Blondie, amazing as always, at TBD Fest 2014

Debbie Harry, Blondie, TBD Fest, Sacramento 2014

Blondie, co-founded by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, still drawing huge crowds, and one of the main headliners at this year's TBD Fest in West Sacramento.

Blondie and their light show, TBD Fest, Sacramento 2014

As per the last time I photographed Blondie, all photographers had to remain away from the stage, back at the sound desk. So if these shots look a little distant, it's because they were (at TBD the sound desk was way further back, and behind many more people, than at the Sunrise At Night show). As a performer, there has to come a moment when you're fed up with seeing lenses directed towards you.

Debbie Harry, Blondie, TBS Fest, Sacramento 2014

The light show was beautiful, and so are Ms. Harry and the band of great musicians that are Blondie.

Chris Klein and Debbie Harry, Blondie, TBD Fest, Sacramento 2014

Tommy Kessler, Blondie, TBD Fest, Sacramento 2014

Many more photos from the TBD Fest Blondie show in the Toon's Tunes gallery.  Keep an eye on Blondie's website for new concert dates!

Blondie and huge crowd, TBD Fest, Sacramento 2014

Zeroclient release album "Omnia", celebration concert at the Assembly, Sacramento last night

Zeroclient "Omnia" release concert, The Assembly, Sacramento, 2014

Surrounded by fans and by fellow musicans from Sacramento's lively rock music scene, Zeroclient last night celebrated the release of their first album, Omnia. Rock at times blending to prog, it's well worth a listen, and check out the artwork too!

Zeroclient, The Assembly, Sacramento, 2014

Some, no, all of the photos are grainy and dark. The venue was dark, darker than usual for the Assembly, and despite resorting to a 1:8 lens it was still tricky to capture any light. I hope these pictures carry across some of the atmosphere! And maybe Reality Check TV obtained some decent footage? They were there!

Zeroclient, The Assembly, Sacramento 2014

There's a full Toon's Tunes photo gallery for last night's Zeroclient Omnia album release show!

Heroin Diaries, and why I'm not reading them any more

I can't read Nikki Sixx's Heroin Diaries. I have tried, valiantly, but no... it makes me feel sick: in my stomach and my soul.

I understand why he published them. I applaud and respect his recovery, and the desire that no-one else falls as deep. But me, personally, I cannot read past a few pages.

I hope that kids who read this are not as affected, as I was, at age 12 or thirteen or something even more precocious by Go Ask Alice. When you're painting a dark picture, there's always the danger that someone sees their own light in it.

Me? I'm one of the lucky ones; coffee is my vice, plus the cigarettes that disappeared with the last day of 1999. But not everyone makes it through. And that's probably why I can't read Nikki Sixx's book. It also might be because I'm just not cool-enough... or because Motley Crue were never one of "my" bands... or because the splattered publishing and authoring style is so distracting it gives me a migraine.

I just. Can't. Read. Any. More.

(In Heroin Diaries? On page 27, I already want to slap the person that "Vanity" has become. I'm going to use the book to stop my heavy bag stand wobbling. I might feel better after punching a few rounds.)

The War On Drugs, and I've been listening to them forever: TBD Fest, 2014

Adam Granduciel, The War on Drugs, TBD Fest, 2014

Occasionally, very occasionally, you come across a band, a musician, a sound, and though you've never before heard a single song, the moment the first note hits your eardrum, you've known them forever.

I'm like that with Marillion's songs: they hit a chord so deep that it feels like part of eternity. And, on Saturday, The War On Drugs did the same thing. It was just as if their songs, which I'd never heard before, had already been playing somewhere just-beyond my hearing, waiting to be set free and known..

The War On Drugs, TBD Fest 2014, Sacramento

I'd never heard The War On Drugs before: never experienced Adam Granduciel's guitar, hadn't even had a clue what to expect, musically, because there were so many bands playing at the festival, and not enough time to preview each and every one in time for the weekend... and the PR description, try as it might, can't paint sound and emotion.

The band was getting ready to play; there were some challenges with the sound, it was taking a little longer than expected. On of the phototographers was muttering about "the guitar techs giving the show", but who could have heard one note of Granduciel's guitar and not known it was the real thing??? So worth waiting the extra few minutes for...

Charlie Hall, drums, The War on Drugs, TBD Fest, 2014

Photographing festivals, we shoot the first three songs of one band, then zoom off to the next stage for three songs there, then the next stage, then the fourth, three songs each show, never hearing an entire set; and as festival sets are condensed versions of a band's usual tour show (forty-five minutes, or an hour maybe, instead of an hour and a half, two hours or more). Sorry, other bands whose sets overlapped with The War On Drugs: I stayed there, and listened to the entire show.

Robbie Bennett, keyboards, The War on Drugs, TBD Fest, 2014

Like my favorite parts of Bob Dylan and Dire Straits, blended with a manic, insistent and persistent drumming, and something very unique and heartfelt and born of pain and joy and darkness and morning. "Under The Pressure" has been playing in my head ever since Saturday... so very glad I was there for this show at TBD Fest.

