Jenna Guffey I started the day by getting ready for an exciting event, gathering all of my gear before heading to the venue. When I arrived, I noticed people trickling in to watch the openers, and the crowd slowly grew as the night went on. I was familiar with only one of the openers but was eager to see the rest of their sets. Having grown up listening to Portugal. The Man, I was especially excited to see them perform. The show was also a fundraising event called “Joey’s Song,” an organization that supports epilepsy research through music.
The first band was a ‘90s rock group from Boston, Massachusetts, Letters to Cleo. I’ve loved this band ever since they appeared in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You, which has been one of my favorite films since childhood. I couldn’t wait to photograph their set. The lead singer walked onto the stage with great energy and a welcoming presence. As the band started their set, everyone on stage was head-banging in sync, feeding off each other’s energy. The chemistry between the band members was electric, and the whole experience felt like being in a ‘90s rom-com movie. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it.
The second act was KennyHoopla, an alternative/indie artist from Cleveland, Ohio. I didn’t know much about him but was excited to see what he was all about. From the moment KennyHoopla hit the stage, he exuded incredible energy. He immediately started jumping around and engaging with the crowd, who responded with equal enthusiasm, dancing and bopping along. I had an absolute blast during his set, and I’ll definitely be adding his music to my playlist moving forward.
The third act was The Nielson Trust, a rock band led by Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick, along with his family. Two of the band members are actually from my hometown of Rockford, IL, which made me appreciate them even more. When they took the stage, they were all smiling and filled with positive energy. As they began playing, they cracked jokes with each other, creating a fun and laid-back atmosphere. Watching them interact and jam together was a real joy, and I loved capturing their performance.
Finally, the main act of the night was Portugal. The Man, a rock band from Wasilla, Alaska. I’ve been a fan of their music since high school, and I was excited to finally see them perform live. As the band entered the stage, the energy in the room skyrocketed, with the crowd buzzing with excitement. The members greeted the crowd with big smiles, and they formed a circle to begin playing. One member was energetically shaking a tambourine, and the entire crowd was dancing along. The positive vibes were contagious, and I had a blast capturing the band’s performance. It was an unforgettable night!
Check out my photos below:
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