Rock icons Foreigner perform at Atlanta’s Wild Bill’s in support of their 2009 release “Can’t Stop Rocking” delivering a set of classic hits to the capacity crowd.
Led by founding member and lead guitarist Mick Jones, the band now features 80’s standouts Kelly Hasen (Hurricane) on lead vocals and Jeff Pilson (Dokken/Steel Dragon) on bass complimented by accomplished musicians Brian Tichy (drums), Thom Gimbel (guitar/sax), and Michael Bluestein (keyboards) deliver the soulful ballads and soaring anthem that solidified the bands status in the classic rock genre. The performance was delivered with youthful energy and experienced execution that consistently draws packed houses and retains contemporary popularity of the band.
In photography notes, Wild Bill’s has become my favorite venue to shoot in. Lighting is generally exceptional with near perfectly contrasted front to back lighting in colorful hues coupled with liberal use of follow spots. Stage height is about perfect falling at chest level. The pit was not enforced this evening so I packed it in with fans stage left and in front of Mick Jones for 3 songs. At the end of 3, I made my way stage right around the back of the venue grabbing a few full stage shots and spent 1/4 of a song stage right outside of the pit before packing in the gear and enjoying the remainder of the show as a fan. A single Nikon D700 fit the bill nicely with the 24-70 2.8 used exclusively for stage front shooting while the 70-200 2.8 grabbed a few long full stage and stage right shots. Special thanks to Mike West of Wild Bill’s for letting me hang out and enjoy the entire show.
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Hey Allen,
I’ve been waiting to see your Foreigner shots and I have say you did an exceptional job! Definitely my favorite Kelly Hansen I’ve seen!!!
Hope things are well.
Mark
RockEyez.com
Thanks Mark! It was tough shooting fixed with the diehard fans, though I think the crowd ambiance actually adds to some of the shots…plus I made some new friends! Kelly Hansen rules! Now if we could pull the Hurricane guys back together for a few shows!
Love the crowd ambiance in some shots. Nothing like hands reaching up, etc. to add to the mood of the shot. A Hurricane reunion for something like Rocklahoma would be cool!
[...] Foreigner review and photos by Allen Ross Thomas of Artist Exposure [...]