Adam Granduciel, guitar and vocals, The War On Drugs, TBD Fest 2014

More photos in the Toon's Tunes photo gallery for The War On Drugs.

More about the band on their website: many upcoming tour dates are already sold out, so grab tickets fast: USA, UK, Europe and Australia coming soon.

YACHT: a little Talking Heads, some Electro Pop, a smidgeon of Annie Lennox and just a pinch of Fitz and the Tantrums... TBD Fest 2014

Claire L. Evans, vocals, YACHT, TBD Fest, 2014

YACHT, (yes, it's all capitals, and no, it's not a boat), mostly Jona Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans, but with help on tour from Jeffrey Brodsky and Rob Kieswetter (I hope I named everyone?): a very lively show at TBD Fest last weekend in Sacramento.

Jona Bechtolt jumping, YACHT, TBD Fest, 2014

Taking to the stage as night fell, a backdrop of two giant CDs on display; Jona and Claire took turns jumping onto, and spinning on, the part of the stage that projected into the audience.

Claire L. Evans, vocals, YACHT, TBD Fest, 2014

Crowd loved them! Easy on both the ear and the eye, what's not to like?

Jona Bechtolt, YACHT, TBD Fest, 2014

More Toon's Tunes photos from YACHT's set in the photo gallery.  Info about YACHT on their website!

... and all the DELTRON 3030 photos from TBD Fest 2014

Del of DELTRON 3030, TBD Fest 2014, Sacramento

A few more photos from alternate hip-hop supergroup, DELTRON 3030: Del the Funky Homosapien, Dan the Automator, Kid Koala... fun show at TBD Fest!

Full set of Toon's Tunes photos in the DELTRON 3030 photo gallery.

Empire of the Sun at TBD Fest... smoke and mirrors, strange creatures, and more smoke

Luke Steele, Empire of the Sun, TBD Fest 2014, Sacramento

Perhaps the most challenging show to photograph at TBD Fest, and definitely the most dramatic to watch, Empire of the Sun came equipped with smoke, headdresses, dancers, even more smoke... and wow, was it a show!

Luke Steele, Empire of the Sun, TBD Fest 2014, Sacramento

While Empire of the Sun is a "duo", there seemed to be at least fifty people on stage at any one time, most of whom were hiding in the clouds... OK that's an exaggeration, but there were definitely more than Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore.

Empire of the Sun, TBD Fest 2014, Sacramento

There had been fans wandering around the festival in Empire of the Sun headgear all day... and when Luke Steele took the stage, the crowd went wild... and what a lot of cellphones there were.

Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore, Empire of the Sun, TBD Fest, 2014

Full set of photos in the Toon's Tunes Empire of the Sun gallery!

All those photographers... what happens to all those images and videos?

Cameras and cell phones pointed at the band, Empire of the Sun, TBD Fest 2014

This is just a small snippet from a larger photo from Empire of the Sun's show on Saturday night at TBD Fest in Sacramento: I'd found a perch, above the level of the pit, just below the stage. Luke Steele had walked forwards onto the small area of stage that projected out towards the audience, and I was trying to grab a shot that included him, the stage, and the audience.

Only this evening, when editing the photos, did I realise that each and every member of the audience was pointing their cell phones at him...

The pit was crowded too. I wonder where all those images and videos will go?

Toon's Tunes photo gallery for Empire of the Sun is online now!

Century Got Bars at TBD Fest, West Sacramento, ruling!

Century Got Bars, TBD Fest 2014, Sacramento

After being subjected to the inane, and offensive-to-my-ears, words of Danny Brown the previous day (don't worry Danny fans, I will be sharing the photos, I just won't be repeating his words... female dogs and pet cats can stay exactly that, in my world view, not used as disparaging terms for women)... it was a real pleasure to hear Century Got Bars, intelligent lyrics, and so much energy packed into the bus-that-converts-to-a-stage at TBD Fest 2014.

Century Got Bars, TBD Fest 2014, Sacramento

Originally from Detroit but now calling Sacramento home, you can check out her work here: http://www.centurygotbars.com/

And a few more photos in the gallery!

Some wonderful combinations at TBD Fest, including Inkdup X DJ Oasis!

Inkdup X DJ Oasis, TBD Fest, Sacramento

TBD Fest not only brought in bands and musicians from all over the country (and from overseas, too), it showcased some of our great local talent--including these guys, Inkdup X DJ Oasis. Cool mix of DJ with Inkdup's energetic and exciting drumming. We need to see those drums at night next time! (They have lights!)

Inkdup X DJ Oasis, TBD Fest, Sacramento

Lots more photos in the Inkdup X DJ Oasis photo gallery!

