Similar points of pyro in the show, different days.

Top: 5/27
Bottom: 5/29

Bon Jovi/NMS/5.29.10

Shooting from the mix. As any true concert-goer knows, sitting by the mix is really the only seat in the house.

Front row can kiss my butt. Audibly and visually.

Bon Jovi/NMS/5.29.10

Big Jon to the right, teeny, tiny Jon to the left.

Do you know what Jon Bon Jovi and his crew of merry men love to do?

Make people happy.

I love people who love making people happy.

Because I love making people happy.

NMS/5.29.10

Jon Bon Jovi/NMS/5.29.10

Jon Bon Jovi/NMS/5.29.10

Jon Bon Jovi/NMS/5.29.10

Jon Bon Jovi/NMS/5.29.10

Jon is working for the working man, hurting for the working man, getting his hands in the dirt to work off the curse and brother, he'll be damned if he doesn't raise a hand, he's gonna work, work, work, work, work for the working man.

Where's Christopher Walken's recitation skills when you need them?

Jon Bon Jovi/NMS/5.29.10

Long exposure - Bon Jovi/NMS/5.27.10

This shot and the two below, I have had in my head since I started shooting music years ago. The epitome of stadium shooting, the shots that explain the grandeur of it all.

It was fitting that this was the show where I was able to bring those tiny thoughts of mine to life, because the wonderful fellow I was working for played a major part in creating arena rock. Honestly, there are few people I've worked for that I respect equally or more than Mr. Albert Lawrence.

Now, I've worked for and been around some of the greats in rock, past and present, but Mr. Lawrence provided a particularly fascinating view on the history of his career a.k.a the history of rock concerts, small or large, as he's from across the pond. I've heard many a tale from the American side, but very few from the British side. I would give you a run-down, but it's way more exciting to hear in-person, so for once I will abstain from a lengthy piece on something I love.

Basically, all I can say is that I was happy as a clam for ten days. The greatest week ever.

While music is very different today, there is no doubt that stadium shows are still some of the coolest things out there. I mean, look at it. Look at how many people are there! Every one of those people wanted nothing more than to be at this show, one of the first shows ever at New Meadowlands Stadium. Want proof? Check the price of the worst seat in the house.

Lastly, thank you to the insanely intelligent Mr. Doug Brant for wanting site photos. One of the greatest experiences behind the lens to date.

Bon Jovi/NMS/5.27.10

Where the light ends, the seat kills begin... which means that I am the only one present in that area. It's amazing how quiet it is, given that there is a rock show at full blast in front of me. What I am seeing is so beautiful, I wish I could be there with more than just the occasional lighting technician who comes to check on the spots. Someone who appreciates designing, building, rock'n'roll.

Something from nothing. To create. To watch what you create serve its purpose to the fullest.

Greatest feeling in the world.

Bon Jovi/NMS/5.27.10

Front row and beyond - Bon Jovi/NMS/5.29.10

(L-R) Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi, 80,000 people.

Ta Da! Ladies and Gents, we have a show! Bon Jovi at New Meadowlands Stadium.

First. Shows. Ever.

Hoooooraaay New York Magazine for picking up one of my Patrick Carney (Black Keys) shots from a few weeks ago!

Hooooooraayy Esquire for picking up one of my Dan Auerbach (Black Keys) shots from a few weeks ago!

Apologies for the Blackberry and the skipping of build steps, but sometimes things don't work out as you'd planned. Annd I think the biggest problem here is that the tiny phone lens is smudged. Poor form, Alli, poor form.

Our friend and wonderful co-worker, Mike took a really awesome time-lapse of the build, so hopefully I can get that up here one of these days.

As Jared taught me, using orange gaff tape and multiple exclamation points (note: plural) on signage is really the only effective way to keep people off of your stuff.

Airplane over New Meadowlands Stadium.

Did you know that it is illegal to implode in New Jersey? Who knew?!

Remains of Giants Stadium.

The beginnings of something wonderful. One of my favorite things in the entire world.

Oh hello again! I know it's been a bit, but I finally have a moment to post some content.

My hiatus was due to the Bon Jovi build over at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. For those of you not in the know, this was the first concert build for the brand new stadium, as well as the first major event, aside from a soccer game, that was played here a week or so prior.

Dug up a favorite! Yes, still Dan Auerbach.

I wish I could post photos of last night's Pearl Jam show at the Garden, buuuut I would have missed the first three songs anyway after an epic run to get to Manhattan from New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey. Oh. That and I surprisingly didn't have the baby coming from the Bon Jovi build.

Since I keep finding images I like, I'm going to continue to post!

Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys performs at the Classic Car Club in Tribeca on 5.15.10.

My very, very happy friends at the Black Keys' secret show at the Classic Car Club in Tribeca on 5.15.10.

(L-R) John McClellan, Sean Tant, Mike Curran.

You can indeed find these crazy kids on gettyimages.com.

