Monday, October 28, 2019

Aftershock 2019: Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson, Aftershock 2019, Sacramento California
When you go to see, and especially when you photograph, Marilyn Manson, people always ask: did he show his naked (body part)? Did he do (something shocking)? Did he burn (something flammable and offensive-to-some-when-burned). And what did he throw at you this time?

Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson, Aftershock 2019
The answers from Aftershock 2019 are: Yes, Possibly, Probably, and No.

Yes, because Marilyn Manson did show part of himself naked (and appeared to be fumbling with other bits), but not during the first song so I have no photographic proof though I swear it is true; Possibly, because other than the answer to question one, nothing that I personally witnessed; Probably, because I was told that he did over and over again by a woman who was screeching at the big screen in the VIP area telling us all that Manson is Satan - he Burns the Bible (though I have no primary research to prove that satan actually does that); and surprisingly, Nothing, because this time he threw nothing at all at the folks in the pit! This time there were no missiles, he faced the audience for the entire first song, and - nice surprise - even smiled.

Dressed in black with makeup reminiscent of Joker on a bad day, shrouded in smoke, as always a wonderful challenge to photograph and capture the person, the band, the atmosphere.

Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson, Aftershock 2019
I think Marilyn was really enjoying himself -- and anyone who worries about the "shocking" or "offensive" stuff - as if anyone still does - should really remember that he's much more a performer than an incarnation of the devil. (At least, that's what I choose to believe!)

Paul Wiley, guitar, Marilyn Manson
Paul Wiley, Marilyn Manson, Aftershock 2019
Setlist for Marilyn Mansons' performance at Aftershock 2019 can be see here.

Marilyn Manson is currently on tour with a few more dates left - including Hallowe'en in Las Vegas!

Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson at Aftershock 2019
Photo gallery with many more photos from Aftershock 2019 in Sacramento, California: click here.

Previous show photo galleries: click here!

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Aftershock 2019: Korn

Korn
Korn, Aftershock 2019
There was something magical about seeing Korn from within a huge crowd in Northern California, at Aftershock festival 2019 - locals, and people from all around the state, country, and world: to be amidst a mass of fans, dancing, singing along, headbanging. Being part of a twenty-five year celebration of Korn's music; more a retrospective of those years and not, as we might have expected, the tour-of-the-new-album The Nothing - indeed, they played just one song from the latest release, "You'll Never Find Me" - but rather the show was a happiness of friendship and fellowship and following of this band, a family of tens of thousands, all in Discovery Park Sacramento, watching the guys from Bakersfield, just down the road from Sacramento.

Jonathan Davis, vocals, Korn
Jonathan Davis, Korn, Aftershock 2019
That's an assessment of proximity in USA terms. It's around four hours drive from the state capital to Korn's hometown down highway 99, down through the Central Valley: almost an identical distance as from London to Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the UK. I will happily drive that kind of distance to see them, again and again. I'll even get on a plane and fly halfway around the world, for that matter. There's only a few bands that generate that kind of loyalty.

Korn
Korn, Aftershock 2019, Sacramento California USA
Sacramento embraces this band like a homecoming, and it's the third time they have appeared at Aftershock festival - and Jonathan Davis brought his solo show last year, too.

You can find the Korn at Aftershock 2019 setlist here, on setlist.fm. Songs from all the way through their musical career, from Korn released in 1994 right through to Rotting In Vain from 2016's Serenitiy of Suffering and the latest album.

It was a joyful - yes, I use that word in the same sentence as "Korn" - it was a joyful performance. It made me happy. I think, at the end, I was crying. It was huge and it left many, many happy people.

Jonathan Davis, vocals, Korn
Jonathan Davis, Korn, Aftershock 2019
The Nothing - such an excellent, moving, emotional, painful and yet beautiful album - absolutely deserves its own tour, if you listen to it purely for the musical value. If you know - to any degree - the story and motivation and trauma that gave birth to the lyrics, you might also expect it to be an album where a song is played here, there, not everywhere, not every show. It's musical genius and it's heartbreak and it's my favourite album of 2019 to date. And yes, there is a lot of competition.

James
Munky, Korn, Aftershock 2019
Korn have a full set of international festival appearances planned for next year, including Download in the UK. Be there!

Many more photos here in the Korn at Aftershock 2019 photo gallery.

Check out photos from previous shows here, and reviews here on Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos.

Jonathan Davis, vocals, Korn
Jonathan Davis, Korn, Aftershock 2019

Aftershock 2019: Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie
Rob Zombie, Aftershock 2019
On the Kolas Discovery Stage, Saturday of Aftershock festival in Sacramento 2019: Rob Zombie!!!

Rob Zombie
Rob Zombie and John 5, Aftershock 2019, Sacramento, California
Always one of my favourite performers to photograph, because his show is so darn challenging. Intense lighting, smoke, rapid movement, and whirling beard, locks, fringes. Zombie's eagle eyes, John 5's illuminated grill, and such a fun stage presence for the entire set.

Rob Zombie
Rob Zombie, green incarnation: Aftershock 2019
The setlist for Rob Zombie at Aftershock 2019 can be found here on setlist.fm.

