Harry and the Potters visited the Los Angeles Public Library for a free live show during the beginning of summer. I am not a very big Harry Potter fan, but a few friends of mine were so I decided to tag along. It would have been better if I had read the books because of the lyrics, but all in all the concert was fun and very entertaining. Enjoy some pics, and try to check them out on youtube for some songs.

Phoenix played to a sold out Tabernacle hosted by 99x. This was a largely anticipated concert to come into Atlanta, and highly publicized. I was excited that a pass was going to me for this one, and couldn’t wait to hear them live. Two Door Cinema Club opened the night, playing indie style rock. They started out in Northern Ireland, and now open up for Phoenix during their band tour. Kevin Baird grooving on his bass guitar.

Alex Trimble, lead singer and guitarist, rocking out.

Next two sequences illustrate the energy of Kevin Baird.

Kevin Baird going in with his backup vocals.

Alex Trimble with a funky face on.

To add to the international theme, Phoenix,a French alternative rock band founded by Thomas Mars, Deck D’Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz in Versailles. They have been around since 2000, but recently became bigger with their single 1901. The concert started out really dark, with nothing but backlights, so I tried to figure if I could take some silhouette shots of guitarist Laurent Brancowitz.

Thomas Mars with a silhouette as well.

Thomas Mars, lead singer, singing to the crowd.

Deck D’Arcy playing some keyboard.

Thomas Mars, kind of static this time.

Christian Mazzalai on guitar.

Deck D’Arcy, but this time on his bass guitar.

Thomas Hedlund, rocking out on his drums under the Phoenix banner.

Christian Mazzalai trying to show off his guitar skills while it up.

Deck D’Arcy moving with the beat.

Christian Mazzalai and his guitar step.

Thomas Mars creeping up to the stage.

Thomas Hedlund playing the guitar, not very exciting.

Thomas Mars making it to the crowd.

Thomas Hedlund getting his funk on.

Thomas Mars with his fans going wild.

Owl City, as well as Paper Route and Lights, visited the Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia on April 20, 2010. The gates opened with a variety of people ranging from 12 to 20′s. Paper Route opened up the concert of keyboardist and synthesized sounds. The sounds of this American indie rock band from Nashville, TN actually surprised me and left me wanting to discover more. J.T. Daly, who is the guitarist and vocalist for the band, screams out the lyrics.

Andy Smith rocking out on his bass guitar.

Chad Howat, lead singer and keyboardist, performing for the crowd.

Another of Chad Howat trying to play piano while singing.

Chad Howat jamming out on his keyboard.

Gavin McDonald on drums for Paper Route.

An interesting shot of the intensity that Chad Howat has for his music. I was disappointed with all the red lighting, it messes with all the photos.

Chad Howat making an interesting face.

Chad Howat getting a little more intimate.

Finally some decent lighting was shined down on guitarist J.T. Daly.

Lights was another band that opened for the featured presentation of Owl City. I have also never heard any of their music, but love discovering new sights, of course, and sounds. Legal name now Lights Valerie Poxleitner but born as Valerie Ann Poxleitner is a Canadian Singer and Songwriter. Their sound is similar to Owl City with more of an electropop sound, which is lead by her keyboard melody.

Lights pulled out a different instrument, the Keytar.

As expected, when Owl City was finally about to take stage, a swarm of 12 year old shrills rose to pierce the ear drums. Owl City started as a one man band of Adam Young finding his way to cure his insomnia during his nights at home. It soon blossomed into a full swing publicly signed record and caught the pop culture’s ear. Adam Young approached the stage sitting in the drummer’s seat, starting the beat off for the songs to build upon.

A vocal synthesizer is used in many of his songs, but its cool how everything is live, unlike other concerts with prerecorded tracks.

The backup singers, who are also the ones that play on violin and viola.

