Imagine standing in the heart of an electrifying rock concert, camera in hand, capturing the raw energy of a band you've admired since adolescence. This was our reality last week, when Adam and I had the incredible opportunity to not only witness, but also record a live performance by one of our favorite rock bands, CLUTCH. We were there, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the magic, tasked with the exhilarating job of capturing the first three songs on video. I can’t forget to mention that when Adam and I started dating, I asked him to name the top 5 drummers he felt most influenced him… Jean Paul Gaster was on that list. I knew when First Fleet Concerts added Clutch to available bands to shoot, we HAD to be there!

Now, Adam and I are no strangers to photographing events; it's a task we've undertaken many times. However, this was our maiden voyage into the world of video recording as spectators. Yes, we film weddings and we just took over filming Kansas City Limits but this is different because we’re documenting a performance without any guidance on what to expect, not directing every moment like we normally do. There are no do overs if something goes wrong and we did, in fact, encounter a few hurdles along the way, but ultimately, we came away with a memorable experience and footage that we'll cherish forever.

The evening was a whirlwind of high-decibel music, pulsating lights, and heady excitement. It was also an invaluable learning experience, a chance to step out of our comfort zone and dive into something new and challenging. But let me take you through the night, from the exhilarating start to the triumphant finish.

The Preparation

Our journey began the moment we received the green light from Weathermaker Music, First Fleet Concerts, and McGrath Amphitheater, granting us permission to record the first three songs. We were thrilled, to say the least, and immediately began planning. We knew that this wasn't just about capturing a band on film; this was about encapsulating the essence of CLUTCH, a band we've both admired since our teenage years.

We spent countless hours discussing angles, lighting, and camera and zoom settings, ensuring that every second we filmed would do justice to the band's dynamic performance. We wanted to capture the raw energy of the concert, the incomparable talent of the band, and the powerful, heart-thumping music that is CLUTCH's trademark.

As the day of the concert approached, our excitement was tinged with a bit of nervous anticipation. This was our first time recording artists of this caliber without having an iteniary and we wanted everything to go smoothly. But as the saying goes, "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry."

The Experience

The night of the concert was a sensory overload. The outdoor amphitheatre was alive with the sound of roaring fans, the smell of the river and beer, and the electric anticipation of a crowd ready to rock. As CLUTCH took the stage, the energy skyrocketed and we were right there in the thick of it, we were so close I could have just reached out and touched Neil Fallon when he was at the front of the stage. It was EPIC!

We started recording as the band launched into their first song. It was a surreal experience, being so close to the action, watching through a lens as the band we'd admired for so many years performed right in front of us. The footage we captured during those first three songs was raw, powerful, and incredibly real. (You will find the link to the video at the end of the blog.)

After the initial three songs, we put our cameras away and joined the rest of the crowd in the pit, losing ourselves in the music. Watching the rest of the show from the pit was an entirely different experience. It was raw, immersive, and incredibly freeing. We were no longer just observers; we were teens again, only this time we got to rock out together.

The Aftermath

Post-concert, we were elated and exhausted. We had successfully recorded our first A-List concert, a feat that was both exciting and nerve-wracking. But the best part was yet to come - reviewing the footage. As we played back the video, we were thrilled to see that we had captured the band's electrifying energy. Neil is hands-down one of the best front-men I have ever seen (and that’s saying a lot), Tim brought his A-Game but I wish he’d look up from time to time (wink), Dan brought the bass and Jean-Paul left Adam so inspired he is no the proud owner of a Gretsch USA Custom kit.

Of course, there were a few hiccups - some shaky camera work since we were sharing a very small area with several photographers and we had a few missed moments due to a gimbal malfunction. But these minor blips didn't detract from the overall quality of the footage. Instead, they served as valuable lessons for future projects and reminded us of the thrill and chaos of the live concert experience.

Looking back, we're incredibly proud of what we achieved that night. We stepped out of our comfort zone, took on a new challenge, and came away with a unique record of a night we'll never forget. It was a dream come true to record CLUTCH, a band that's been part of our lives for so long. And we're grateful to Weather Maker Music, First Fleet Concerts, and McGrath Amphitheater for giving us the opportunity to make this dream a reality.

Without further ado… Click play below to view the video we captured together. I edited the visuals and Adam dialed in the audio!

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