Rob Zombie
Rob Zombie, in red, Afteshock 2019

Catch Rob Zombie next in Mexico, at Knotfest meets Forcefest, with Slipknot in Mexico City.

Many more photos in the Rob Zombie at Aftershock 2019 photo gallery

Also see all Zombie photo galleries here, and previous reviews here and here.

Rob Zombie
Rob Zombie, Aftershock 2019

Monday, October 21, 2019

Aftershock 2019: Lamb Of God

Randy Blythe, vocals, Lamb Of God
Randy Blythe, Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019
"This is where shit gets real", said one of my colleagues in the photo pit, at 6.18 pm on Friday, 11th October, "Oh yes... this is where it gets real."

Mark Morton, guitar, Lamb Of God
Mark Morton, Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019
Friday, the first day of this year's Aftershock festival. And he was right: there had already been many excellent performances by really good bands including the Dropkick Murphys, Halestorm, I Prevail, Clutch: Phil Anselmo and the Illegals had roused and stirred up a crowdstorm, but... at 6.20 pm Lamb of God walked onto the Monster stage, and the real party was on.

John Campbell, bass, Lamb Of God
John Campbell, Lamb Of God

Willie Adler, guitar, Lamb Of God
Willie Adler, Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019
Regardless of your taste in music, or preference in theatre, or art or design or architecture or even cuisine, there's something tangible, something irresistible, something immediately recognisable about performers that exude that higher-level "something": who bring that inexplicable extra dose of magic, a level above the rest. Lamb Of God did just that: it did, indeed, get very, very real. Someone turned up the volume; someone increased the speed; someone made the focus blinding, razor-sharp, like a samurai blade dripping water from Randy Blythe's upturned water bottle as he rushed the stage, strapped up knees be damned.

Lamb Of God
Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019
OK it wasn't quite a spiritual experience, but it wasn't far off: it was Lamb Of God, on stage, on target, and on fire.

Lamb of God have a tour of Europe (including five dates in the UK) planned for early next year. You might just find me there. #newfan

Randy Blythe, vocals, Lamb Of God
Randy Blythe, Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019
Many more photos in our Aftershock gallery for Lamb Of God - click here.

More reviews and photos from Aftershock 2019: Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos and Alison Toon Photographer music galleries.

Randy Blythe, vocals, Lamb Of God
Randy Blythe, Lamb of God

Aftershock 2019: Ho99o9

Ho99o9
Ho99o9 at Aftershock 2019
Extreme energy on the Coors Capital stage at Aftershock 2019: Ho99o9!

Ho99o9
Ho99o9, Aftershock 2019
From the first seconds of the show when Eaddy launched himself into the audience it was obvious that this was going to be an interesting, intense performance. Hip hop? Punk? Rock? Musical Art? However you want to categorise Ho99o9's style, it's entrancing... a bit like watching a delicately-crafted train wreck or a beautiful demolition. I don't admit to understanding the lyrics, yet, but I'll certainly be back for more! Great show!

Ho99o9
Ho99o9, Aftershock 2019
(If you're a fan of Fever 333 or Death Grips, be sure to check out Ho99o9.)

Ho99o9
Ho99o9 at Aftershock 2019


Many more photos in our Aftershock gallery for Ho99o9 - click here.

More reviews and photos from Aftershock 2019: Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos and Alison Toon Photographer music galleries.

Aftershock 2019: The Hu

The Hu
The Hu, Aftershock 2019
Perhaps the most unusual - and global - performance at Aftershock festival in Sacramento, California, this year happened on the smaller Coors Capital stage, by a band from Mongolia. The Hu combine traditional folk instruments such as the morin khuur, flute and tsuur and Mongolian vocal style ("throat singing") with heavy metal.

The Hu
The Hu, Aftershock 2019, Sacramento California
Currently on tour in the USA - including another date in Sacramento, at Holy Diver, on November 30th (if you had instead headed to another stage at Aftershock and missed the set, this is a new opportunity - grab it!!!). The tour is extensive, with dates around the USA: see if you can catch a show, you will not be disappointed.

The Hu
The Hu, Aftershock 2019
The Hu released their first album, The Gereg, in September 2019, and it's available through your usual channels. If you have not yet heard them, check out the official video for Wolf Totem below and Yuve Yuve Yu too!


Many more photos in our Aftershock gallery for The Hu - click here.

More reviews and photos from Aftershock 2019: Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos and Alison Toon Photographer music galleries.

Friday, October 18, 2019

People of Aftershock 2019 - you can be proud!

People of Aftershock
Just a few of the 97,500 People of Aftershock 2019
People of Aftershock, you did it again. But this year, not only were you doing your thing for three days, not one or two as in previous years, yes Three Whole Wonderful Aftershock days in Sacramento's Discovery Park, but also you grew and grew and grew until there were 97,500 of you in attendance - a sold out weekend and the biggest so far in the history of the event. To think: it all began with a one-day festival in 2012. There are seven-year-old kids that have grown up in Aftershock.

