October 19, 2008 – Performing on the Rock Band Live tour, pop rockers The Plain White T’s ripped through a tight and ferociously catchy set that that the house on their feet and singing at the top of their lungs.
Led by animated frontman Tom Higgenson, the band performed hits like “Our Time Now,” and “Hate (I Really Don’t LIke You),” and “Hey There Delilah,” which was a Grammy nominee in 2008 for Best Song of the Year.
The Plain White T’s shared the stage on this year’s Rock Band Live tour with Panic At The Disco, Dashboard Confessional, and The Cab.
Photographer’s Notes:
TPWT’s set was a lot of fun to photograph for two main reasons: great lighting and an engaging performance by frontman Tom Higgenson. First, let’s talk about the latter.
From a photographer’s point of view, there’s a fine line between being an energetic showman and being a manic wreck. Higgenson was most certainly the former, with plenty of activity and coverage on stage while still proving perfectly manageable as a subject. Even during only two songs allotted for photography, the singer hit all the rock star moves for a great variety of images while the rest of the band knocked it out.
And what about the lighting? Personally, I thought it was great. In hindsight, I think it might have even been the best of the night for Rock Band Live 2008. There was plenty of drama in big, white backlighting and ample frontlighting on the band, which combined to nice effect. Not bad for the second out of four bands.
Thanks to the lively performance and big stage treatment, I thought the band filled the stage to great effect and seemed right at home in the setting of the arena
17 Comments Add your own
1. Jessie | October 23rd, 2008 at 10:55 pm
The lights are certainly awesome. I’m just wondering, were there more other colours because your set mainly dominated by blue and white lights.
2. Todd | October 23rd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Hi Jessie, thanks for the comment! No, the lighting was pretty much what you see here: white, blue, and a splash of red/orange here and there.
It’s important to note here that we only had two songs for this set (while we got three for Dashboard and Panic), so there wasn’t the same variety of lighting as in the later sets due to the shorter time period.
3. Tasha | October 23rd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
No kidding, best light of the tour. That third shot killer. I’d sell pieces of my soul to get lighting like that :)
And wooo for Chicago boys… although I still think it’s funny that they’re so popular. Tom is such a non-rockstar.
4. Todd | October 23rd, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Hey, Tasha! Thanks for the feedback. The lighting for this set was really pretty great. Lots of dramatic backlighting of the white variety.
Tom sort of reminded me of Alfredo Linguini from the film Ratatouille – only a rock star, if that makes sense. He’s not your cookie cutter pretty boy, but anyone who can thrust a mic into the air with his panache is a star in my book.
5. Christina | October 24th, 2008 at 12:05 am
I love your job. You inspire me :D
6. Todd | October 24th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Thanks for the comment, Christina! I really appreciate it.
7. Tasha | October 24th, 2008 at 9:18 am
I haven’t seen Ratatouille, but looks like I’ll have to now. I haven’t seen them play in years… back when they were nobody…but it looks like they have stepped up their performance. There surely was no mic-thrusting in the past. I’ll have to give them another chance :)
8. Todd | October 24th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Hey Tasha, Ratatouille is a fun movie. Cute, as you’d expect, but I love food, so it wins points with me there, too.
I think you’re right, TPWT have learned a few new moves in the last two years. Definitely check them out if they do a hometown show!
9. Bob - Trainee music Tog | October 24th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Love numbers 3 and 14.
Lot’s of good shots there.
10. Todd | October 24th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Hi Bob, thanks for the picks.
11. Nathan | October 24th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Wow, you’re not kidding when you said that was great lighting. I think this is one of the best sets that I’ve seen on the site Todd, absolutely great work.
I want to be like you when I grow up.
12. Todd | October 24th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Hi Nathan, thank you for the comment, glad to hear you like this set. Yes, the lighting was nice! Even with only two songs, I thought it was great to work with. I especially liked the pure white backlighting, which combined with the smoke for some nice effects.
13. Keith | October 24th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
1 and 3. Thats where its at. I love the bright white!
14. Todd | October 24th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Hey Keith, thanks for the picks. I loved the white light, bands could swim in this day and night as far as I’m concerned.
15. Chris | October 24th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Bahaha I can totally see what you are saying about Alfredo from Ratatouille.
I really like their CD “Every Second Counts.” Listening to it right now, in fact. Very nice melodies and lyrics, a good representation of pop-punk I like, though maybe a little too cliche.
First thing I noticed was the lights.. I looked at 3 and thought it was a mine field and epic lighting proportions. Damn you and your good light. Next time we have terrible light, I get the D3 and you take the D80!
I like 3 [does anyone else think he looks like an old man in this photo?! I just keep seeing an older guy with grey hair.. but I love the pose], 5, 6, 8, and 14. Really like the colour washes in 6 and close up in 8. Nice angle in 14 — I almost picked 13, but after consideration liked the framing and tightness of 14.
Plus this .
16. Todd | October 24th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Thanks for your comment, Chris. It’s always a pleasure working with nice lighting like this. This big, epic lighting was pure photo candy.
17. Dashboard Confessional @ &hellip | October 27th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
[...] it for Rock Band Live 2008. Check out the sets from Panic At The Disco and The Plain White T’s if you haven’t [...]
speak up
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