Nena

Nena on stage at Hallenstadion Zurich

Nena performs during her concert at Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland

Pop singer Nena interacts with fans during her concert at Hallenstadion Zurich

The Cranberries

Singer Dolores O'Riordan performs live

Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries during the band's live concert in Zurich

The Cranberries perform a concert at Hallenstadion Zurich

The Cranberries' live show at Hallenstadion in Zurich

Depeche Mode

In a series of crazy concerts here in Zurich this fall (Pink, The Prodigy, Amon Amarth, Skunk Anansie, Green Day, ...), Depeche Mode had the honor of being the headliner (that's what the last band on the bill is, right?).

Veteran band Depeche Mode play a live show in Zurich

Or rather, I had the honor of shooting them. As I'd mentioned in my post about my trip to shoot Lita Ford in Germany, a lot of bands from the times of good music are coming back these days to kick some a** and show today's youth why their big brothers and sisters (or rather, moms and dads) are so crazy about music.

Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode at Hallenstadion Zurich

Depeche Mode is a big name and it seems that the vampires I'm talking about in that Lita Ford post really are making it out when they hear of good music: Hallenstadion was filled all the way up under the roof with people (dead or undead - I couldn't tell from the pit ;-) , and they've got another sold-out show today.

Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan live (and on the monitor)

In the usual pre-shooting briefing given by the promoter promised an asymmetrical stage - with an ego ramp almost all the way to the right, and all of the band, including Dave Gahan, to the left. They also warned us about a camera moving back and forth on the left hand side, but as all the band was supposedly over there, all 14 (!) photogs squeezed in on that side of the ramp.

Depeche Mode playing a live concert

Tiptoeing around the camera (thanx to the two roadies operating it - I got a photo of each of you if you read this - you guys were super cooperative with us annoying bunch :-), we got to shoot 4 full songs in good light.

Depeche Mode

Was a great show, and also a worthy dernière for my Canon 20D. It was my first SLR, and I learned almost anything I know about photography with it. It has served me well, but now it's time to give way to the younger generation. I've already sold the lens, the body's still up for sale - and money from that goes to the fund for a Nikon D700 to replace it.

Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode

On a personal note: After all this crazyness with one show after the other, I'm now taking a pre-solstice-festivities vacation, and I'm gonna be off the radar for a while. May the metaconcept of your choice have the desired influence on you, and happy holidays!

Logo for Depeche Mode's tour - interesting shape for a "D" :)

The Prodigy

Strobes! Backlight! Quickly changing light! Singers that hop around on stage like the Energizer bunny!

The Prodigy during their concert at Hallenstadion Zurich

Half of all speakers available in the whole city! Boom! Thankful for my earplugs.

The Prodigy

Awesome sound! Nonstop action! Crazy audience! Painted ants all over the stage!

The Prodigy

Aka: I went to shoot The Prodigy at Hallenstadion ;-) Check out my (and the users') photos in the article on 20 Minuten Online.

Backstreet Boys

The Backstreet Boys singing live during a concert in Zurich, Switzerland

Diversity in everything! I love rock and punk and metal, but I've also covered some jazz and swing bands in the past. Each genre attracts a certain audience, and last night's as a bit different than the usual male-dominated metal crowd.

The Backstreet Boys at Hallenstadion in Zurich

The Backstreet Boys were back at Hallenstadion, and I went to shoot them. Was curious what it was about them that made thousands of girls screaming their lungs out :-)

The Backstreet Boys

Ok, they've grown older, but they sure still can dance. Can't tell about the singing, I figure with all the dancing that was playback.

The Backstreet Boys are back in Switzerland

But you can't go wrong opening a show with "Everybody"... was a lot of fun! But still - I guess I'll be back shooting ROCK after this brief stint in the cotton candy section ;-)

The Backstreet Boys starting their live performance in Zurich

Green Day

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day live at Hallenstadion Zurich

Green Day's mascot, the pink bunny, entertains fans before the concert

Drunken pink rabbits are a good start, no matter what.

Green Day during their live concert in Zurich, Switzerland

Green Day are awesome, no matter what.

Billie Joe Armstrong plays a rock concert in Zurich

Both together make for a friggin' awesome night! 'nuff said :-)

Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong's guitar

PS: Story in 20 Minuten Online

Anastacia

Pop singer Anastacia performs a live concert

In my post on Anthrax I was writing about how small the pit for us photogs was, and how we almost had to sit on our behind on the floor not to knock over the musicians with our lenses. I was praying for a wider angle lens back then.

Anastacia sings live at Hallenstadion Zurich

That was definitely not the problem with Anastacia's show: They didn't let us in the pit, but only to the FOH. The confirmation from the promoter just stated that we should bring "appropriately long" lenses.

Anastacia's stage during her performance at Hallenstadion Zurich

The photog from Keystone took them by their word and showed up with a $16.000 600mm lens with two teleconverters. The stage definitely was lit beautifully bright enough to allow for such light-hungry glass, but also my wallet definitely is beautifully light enough to not allow such $$-hungry glass. I also would wonder how I would transport such a thing on my bicycle - attach wheels and drag it behind me maybe? Ok, gadgegt envy, I admit it :D

Singer Anastacia dances with her fans during her performance at Hallenstadion Zurich

I had rightly assumed that my 24-70mm wouldn't be of much help, so I'd only brought the 70-200mm and a friend's 200-400mm. That gave me the opportunity to shoot Anastacia, her band, and her stage. Lots of light, Anastacia in white, lit from the front, beautiful colors - I guess I wouldn't even have found it half as beautiful if I'd shot the show from the pit. Great show!

Stage setup for Anastacia's live show at Hallenstadion

PS: Copyright for all the pictures in this post is owned by lautundspitz.ch, who also organized my photo pass.