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Photos: Blue October

Photos: Blue October

I had no idea what to expect from Blue October and their performance at the Pageant, but I came away knowing what their die hard fans already knew before the show: These Texans put on one heck of a show.

Photos: Blue October

Photos: Blue October

Photos: Blue October

Photos: Blue October

Photos: Blue October

Photos: Blue October

Photos: Blue October

Photographer’s Notes:

Blue October were awesome to photograph. Frontman Justin Furstenfeld in particular was a fascinating and challenging subject, with tons of movement at the front of the stage.

While Justin’s mic was set back a good 5-6 feet from the edge of the stage and I was initially worried about a static shoot, the singer spent a good deal of the first three songs engaging the fans – not only at the front and center, but going out all the way to the sides as well.

However, for all the great movement and activity Justin had at the front of the stage, the rest of the band hung back. As a result, I focused mainly on the frontman, who was also the best lit out of the group.

Oveall, lighting for Blue October was thick and atmospheric, with several LED arrays on either side of the stage. Another, “unofficial” lightsource for this show was a huge amount of flash from the audience. There was so much flash that it was easy to make several “catchflash” images at the start of the sent when Justin came out to greet the roaring crowd.

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About the author: Todd Owyoung is an internationally published music photographer specializing in concert photography and band portraits. He also grills a mean steak.

Contact Todd for image licensing and assignments wherever the rock show lives. You can also get in touch with Todd via Twitter.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 at 9:20 pm and is filed under Music Photography and tagged with , , , , , , , , , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

21 Responses to “Photos: Blue October”

  1. Janessa says:

    Their entire set was amazing.
    So happy I got to see them :D
    Amazing shots by the way of Justin.

    • Todd says:

      Hi Janessa,

      Thanks for the comment – Justin was a great subject. Super engaging and spent plenty of time at the front of the stage – hard to ask for anything more.

  2. Liz says:

    Oh, I am super jealous. I just saw them in Boston. They DO put on an amazing show. Photographing Blue October would be my idea of bliss. They have an excellent crew, too, obviously, what with the lighting and all. Love it.

    • Todd says:

      Hey Liz,

      Thanks for the comment. I came away really impressed by Blue October’s live show – really good stuff, and the lighting certainly worked with their sound.

  3. Todd Owyoung says:

    Shelltoes, catchflash, & tons of stage-front guitar love. Photos: @BlueOctoberBand http://bit.ly/b2sA1b These guys were a blast.

  4. RT: @toddowyoung: Shelltoes, catchflash, & tons of stage-front guitar love. Photos: @BlueOctoberBand http://bit.ly/b2sA1b

  5. libberding says:

    Love it! Love them! Kinda jealous! RT @toddowyoung Shelltoes, catchflash, & stage-front guitar love: @BlueOctoberBand http://bit.ly/b2sA1b

  6. Kevin deLeon says:

    First shot of the post is amazing Todd. Lighting is awesome in all of the shots. Never seen these guys live because I am not a huge fan of the music. Might have to go check them out next time they come through town.

    • Todd says:

      Hey Kevin,

      Thanks for the comment. The lighting was pretty interesting. Lots and lots of haze pumped out over the stage, which worked beautifully with the lights in the production.

      I can’t say I’ve ever listened to these guys before, but Justin’s performance was pretty engaging – the fans ate it up.

  7. JennM says:

    Amazing pics! I am a huge Blue fan – can I snag a pic or two as long as I keep your tag on it??? or would you rather I didn’t??

    Thnx

  8. 78triple6 says:

    Amazing pictures!!

  9. Amazing pictures from the St. Louis show! http://bit.ly/bXbLGQ

  10. jaevenstar says:

    RT @toddowyoung Photos: Blue October http://bit.ly/b2sA1b

  11. RT @78triple6: Amazing pictures from the St. Louis show! http://bit.ly/bXbLGQ

  12. Nicole M. says:

    Thanks for posting. I've been trying to find more show pics – RT @78triple6 Amazing pictures from the St. Louis show! http://bit.ly/bXbLGQ

  13. Abigail says:

    Beautiful pictures. I think you wonderfully captured the energy that the band delivers and the fan reactions.

  14. sevenbah says:

    wow i just got threw shooting Blue October Wednesday lol yours look better then mine, im on my 4th concert hopefully ill get better, im in midland tx and the stage and lighting isn’t up to par like your shows are, even though some of your shows are still amazing and in small venues, keep up the AMAZING work you and your brother are top 10 in my book. :)

  15. John Taylor says:

    Blue October stopped by radio 104.5 in Philly recently. Check out theses pics and video from their in studio performance it was awsome. http://www.radio1045.com/pages/studio/blue-october.html

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