Really like this shot of the violinist getting into the music they produce

Every year, around after spring break has passed, the Georgia Tech student programs brings in a band for a Sting Break concert. Last year I covered the concert, which featured OAR and Parachute. Well this year, there was a different sound with opener Crash Kings and headliner JET. I remember the lighting was pretty impressive inside the Alexander Memorial Coliseum, but this was different. The venue was held at the Burger Bowl on Georgia Tech campus, the same as the homecoming concert the previous fall. Crash Kings started the concert with harmonious sounds. Jason Morris provided the base beat on the drums.

Bassist Mike Beliveau was very energetic, moving about the stage to his own groove.

His brother, Tony Beliveau, leads as vocalist and pianist.

I really liked the way Mike Beliveau tries to get the crowd into the music with his energy. It wasn’t that great of a performance persay, but the music was outstanding.

Crash Kings ended with their well known song, “Mountain Man.”

Just a wide shot of the stage.

I thought it was pretty entertaining to see the KS1 guys being none other then our quarterback Josh Nesbitt and A-Back Anthony Allen.

JET is a rock band out of Melbourne, Australia composed of lead singer and guitarist Nic Cester.

His brother Chris Chester is on drums, providing backing vocalist and percussion.

On bass is Mark Wilson, not very energetic, but not everyone has to be.

Cameron Muncey as guitarist and backing vocalist.

I wanted to get a wide shot, and I thought the spotlight effect helped to make this photo.

Cameron Muncey with intense moves, loving the longer shutter to give you a sense of movement.

I had to get a few photos of the lead singer Nic Cester since there was a somewhat spotlight effect on him and his brother. Not very animated like other performances I’ve seen but great facial expressions.

And brother Chris Cester giving it his all, drumming while screaming his heart out.

One of the last and best photos for last. The backdrop on the stage just gives a great glowing effect.

And a view of the crowd, not as many in attendance as I would have expected.

I was pretty tired the day I noticed I had to take photos of Spoon. I fell asleep earlier that day, March 20, 2010, and noticed that I was late for the opener. I was contemplating on going, but decided to do it after listening to some Spoon on YouTube. The day opened up with Atlanta-based Deerhunter, which is a four member indie rock group. Bradford Cox founded the band, which has gone through many lineup changes, and currently is the lead vocalist and guitarist.

The band on stage was somewhat stagnant, but that fits their easy going music style.

Next two are of the bassist Josh Fauver

And a close up of Bradford Cox.

Lockett Pundt on guitar and backup vocals.

I was expecting a better lit show when I came into the Tabernacle but was disappointed with the lack of anything. It was rather difficult to get anything work keeping of Spoon, so this is what I had to make due with. Most of the light was focused on lead vocalist and guitarist Britt Daniel, so of course I was going to get more keepers with him.

A view of the stage, not very pleasant.

Eric Harvey, on keyboard and percussion, with a very interestingly lit picture. I kind of like it.

I leave you with the best picture I got of the night with Britt Daniels.

Alice in Chains was performing at the Tabernacle on Thursday, February 25, 2010 with a second show the following day. I was excited because a pretty big name was coming in town and I frequent the Tabernacle for reviews now. Well first comes to first, the opener Middle Class Rut. This duo was a good start to the concert, showing immense energy for just a guitar and drummer. Zack Lopez performs on his guitar in front of the huge banner they put up.

Sean Stockham drumming away. The stage was a little cluttered so the images aren’t as nice as I thought they could be.

Another picture of Zack Lopez screaming his heart out.

I thought this was an interesting photo, accenting the drum sticks of Sean Stockham.

And a mandatory photo of the duo.

The long awaited Alice in Chains came to a covered stage, to cause a more dramatic opening.

Jerry Cantrell, the lead guitarist and co vocalist, sings and strums his guitar.

Currently lead singer of Alice in Chains, William DuVall.

And an nice emotional view of bassist Mike Inez

One of my favorite images of the night, except that William DuVall just looks like a floating head and arms.

Cool wide angle shot of William DuVall greeting the fans, and photographers.

The double team of Mike Inez and Jerry Cantrell.

