For those of you who think that being a rock and roll photographer is "glamorous," let me tell you a little story...a story about the Mad Sin show. Not that it was that much different than any other, but somewhat more... intense. And lengthier.
We had a lineup of what, about 8 bands? Now, this is a small venue, and they did set up a barrier because it was an all ages show, and they needed the barrier for the bands to have beer on stage. The width of the distance between said barrier and the stage was about, oh, foot and a half...two feet, tops. Those who know me know I'm kind of a big gal. Of course, I could stretch a bit between sets, but I spent the better part of 6 or 7 hours crammed in that space, sitting on the floor so as not to block fans' view as the stage is really only a slightly raised platform. If I put my feet under the rails, they got trampled, so I was sort of twisted up like a pretzel trying to shoot, or on my knees. (This is why I now own a pair of kneepads.)
Also remember we are talking about Phoenix. And a whole lotta people packed in a tiny bar. It was HOT. I was sweating so much, that it was rolling down my back most of the show. I ended up getting so dehydrated, that the next day I felt like I had a hangover, but without the benefit and fun of getting drunk.
On top of the that, the always rowdy Phoenix crowd was in rare form for Mad Sin, and the whole damn venue was the "pit." When I'm shooting, I get into a sort of weird, zen-like state, and was only vaguely aware of getting kicked and a few people kind of...falling on my head. But apparently it looked a lot worse to some of the fans. A few people I know were like, "Di! You're fucking amazing! People are falling on you, and you just brush them off and keep shooting!"
So I'm down in front, sweating like a pig, getting kicked in the head, and then the band decides to throw confetti glitter. Please note: Glitter really sticks to sweaty bodies. Someone told me afterward I looked like I had been to a David Bowie concert, but I think the people at the Jack in the Box drive-thru afterward really enjoyed my new look. Think a big vanilla ice cream cone with multicolored sprinkles. A big wilted one, after sweating for about 6 hours.
BTW...colored glitter stains you skin. Bad.
And oh yes, my knees hurt afterward for a week.
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