Recipes Used:
A month ago, I was handed a delayed train that killed my 1st chance at taking Green Room shots before a show. I didn’t think that so soon after, I would get the opportunity.
Last year I was locked in on covering California-based singer-songwriter Raquel Rodriguez. I relish looking forward to every show, but when I got an E-Mail closer to the day, I was asked to do Green Room photos and cover the evening like I’ve never done before.
For concerts, I typically focus on the artist, get what I can and go home. But here I went behind the Hall itself for access to a historic venue.
On top of that, I covered the first batch of people that arrived right on the doors, something I’ve only done maybe in the first few shows I went to by myself back in Southampton. It’s nice to see people really wanting to be there and be there early. To get merch locked in beforehand and really soak up the entire experience…
After being there for a few hours at this point, we eventually got to the performances, beginning with upcoming Funk/Soul artist Harry Linacre, featuring none other but rapper Jords!
And then came the main event. With such extensive coverage, it would only be right that I’d cover every member of said main event.
And there’s only one place to begin…
Raquel
Rodriguez
1. Singer/Songwriter
2. A True Independent
I met Raquel in the Production Room out back. Dressed as comfortably as one can, she immediately came off as an authentic, visibly on charge, delaying ramping up for the performance until the last possible second.
She made her requests for getting photos of people coming in and to also be on the lookout for her parents, her mother of which I would clock immediately because – to paraphrase – “we look alike”.
The photo of her parents will come. But before that, we have a show to get to and a band behind Raquel to highlight. So let’s meet them.
Sam
Brawner
1. Manager
2. Drummer
3. Producer
& a bunch more.
The first I met at the door, Sam wears many hats. It wasn’t until I got to the Green Room that I realised he was the Drummer! Solid guy from the US State of Wisconsin and a decent Drummer to boot.
Jay Winfield
1. Keyboardist
2. Owner of too many
Keyboards!
The most relaxed demeanour of the group, it completely disarmed me when I asked him if he wanted some shots before the show, he went ahead and posed like that above!
Shit made me laugh in the moment to the point where I couldn’t keep my lens focused. But hey, it fits with the moment.
Nick Campbell
1. Bass Player
2. Knows what
"Earthbound" is.
If you go back to the picture of Sam & Raquel, you notice that Raquel starts laughing as I’m shooting. That’s because Nick – Bass player – said “Say, Fuzzy Pickles!” which for those that are unaware, is a reference to a hidden gem in gaming history, Nintendo’s “Earthbound”.
It’s rare you find a knower of “Earthbound” in the wild but here we are!
John Schroeder
1. Guitarist
2. The final piece.
Last for me to meet was John Schroeder who I gathered from his IG that he’s a future father! Congratulations.
And we circle back to Ms Rodriguez, getting ready with her band in tow, minutes before they go on.
And we complete the set with the stage presence of Raquel Rodriguez…
But wait! I forgot about the parents!
Luckily, as the show ended as swiftly as it begun, a few people hanged back to meet the parents to give praise to their daughter and get a picture with them, capping off their night.
I thought I should do the same, along with a couple photos of father Fernando dancing to his daughter’s music.
And just like that, my most comprehensive coverage for a show ended. It was a very quality show with a very intimate crowd. A woman stopped me near the end to ask me if I could grab one of the set lists. Said that she’s had Raquel as her favourite artist on Spotify two years in a row.
And that really brought home how there are people that still respect the music and respect the artist. I can be very cynical when it comes to the current state of music right now. But this whole evening reaffirmed why I love all of it, even if I don’t indulge in every aspect of it.
Maybe I should in the future…
Thanks to Raquel, Sam & promoter Simon, the latter of which was my first responder. This was one of my best nights as a Photographer and all I want to do now is to replicate it over and over again…
Charlie Taylor
chillicharlie.taylor@gmail.com
Born in Camden, North London.
Bred in Leigh-On-Sea, Essex.
Screenwriter/Podcaster/Photographer/
Hip-Hop Student.