I Shoot Rockstars: August 2015

Sunday, August 30, 2015

G.Love and Special Sauce

The Casino Ballroom up at Hampton Beach has really outdone themselves this year! I've seen a ton of shows there and they've all been awesome. G.Love and Special sauce was one of them. They were part of that trifecta of musical greatness that I spoke of in a recent post. Enjoy the pics!

Take a peek at my entire album! Click here:

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2015/GLove-and-Special-Sauce-at-The

See you at the show!

-Michelle

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Welcome to the Jungle!!

I traveled to Old Orchard Beach to catch a Guns N Roses tribute-- Welcome to the Jungle! Great band, I had a blast! Here's a few pics for ya...

See you at the show!

-Michelle

JJ Grey and Mofro

JJ Grey and Mofro were up at the Casino Ballroom last week. What and awesome show, here are a few pics for ya..........

To see more great pics of this fantastic show, click here:

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2015/JJ-Grey-and-Mofro-at-The-Casin

See you at the show!!

-Michelle

Friday, August 21, 2015

Big Head Todd and the Monsters

I went to a great show with a great line up last week at the Casino Ballroom in Hampton. Big Head Todd and the Monsters started the evening's trifecta of musical greatness.........

To see the complete album of this fantastic show, click here:

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2015/Big-head-Todd-and-the-Monsters

Stay tuned for G. Love and Special Sauce and JJ Grey and Mofro!

See you at the show!

-Michelle

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Caitlin Canty at Club Passim

Here's another one from the archives. My review of a Caitlin Canty show at Club Passim that I never published here. Enjoy!

Sunday night's journey took me to a tiny little club in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Club Passim is a "down under" artist's venue offering a tiny stage, poor lighting from a photographer's standpoint-- well, anyone's standpoint really-- and elbow to elbow 4-top seating. This was a new venue for me and while I loved the artsy atmosphere of up-and-comings taking to the stage, I was less than satisfied to find that I could barely move in the overcrowded space to get a decent shot of the songbirds upon the stage. Note to self, leave the camera at home. Lessons learned.

My assignment was as it always is. Take photographs of the bands, listen well, enjoy all and write a little something about my experience. While the space was physically limiting and altogether too hot temperature-wise, Caitlin Canty and her band of talented merry men were awesome! With your auditory sense, conjure up a cross between Eva Cassidy, God rest her soul, and Colbie Caillat and there you'll find Caitlin Canty. With long brown locks and a smile like Julia Roberts, Miss Canty is the epitome of the girl next door. Her warm and inviting personality is only surpassed by delicate vocals that soothe the soul.

In her newly released CD, Reckless Skyline, Canty performs a whole host of country'ish-folk-with-a-half-cup-of-blues type songs. All were beautifully done. All were worthy of replay and replay I will because I bought the new CD on my way out the door. I suggest you do the same.

I'm told that Caitlin runs the circuit in New England and that she'll be back at Club Passim in a few months. It's worth the trip but remember, leave your camera at home.

See you at the show!

-Michelle

Jenny Lewis and Kurt Vile at The State Theater

Another one from the archives for you. My review of a Jenny Lewis show from last year that I never published here. Enjoy!

By Michelle Morrissette Cucchiaro

It was Wednesday, June 4th and I'd been asked to cover a show up at the State Theater in Portland, Maine. The State is a great venue. It's not too big and not too small. It's just right.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the evening's events as I wasn't familiar with any of the bands I was about to witness. There were two openers, Steve Gunn and Kurt Vile and the Violators, and the headliner, Jenny Lewis. I arrived early and milled about the crowd to get a feel for the fans. They were youngish, 20-30-somethings. They were artsy types for sure. I imagined that this kind of fan mix was pretty typical for this venue as Portland is draw to those who enjoy the arts-on-the-water environment.

Jenny Lewis is a breath of fresh air. She really has a lovely voice and given the crowd that showed for this gig I'm not the only one who thinks so. Jenny engages her audience. She's warm toward them, she acknowledges them and she shows them appreciation for having come out to see her.

She opened her set at the keys. The stage was dark but for the spot that illuminated her porcelain skin and long red locks. Her voice was sweet and melodic and would prove to be in stark contrast to tunes performed later in the evening. It was a slow build as audience and performer warmed. Jenny switched from keyboard to electric guitar and then the party started! Jenny kicked it into high gear and totally rocked the house! It wasn't a long set, maybe an hour, but what she put out was quality and was met with appreciative cheers from her many adoring fans. All in all a great performance and definitely worth the go-see.

See you at the show!

-Michelle

Foghat at Blue Ocean Music Hall

Here is something from the archives for you. Its my review of a Foghat show from last year. I've never published it here..........

Foghat by the Sea
by Michelle Morrissette Cucchiaro

If your plan is dinner and a show, eat elsewhere and catch the show at Blue Ocean Music Hall. I love Blue Ocean Music Hall for a few different reasons but food offerings just don't make the list. I love the cabaret style seating and the fact that there isn't a bad seat in the house. It's an intimate venue that isn't too big but just big enough. The service and staff are friendly and do a great job. It's easy to get to, there's plenty of parking and it's at the beach! Who doesn't like going to the beach to see a show? Again, as far as the food is concerned go full or go hungry but otherwise you are in for a great night.

The Dan Lawson Band opened for Foghat to a room that was disappointingly only half full. While I wasn't familiar with this band, they gained a new fan with me. I did a little research post-show to find that this bluesy-rock band has been around for a while, plays all over the US and is a frequent flyer at this particular venue. Note to self-- go out of your way to see these guys again. They have a great sound and I'd buy a ticket if they headlined a show for sure. I suggest you do the same. The fact that they opened for Foghat made a great night even better. Two amazingly awesome bands in one night? It doesn't get any better than that.

The room had filled up during the DLB set so when Foghat burst out onto the stage with Road Fever, the room had serious energy and fans were ready to rock. Foghat has been around since the 70's in one form or another and they are no strangers to how to rock a crowd and ensure concert goers have a blast of a time. Labeled a boogie-blues-rock band Foghat hit each of those points hard with a set list that got people singing, swaying and dancing all night long. What an awesome show!

Those who rocked us include founding member and drummer Roger Earl, Craig Macgregor (Foghat since 1975) on bass, Bryan Bassett (Wild Cherry, Lonesome Dave's Foghat, Molly Hatchet, and Foghat since 1999) on guitar, and Charlie Huhn (Ted Nugent, Victory, Humble Pie, Gary Moore, Foghat since 2000). While Foghat has seen members come, go and unfortunately pass away, they are stronger now than ever before with this amazing crew of musicians. They've got great stage presence, they connect with their audience and their sound is as pure as it gets. Rock on guys!!!