People of Aftershock
Crowdsurfers and catchers, Monster Energy Stage, Aftershock 2019
As has become a Toon's Tunes tradition, before talking about the individual performances - and there were very-many, more than 50 bands, and there will be very-many photos of them coming soon - let's celebrate YOU, the People of Aftershock.

People of Aftershock
At the barrier, Kolas Discovery Stage, Aftershock 2019
Every one of you - from organizers to street crew, ticket-holder to security team, bartenders and chefs and hungry-and-thirsty attendees, crowdsurfers and surfer-catchers and guitar and drum technicians, camera and drone operators and the people who rescue pets and those who say, Fuck Cancer... thank you, thank you, thank you!

People of Aftershock
Sign language interpreter, Aftershock 2019

You made this a weekend for the memory books. You travelled, performers and Aftershockers alike, from all corners of the earth: musicians from Mongolia (The Hu), France (Gojira), England (BMTH) and Japan (Babymetal), attendees from all over the USA and from Australia and from Mexico and further north and south than that, along with a presence from the other world (there was a Zombie in the lineup, right???) and at least one photographer from the UK (me! me! though I feel I still have one foot firmly planted in the 916).

People of Aftershock
Aftershock 2019
You were unicorns. You were spiderman. You were Corey Taylor and some bizarre creature from Japanese anime. You were tattooed and beautifully-inked or beautifully-madeup or both, or you wore your naked face and torn jeans and tired Aftershock T-shirt from 2015; you possibly bared your boobs for beads or for Marilyn Manson who returned the favour (?) and bared his bum and burned a "bible" (in quotes because I have no proof whether it was, or was not, a religious tome), and at least one of you declared to anyone and everyone and the big screen in VIP in particular that He Is Satan, despite the rest of us thinking that he is more a performer than an antichrist. Though maybe I should modify the list of attendee-performer origins and add Hades to the list, somewhere between Australia and Mexico.

People of Aftershock
Three unicorns and other people, Aftershock 2019
You worked really hard and you partied until you broke - if not your bodies, because the security teams did a great job of catching you as you surfed the crowd (I only saw one bloodied nose all weekend, very early on on the first day, way before any circle pit had spun its end-of-summer NorCal dust cloud or anyone had zoomed across the heads of their Aftershock friends), at least some of your bank accounts (how else did you get so happily wasted? that wasn't cheap!!!) and you wore your shoes out walking/dancing/hobbling several long happy miles back to your hotels when Sacramento's cell phone network collapsed under the weight of 97,450 or so people all trying their utmost to live stream Tool's gem of a show.

People of Aftershock
Korn fans, Kolas Discovery Stage, Aftershock 2019
Thank you, thank you, thank you, People of Aftershock. You were friendly, you were happy, you were generous, and you rocked your hearts out. That was a wonderful weekend. How is it over, so fast?

People of Aftershock
Aftershock 2019
And today, it's Friday again, and suddenly a week has gone by since the first day of Aftershock 2019... and what are you doing now? Already planning for next year's Aftershock, of course! Because wait: the dates for 2020 have already been announced, the headliners known - Metallica, yes, you guessed, Metallica - planning two nights with different setlists, not only at Aftershock but at all five rock and metal festivals presented by Danny Wimmer's team, and tickets are already on sale, and selling really, really fast (you can do a layaway: reserve your spots and pay for the tickets over time). I hope, very much, to see you all again at Aftershock, in Sacramento, in 2020. Fingers and eyes crossed and drowned in travel-fatigue and an overdose of caffeine.

Many, many more People of Aftershock 2019 photos here, in the photo gallery. Take a look, you might find yourself. Feel free to share the pics directly from the gallery website using the social media links please tag @alisontoon on Twitter, @alisontoonphotographer on Instagram, @therealtoonstunes on Facebook.

Previous Aftershock People Of galleries are all here except for People of Aftershock 2012 which was hosted on the platform of the time here.

Band photos and reviews coming soon here: http://camerasandcargos.com and the photo galleries will all be hosted here: http://www.alisontoon.com/-/galleries/music just give me a few more days!

People of Aftershock
Aftershock 2019 lineup

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Second day of Aftershock 2019

Blink 182, headlining Saturday at Aftershock
Again, just a few photos... many more to come - from day two of Aftershock 2019!

Ho99o9
If you missed Ho99o9 on the Coors Capital stage, you missed a treat - go check them out!

So many enormous performances yesterday... Highly Suspect, Marilyn Manson, Bring Me The Horizon, Rob Zombie to name but a few.

Highly Suspect
Marilyn Manson
Bring Me The Horizon

Rob Zombie
And unicorns. There were unicorns...


And now it's Sunday... final day of this year's Aftershock... who is looking forward to Korn? Tool??? See you there!!!

Saturday, October 12, 2019

First day of Aftershock, 2019


Aftershock Festival, Discovery Park, Sacramento California... first day of the first-time-three-days festival, and it was just what Aftershock should be... thousands and thousands of people rocking out to great bands, headlined by Slipknot and with Lamb of God putting in an epic performance,

Lamb of God

Just a few quick edit photos for now - many more to come! Day two today!

I Prevail

Halestorm

Dropkick Murphys

Staind