to experience it all. You know who you are and I hope you know how much you are appreciated. I had a great time with Renee!
I’m fairly certain that it isn’t often one gets the chance to photograph a band as legendary as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. At least it isn’t often that I do!
As I was in the pit setting up to photograph I couldn’t help but be reflective. My first thought was, how can I get the shots I want in just a short three songs (the amount many bands allow photographers to shoot). And then, I wondered what songs I would get.
The band opened with Monarchy of Roses, and my photographing concluded with Scar Tissue. I mentioned to a friend of mine that at one point I was taken from my lens and almost forgot what I was there to do. I was so absorbed into the stage performance that I had put my camera down and stood in awe, just watching. This was the first time I had seen Josh Klinghoffer play as a Chili Pepper and I was impressed—his energy just as frenetic as the next one which I believe is the hallmark of a live Chili Pepper show. I can only imagine you can’t be taught this, and it must be an inherent trait that one possesses in order to sustain a show just like the one I was fortunate enough to see.
So, I was standing there and just watching while they played through Can’t Stop and didn’t realize I wasn’t taking pictures until the photographers were walking on each side of me! OH NO! I need to get back to it; and so I did. It was one of the most fun, and colorful stages I’ve photographed yet. I can only imagine the hard work, effort and planning a show like this requires to put on.
And did I mention the overall vibe of the venue? Everyone was beyond happy? How often do you go to a show where people move out of the way for each other, smile, talk, and share stories about how long they have liked the band, or how they are FAN-atics? It was a great night, and I only wish I could say more, but I will leave it to this photo set to say the rest.
Here’s a sneak preview of some kick arse Chili Peppersphotos taken by Ady at their Philly show on 5/11/12. Coming Wednesday, the full gallery of over 60 of the best photos in our collection!
The scene downtown last Sunday was vibrant and buzzing in anticipation of the Red Hot Chili Peppers playing their free show in support of the Obama campaign. T’was a family affair as I attended with family and loved ones, including Ella and Ava (pictured, at their very first big concert experience). We all were treated to box seats thanks to a very generous friend, so the vantage point of the stage and show was free and clear and resulted in a few photos and a great video —admittedly slightly imperfect audio due to proximity to amps—of second song “Dani California” from the short and sweet 6 song (plus encore) set.
The energy level at the early hour of 1 o’clock in the afternoon (a disorienting time to be in full live show mode but I liked it) was as high, if not higher than any other Chili Peppers shows I’ve been to. And I walked away once again wishing that bottled essence of Flea-energy Juice was on the market. (Speaking of, Rocket Juice, anyone?)
Thanks to the mind behind Offmyeffingmedswho was in our entourage and took over review duties for the day (check his hilarious no holds barred social commentary blog and twitter account, I command you!).
Catching the Red Hot Chili Peppers yesterday at the House of Blues was just too fucking cool! You’d have difficulty imagining a better way to spend Julian Easter. (I’m thinking Jesus would actually have to show up for the party.)
Anyway, warm temperatures and the early-afternoon performance only fed the surrealistic atmosphere. We got an invitation at 10:30 am, while we were still abed. The ensuing explosion of activity probably damaged the last (very small) shred of sanity our cat possessed.
We were presentable and out of the house soon thereafter, cursing drivers who had apparently received instructions to use any means necessary to delay us. Nobody drove no more than 15 mph below the speed limit. Their efforts failed, though. We reached downtown Cleveland in plenty of time to join the party on Euclid Avenue.
1,200 Obama workers had worked for free tickets to the show. All of them turned up.
After running a couple videos that highlighted the President’s achievements, his national campaign manager introduced the band, and urged the audience to consider why a world-class outfit like RHCP would sacrifice time and sleep to help inject political volunteers with a bit of energy. (You should do the same.)
The House of Blues is not a concert venue…it’s a large saloon. Being locked down in a room of that size with the Chilis is like Talking Heads’ “Heaven,” without the irony. It’s perfect. The band jumped into ”Can’t Stop” and didn’t waste a second of the next 45 minutes. Energy was not a problem.
Chad Smith is simply an amazing drummer, both visually and aurally, and tossed at minimum a dozen sticks to the fans and no one worried about losing an eye. Josh Klinghoffer seems to have been bred to play guitar for the band. He’s got the swag and the chops cold…and merits at least a 9.2 for floor exercises! Flea and Anthony, the over-amped heart of the Chilis, did what they always do: brought the funk and never let up.
“Dani Cali,” “Look Around,” and “Rain Dance Maggie,” followed and then everybody caught their breath during “Under the Bridge.” Two more songs and it was over.
We felt the longing of Mother Teresa: God spoke to her once at an early age and then abandoned her for the rest of her life. Leaving her with one powerful hunger.
Sisters Dissonance 