Lollapalooza 2008: Day 1

09.23.08 | 12 Comments

The first day of Lollapalooza 2008 kicked off the three-day festival with a powerhouse lineup, including Gogol Bordello, the Raconteurs, the Go! Team, and Cat Power, not to mention heavyweights Radiohead. Here are a few highlights from the day.

Black Lips:

The Go! Team:

Butch Walker:

Duffy:

Cat Power:

Cat Power @ Lollapalooza

The Raconteurs:

Gogol Bordello:

Radiohead:

Radiohead @ Lollapalooza

Photographer’s Notes:

Day one of Lolla was a great experience with a ton of great bands to kick off the festival. While everyone shooting was looking forward to Radiohead, acts like Gogol Bordello and the Go! Team energized photogs in the pit with their high octane performances.

Due to the height of the main stages, I used the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 almost exclusively for those performances. I’d say that a Nikon or Canon 70-200mm lens was among the most popular choices for concert photographers, and with good reason.

If you haven’t already, check out the Lollapalooza 2008 Report and the dedicated set for Radiohead.

The Go! Team @ Lollapalooza

The Black Lips @ Lollapalooza

Butch Walker @ Lollapalooza

Duffy @ Lollapalooza

Cat Power @ Lollapalooza

The Raconteurs @ Lollapalooza

Gogol Bordello @ Lollapalooza

Radiohead @ Lollapalooza

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12 Comments Add your own

1. Keath | September 24th, 2008 at 9:05 am

A good day’s work - the Radiohead shots are awesome but I think my favorites may be the Gogol Bordello ones. Fantastic!
2. In the Coracle » &r&hellip | September 24th, 2008 at 9:10 am

[...] Lollapalooza 2008: Day 1 | ishootshows.com Photos of the first day of the Lollapalooza festival (tags: livemusic photography music) [...]
3. Todd | September 24th, 2008 at 9:21 am

Hey Keath, thanks! The first day was a great experience, and it was particularly fun to see and meet a lot of other photogs shooting the event.

Gogol Bordello was a highlight of the day, I felt robbed only getting three songs. They’re such an electric group live, I’d love to photograph the whole set.
4. Tasha | September 24th, 2008 at 11:57 am

Butch Walker, my hero! :) I love that you totally captured his passion on the second one.

And I love the colors of the light in the Radiohead shots.

Beautiful work, Todd! It was definitely worth the exhaustion I am sure you suffered :)
5. Todd | September 24th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

Hey Tasha, thanks for the feedback! We were actually kicked out of the pit after the second second by an overzealous security supervisor, so we only got to photograph Butch solo. His band rolled on stage for the third song.

Color was in no short supply for Radiohead, it was really a cool setup.

I’m looking forward to next year! Thanks again.
6. Claudia Matteau | September 24th, 2008 at 3:13 pm

Amazing photoshoot Todd. Very impressive as always. I was at the Lolla and this is great memories!
7. Todd | September 24th, 2008 at 5:10 pm

Thanks, Claudia! It was a great festival with ton of photo-worthy talent. After this year’s headliners, I’m curious about who they’ll get next year.
8. album review: black lips:&hellip | October 1st, 2008 at 10:05 am

[...] Deerhunter, King KhanBlack Lips, Deerhunter, King Khan and his Shrines, and Tall Firs @ McCarrenLollapalooza 2008: Black LipsAtlanta Music Guide: Mayor of Ponce- In the studio with the Black LipsBlack Lips - Uploaded by [...]
9. black lips hit the road&hellip | October 1st, 2008 at 10:11 am

[...] Deerhunter, King KhanBlack Lips, Deerhunter, King Khan and his Shrines, and Tall Firs @ McCarrenLollapalooza 2008: Black LipsAtlanta Music Guide: Mayor of Ponce- In the studio with the Black LipsBlack Lips - Uploaded by [...]
10. now playing: black lips @&hellip | October 1st, 2008 at 10:19 am

[...] Deerhunter, King KhanBlack Lips, Deerhunter, King Khan and his Shrines, and Tall Firs @ McCarrenLollapalooza 2008: Black LipsAtlanta Music Guide: Mayor of Ponce- In the studio with the Black LipsBlack Lips - Uploaded by [...]
11. Chris | October 1st, 2008 at 9:45 pm

Sorry I’m way behind on this post! This weekend looks like so much fun — and I bet you got some great shots!

Again, what is up with Jack White wearing make up that makes him look like an undead zombie?

Gorgo Bordello looks so interesting I downloaded one of their albums.. just waiting for it to finish and listen to. Definitely looking forward to following sets!
12. Todd | October 1st, 2008 at 10:02 pm

Gogol Bordello is a trip live. I’d love to photograph them on a stage that wasn’t two stories tall.

Jack White looked the same when I photographed the Raconteurs earlier this year. Even in the daytime (albeit in open shade), he looked a little John Romero.

speak up

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