Top 15 Concert Images from 2011
I make it a priority to go to as many concerts as our lives will allow each year. Other than weddings & engagements, I love nothing more than photographing musicians at their finest moments.
I’ve been meaning to post my top 10 (which turned into 15) shots from 2011 since the new year. Time got away from me in January, but I narrowed down my personal favorites from live shows and festivals in 2011. The choices are a bit Umphrey’s heavy, but hey, so are the concerts we attend.
Leave a comment with your favorite that made it in the top 15. I’ll randomly select two comments and send those people a free 16×24 print of that image. It will make for some cool wall art 😉 The two comments will be picked on Friday at 6pm (EST). I’ve never done a giveaway before, but thought it might be fun… I know how much I enjoy having these photos hang as art in my home!
15.)
Bayliss and Bra Silhouette
7/4 – Boulder, CO
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14.)
Blue Lights
11/25 – Chicago, IL
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13.)
Ben Zito from the Crane Wives
9/8 – Grand Rapids, MI
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12.)
Chicago Mass Choir joins Umphrey’s Mcgee at the Aragon Ballroom
11/26 – Chicago, IL
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11.)
Smiling Trey
6/3 – Clarkston, MI
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10.)
Haji Bayliss
8/20 – Hoxeyville Music Festival – Wellston, MI
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9.)
Rainbow Waful
11/4 – Kalamazoo, MI
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8.)
Fishman framed by his kit
6/3 – Clarkston, MI
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7.)
All Things Ninja
11/25 – Chicago, IL
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6.)
D.J. Willie Bayliss
10/23 – South Bend, IN
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5.)
Fingers
2/4 – Columbus, OH
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4.)
Trey takes the Stage
6/3 – Clarkston, MI
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3.)
Basses and a Keytar
4/2 – UMBowl II – Chicago, IL
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2.)
Red Rocks
7/3 – Morrison, CO
I have this one as 20×30 on my wall… Love the fans’ expressions.
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1.)
The list wouldn’t be complete without some Jaco action
12/30 – St. Louis, MO
Almost didn’t bring my camera to this show… Rookie mistake.
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#3 – Trey is absolutely my favorite – for the sole fact that it was my first Phish show! That’s a great picture. Love all the photography!
All of your photos rock!
Oh man, it’s a toss up between #11 (the date should read 6/3 though- show of the summah!) and #1. My 2 fav guitarists. I think I’m gonna have to go with #1– my good old Michigan boy 🙂 Hi Abby!
Gotta go with #14…love me some light show action!
Great Shots Abby! My favorite is by far Rainbow Waful. Welcome to Waful House, prepare to have you eyes and face melted.
Honorable mention to Big Bottom for UMBowl II, love that song.
They’re all amazing. I gotta go with 5.) Fingers-awesome…
#15 – Want.
As usual, all top notch pictures.
Number 11 is beautiful. Trey’s smile is absolutely contagious!
Sexiest smoky fingers on the planet.
Hey Abby,
Great shots and it’s awesome that you guys can get to so many shows. I especially like the black and white images.
I’d rank my top three as:
“Fingers” (5)
“Ben Zito” (13)
“DJ Willy Bayliss” (6)
Keep up the great work and maybe we’ll see you in Detroit!
Don
Id have to go with #9, I just love how you Waful’s silhouette against such a vibrant moment!! (and I was at that show standing right behind him for half of it) I just love that venue.
Love them all 4 & 9 are my favorites. Great shots.
I like #1 a lot cause it Reminds me of Jake wailing like David Gilmour of Pink Floyd (see my Twiiter aviator for reference 😉 ) And wow can Jake play like the great one! Also like #11 cause it shows Trey alone as if he’s practicing or just giving a teaching lesson how to play. All of them rock Abby! Great shots, truly all of them shine!
#2 and #12 are just incredible. I love seeing how people react to live music and seeing how much fun the Chicago mass Choir is having just gives me goosebumps. Red Rocks in an amazing venue and you can feel the energy by looking at that shot. They are all amazing! Please post more!!
DJ Willie Bayliss would b my favorite if he were Bayloring. Guess he wasn’t looking at Ryan at the time LOL. I would have to go with Fingers and Jaco
Number 9. Number 9. Number 9. Number 9.
#6, work shirt Brandon Baylor. He always goes deep in the work shirts. Work shirt BB solos are the best. It’s just too bad he gets a decent haircut these days, well and that he’s in shape now, too…
Da all good. I dont think that you can take a bad pic. If i had to pick a favorite I guess Number 10. I can hear it as well as see it. Number 7 is also really good. Ryan is feeling it. Thanks for all the pics that you post Ive enjoyed them all.
#2 absolutely took my breath away. That was my 30th UM show and first time at Red Rocks. You’re the best, Abby. I am always checking your sites after great shows hoping you were there to capture it. Your pictures always take me back. Thank you!
All of these shots are so sick. Nice post, Abby! My favorite is either “Blue Lights”, “Rainbow Waful” or “Fingers”
I’ve put a lot of thought into it, and while Waful’s work always provides beautiful subject matter, I really believe that #9 is one of YOUR most beautiful shots: allowing the balcony to frame the scene, capturing Waful’s relaxed and yet masterful silhouette against such an emotional backdrop… Needless to say, I think you really nailed this one. What a fantastic collection of 2011 memories!
Abby,
First off, I love all your pictures and always enjoy reminiscing about the great experiences Umphrey’s and live music in general provide to us! Of your top 15, I have to say that #15 is my favorite. Not only is is a beautiful shot, but it also reminds me of how badass UM fans are! I have met some pretty amazing people through live music and I think UM fans are the BEST. This photo only solidifies everything I love about UM, UM fans and live music. Thanks for doing what you do! \mm/
I like them all…but for me, the “rainbow Waful” is my fave. Loved that show, and the state theater in kalamazoo is so cool architecturaly
Abby,
First and foremost: I can’t wait until I get engaged/married so I can make you take my pictures.
With that being said, #5: Fingers is a breathtaking photo. There is something about the simplicity and contrast that I can’t take my eyes off of. How much do you charge for a print? Because I need this.
#4 – Trey takes the stage! The picture captures Trey in a moment that we’ve ALL seen many many times before. It’s a look we can picture with our eyes closed. If you’ve ever seen Trey live (solo or w/ Phish) you KNOW this look! When Trey walks out on stage, he’s going to look people right in the eye and give them that big ol red-bearded teeth-showing grin. You can’t help but smile right back! Abby, perfect timing on this shot!!