And last, William DuVall cynically looking at Jerry Cantrell as he plays his solo.

The Variety Playhouse is a wonderful venue if you love light shows and music. It is one of my favorite places to take pictures since the lighting is one of the best that I have been to. The first band up was Steel Train, who was the first band opening for Tegan and Sara. I was close to not being able to get into the concert due to a mix up with names so I was only able to photograph this band for a song. First up is Jack Antonoff, the vocalist and guitarist of Steel Train.

Next is Daniel Silbert, who plays guitar and is backup vocals for the group.

Justin Huey on piano and vocals.

Evan Winiker on bass and also backup vocals.

Next, which was my favorite band of the night, is Holly Miranda. I just like it because it resembles the sound of the Stars, which is very vocally driven. Well, meet Holly. I wish I could find more information about the band but this is all I know so far.

And last but not least, the Canadian Indie rock band, Tegan and Sara. Here is a shot of Tegan Quin rocking on her guitar.

And Sara Quin on her own guitar.

And a view of the venue as Tegan and Sara are playing for the audience.

The Tabernacle usually hosts mostly alternative rock bands, but there comes a time when a real gem comes into the venue, and that’s when I discovered B.O.B. aka Bobby Ray. He opened for Goodie Mob, but I was just swept by both his performance and music. It is highly recommended if you really like rap that is really from the heart, somewhat like Lupe Fiasco. Well I can’t really explain much about it, but the lyrics are true to heart, not trash like the top 40 songs you hear on the radio.

And some special appearances to accent his style.

Next, Goodie Mob was on stage, and it was kind of hard for them to follow such a great artist. But I still enjoyed the flashback of this group. Khujo leading the way for the reunion.

Another view of Khujo up close and personal.

Big Gipp rapping his heart out like old times sake.

T Mo with his fur on.

Of course Cee Lo rapping and repping.

Just a close up of T Mo, loved his outfit.

Flogging Molly played at the Tabernacle on February 13, 2010 for the celtic fans of Atlanta. I expected a slightly more intense performance from this punk rock band, and a little more hectic crowd but i can’t complain that much since it was still a good concert. The instrument lineup was great, with an accordion and banjo making an appearance. First up is David King, the lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist getting the audience into their performance.

Dennis Casey, guitarist and vocalist with some flair.

Dennis Casey and Bob Schmidt, banjo and mandolin player, singing the chorus.

Matt Hensley on the accordion.

Nathen Maxwell rocking out on the bass.

Another great picture of Nathen Maxwell singing.

Lead singer David King with an interesting gesture to the fans.

Nathen Maxwell cynical look with his bass.

Bob Schmidt singing and on banjo.

Dennis Casey, the most animate of the group, getting into the music.

George Schwindt on drums.

I love the lighting at this concert, here is another of David King with light matching his celtic hair.

And to finish it off, a close up view of Bob Schmidt on banjo.

I didn’t really know what to expect when I requested Umphrey’s McGee, but I was pleasantly surprised by the performance and music that the band produced. Umphrey’s McGee performed on February 6, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Tabernacle. The live performance was riveting, causing the fans to be swept with euphony. I highly recommend this band for those who listen to smooth grooves and a simple melody. I guess you can say it is Dave Matthews Band material. The show started with Drummer Kris Myers and a back lite silhouette.

Bassist Ryan Stasik

Lead guitarist and vocalist Jake Cinninger and Bassist Ryan Stasik

Lead guitarist and vocalist Jake Cinninger

Bassist Ryan Stasik

Bassist Ryan Stasik

Lead guitarist and vocalist Jake Cinninger

Percussion Andy Farag

Lead guitarist and lead vocalist Brendan Bayliss

Lead guitarist and lead vocalist Brendan Bayliss

Keyboard, piano and vocalist Joel Cummins

Lead guitarist and vocalist Jake Cinninger

Lead guitarist and vocalist Jake Cinninger and Bassist Ryan Stasik