Patrick Carney of the Black Keys performs at the Classic Car Club in Tribeca on 5.15.10.

Patrick Carney of the Black Keys performs at the Classic Car Club in Tribeca on 5.15.10.

Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys performs at the Classic Car Club in Tribeca on 5.15.10.

Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.

Again, I lied. No photos due to an eclectic bunch of alternate lifestyles gathering in one perfect place last night post-Swell-Season-load-out.

Let me explain in brevity:

1. first Primantis of the year. 7:30
2. one-truck load-out. piece of cake. 12:00
3. visit to the shadow lounge and its sage with the best hang-out crew ever assembled. 12:30
4. depart shadow lounge on foot (J. Bilec saves the day) for chocolate-chip pancakes. 5:40
5. zeppelin chat while walking 1/2 a mile from diner back to car. 6:45
6. arrive at hotel. 7:00
7. sleep.
8. depart for aeropuerto. 11:00

Black Keys to continue tomorrow, but to tide you AND me over until then... holy crap, I love this magazine:

http://www.esquire.com/the-side/music/black-keys-interview-051710

Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys performs at the Classic Car Club in Tribeca on 5.15.10.

Mid-May = beginning of summer concert season = zero sleep = adventures = too much content, too little time = more photos to come tomorrow.

Heeeyyyyyyyo.

Black Eyed Peas' February load-in at the Garden. Shoddy cell phone work, but I hope one day to make this a real project and not just an on-the-go endeavor.

The top photo is my Blackberry wallpaper... and of course I absolutely wish all of these had been taken with the baby.

BEP aftermath at the Garden.

I've seen many a dance photograph in my time, but this one... this one stopped me in my tracks. I have absolutely no idea who took this photograph or who the subjects are, but it's one of the best tango shots I've ever seen. Amazing lines. Amazing frame. Amazing contrast.

Lines: All vertical, save one. Their faces, their lips sit at a perfect vertical 180° above one another, the angle of her leg at 45° of the bottom right corner.

Frame: Shooting slightly to the right of the subjects, the photographer emphasizes the sheer importance of the vertical. Though her leg extends to the right, the energy is not away, but inward and upward. Her body may be bent, but she reaches up. The only piece in the photo not moving either in or up are her locks of hair and drape of her dress.

Contrast: His shadowed face, her pale skin, the white leather of his shoe, her stockinged leg. Remove the hat, remove the suspenders, remove the long hair and you have a totally different photograph.

While obviously in a studio, the two in the photo show the beauty of this art form in a fascinatingly pedestrian way. Chances are neither have been through the rigors of classical ballet, but grew to understand and work their bodies on their own, to a point where movement and eye contact are the only necessary communication devices. Every bone, every muscle is engaged in that one second of that one motion - appearing passionate and almost delicate, however requiring the utmost strength and control.

Happy Mother's Day from Justin, Luke, Joe... and me!

Thank God when my creative process stalls, my friends are right there to pick up the slack.

Thank you to Mr. McClellan, Mr. Herman, Mr. Buck and Mr. Hicks for providing content over the past few days.

And of course, a bear hug and a giant thank you to Linda, Sue, and generations of moms prior, for making this blog (and me!) possible.

Keep 'em coming, Dude!

5.8-10.10 from John F. McClellan on Vimeo.

McClellan's wakesurfing teaser, take two. Check it out.

Best Paragraph in One of Last Month's Books

"He closed his eyes for a moment, and nodded in confirmation of his own suspicions. "Sit down," he said, and proceeded to explain to her in a fatherly fashion about the savagery of intellectual dispute in a city where many held the intellect above nature. "Most people," he told her, "arrive at tortured conclusions via blind and painful routes. They don't like it when someone like you shows up in a balloon. You can't expect anyone to trust revelation if he hasn't experienced it himself. Those who haven't, know only reason. And since revelation is a thing apart, and cannot be accounted for reasonably, they will never believe you. This is the great division of the world, and always has been. When reason and revelation run together, why, then you have something, a great age. But, in the city, now, reason is predominant. To argue from any other point of view or by any other means, as you do, is subversive. You will be attacked. Perhaps if we run your pieces in the religion department, alongside the sermon summaries, they won't create so much controversy..."

-Winter's Tale, Mark Helprin, p. 433-434

Oh My Science!

And so John F. McClellan begins to make the first full-length wakesurfing film ever. Here's the teaser, shot last weekend...

5.1-2.10 from John F. McClellan on Vimeo.

This is going to be pretty rad.

Constantine Maroulis peforms at the MillionTreesNYC Arbor Day Planting And Celebration on Friday, April 30th in Brooklyn, New York.

(L-R) Constantine Maroulis, Diana DeGarmo and Bette Midler plant a tree at the MillionTreesNYC Arbor Day Planting And Celebration on Friday, April 30th in Brooklyn, New York.

You have no idea how bad I'd like to add speech bubbles to this photo. No idea.

Bette Midler's place card. Yes, I'm a nerd.