Recipes Used:
This is a somewhat landmark post in this site dedicated to my Photography journey…
Whilst the previous post was a first in a lot of ways, this was a first in a way I want to do as much as possible. The deeper you go into my journey, the notable trend you'll see is how every other post is me covering a concert I'm hitting.
This one is different from all the rest, because this is the first show where I got a Photo Pass for it.
And it couldn't have been at a more fitting venue! Lafayette: one of my blacklisted venues because they don't allow cameras in unless you have a pass. I love the venue personally, but when they forced me to put my camera in the cloakroom for Che Lingo, it pissed me off.
But now I'm here – with a pass – to take photos of IYAMAH, one of my favourite discoveries in recent years. Her album "In Two Worlds" came out earlier in the year and the tour came soon after.
So that's the scene set: IYAMAH @ Lafayette. But before we get to her, we of course have some support acts to capture…
There’s only one issue…
I CAN’T FIND THIS WOMAN’S NAME!
I’ve searched far and wide and I legit cannot get a name.
Yes, I should’ve taken a picture of the set times, mea culpa.
But I want to give the artist a shout so as soon as I find her name, I’ll re-write this entire section.
The photos themselves were great. As you can imagine with a support act, the crowd was sparse so it gave me opportunity to find good angles. The light pinging off her guitar is to die for.
Her music was solid as well, which makes not knowing her name more painful because I genuinely enjoyed it. At least the photos do her justice.
Keep
Vibes
Near
KeepVibesNear (Or KVN as I call him) is an artist I discovered for myself after spinning The Silhouette’s Project’s 2nd self-titled album. I liked his performance on that particular record but wasn’t into his solo work.
Live however was a different story…
The lighting was so intense at points. They had three light bars located below the artists, so stand in the middle or even stand right over them as KVN did often, provides interesting results. Although I did feel the need to mute the blues especially for some photos.
Quick question, don’t think to hard about it.
Below is the same photo. D’you prefer Black & White or colour?
Think I lean towards the B&W. The shadows work nice; but I also like the burnt orange, a colour you’ll see again as we go deeper…
Anyways! Time for the main event with a Photo Pass worthy 64 images of the headliner…
IYAMAH
This is the 2nd time IYAMAH has appeared on my journey (Peep the first here) and I wouldn't mind a 3rd because as a live act, she puts in the effort.
I love her music in general but there's something about her when she's live. She really flexes the voice more than she does on wax.
As I try to do now before we jump in, a salute to the band behind her:
We begin with her entry, the lights bright and inviting.
Instantly I knew the silver fit would bounce the colours off something fierce.
And I was immediately vindicated once she went into her song “Green Grass”. Guess the colour…
Some of those green photos are my favourites of the whole set. (That smile from the side…) I adored the shade of green.
I do go back and forth between colour and Black & White throughout the show, but for the set I’ll clump all the B&W.
But let’s stick with the colour for now; something more neutral this time…
I don’t have to tell you she belts notes out, just look at the variety in body language. She rises to the occasion every time.
The next colour was purple…
Again the silver comes in clutch.
There’s one last colour mini-set but I promised a bunch of B&W so here’s this pack of bangers…
Who would’ve thought the silver would also work in monochrome! I couldn’t have called it!
We finish on some burnt orange which was right on me so you know I go some great depth in these ones…
That final photo was the last photo I took of that night which is a rare one!
Overall I am very happy with what I got. I shouldn’t need a pass to take pictures in Lafayette (or any show that isn’t an arena) but when it is possible, some great shots come out of them.
IYAMAH is a joy to take pictures of, one of my favourite artists to capture so far in my journey.
What’s the next pass I get?
Just have to wait & find out…
Charlie Taylor
chillicharlie.taylor@gmail.com
Born in Camden, North London.
Bred in Leigh-On-Sea, Essex.
Screenwriter/Podcaster/Photographer/
Hip-Hop Student.