It's all about the people: TBD Fest, West Sacramento, 2014

TBD Fest 2014, West Sacramento, CA

Truly: it's all about the people: the TBD Fest organizers who set this whole thing up and worked 24 hours a day for the weekend; the musicians who entertained us, the teams who provided security; the people who fed us and who picked up the rubbish and who sold us bandannas and works of art and beer and water and whatever else we wanted.

TBD Fest 2014, West Sacramento, CA

It's always about the people.

Dusk, TBD Fest 2014, West Sacramento, CA

We had fun. We had loads of fun. We heard excellent music; some we knew well, some new and exciting, some different and out of our usual listening sphere. We ate well, we drank loads and loads and loads of water, we went home and washed a ton of dust out of our hair and from between our toes, and then we went back and did it again. Brilliant weekend!

Crowd watching Keys N Krates, TBD Fest 2014

See you next year, TBD Fest! Thank you!

Many more photos in this gallery, and many more to come: keep checking back to Toon's Tunes! Feel free to use the buttons to share on Facebook, Twitter etc.  Please tag Toon's Tunes on Facebook or @alisontoon on Twitter!

And something really special: D.A.M.B and the Sacramento Ballet, at TBD festival

D.A.M.B. and the Sacramento Ballet, TBD Fest, Sacramento

Bet you've never seen this combination before: a DJ, (D.A.M.B. aka Shaun Slaughter), and ballet from the Sacramento Ballet.

It was beautiful. A full set of photos can be seen in the Toon's Tunes photo gallery for D.A.M.B. and the Sacramento ballet.

One from Empire of the Sun... what a dramatic show (more photos soon)

Luke Steele, vocals, Empire of the Sun, TBD Fest, 2014

Luke Steele, Empire of the Sun, TBD Fest 2014, Sacramento

... and one to start the day after.... many more to come! Here's Del The Funky Homosapien...

Del The Funky Homosapien, DELTRON 3030, TBD Fest 2014

Just one shot before sleep... TBD Fest, Sacramento, and a jumping Yacht

Jona Bechtol of YACHT, TBD Fest, Sacramento

More tomorrow. Night night!

Second day of TBD Fest: music, music, music, fashion, art, food, music, music, music...

Lizzy Plapinger of MS MR, TBD Fest, Sacramento 2014

Just a a couple of glimpses from Saturday... many more to come.

Mission Impossible fashion, part of the fashion show at TBD Fest 2014

Be there today: headliners are Blondie and Justice!

Adam Granduciel, guitar and vocals, The War On Drugs, TBD Fest 2014

TBD Fest gets off to a great start! Light sticks, dancing, art, EDM, techno, food... and a little dust

Crowd watching Dillon Francis at TBD Fest, Sacramento CA

First day of a three-day, weekend festival, and it's already full of excitement. With a good mix of bands who sing and play "traditional" rock instruments (like guitars), and those who make musical magic by manipulating electronic sounds through laptops, plus art galleries, cool clothing vendors, great food (and a Sacramento chef cook-off to come), there's something for everyone. Even very chic, tented "cabanas" that you can rent to relax in while you enjoy the show.

Today's show starts in just a couple of hours and will be running until midnight: headliners on Saturday, Explosions In The Sky followed by Empire of the Sun. Tomorrow: Blondie!

More (many more) photos coming soon. Loving the crowd shots!

Plan on getting a little dusty--it's dry!

Check out the full lineup on the TBD Fest website: http://schedule.tbdfest.com/events/2014/10/04/ 

Festivals, festivals, festivals! Music and more this weekend in Sacramento!

Busy weekend, full of music, ahead!

TBDfest begins today! In West Sacramento, it's a three-day festival of music, food, art, and more. Headiners include Moby and Blondie, but there's a huge, seriously huge, lineup of bands, four stages, going on all weekend. See the schedule here on the TBD website.

And watch out for the Pit--not a mosh pit, but a competition of local chefs! This should be yummy!

Then there's also V103 Rockfest, a showcase of young, local talent: it's happening tomorrow, Saturday, at the Rio Ramaza marina on Garden Highway!

See you this weekend!! 

And not to forget... it's also Orangevale's Country Music festival too!  

Sigh... is it only the photographers who want to be in multiple places at once? Or do you too find the decision of where to be tomorrow difficult? I know where I will be, but it's a shame that all three events are on the same day. Just saying.

Also this weekend, SacWorldFest, which this year takes place at Sac State university (and I'm torn... I really do want to be there, too... maybe there's a way... watch this space!!!)  And Sacramento Aloha Fest too!!!

What a weekend for music and art in Sacramento.  I wonder if next year, all the organizers can get together and maybe spread the love a little further through the month?

Mastodon at Aftershock, not one twerk, no really, not one. Just a whole load of metal.

Troy Sanders, bass, Mastodon, Sacramento, Aftershock 2014

After seeing Mastodon's new video for Motherload, and all the news, and the fake-news-site fuss,about the overload of bouncy bottoms, I realised I still hadn't published my photos from Mastodon's set at Aftershock 2014. Sorry!

Brann Dailor, Mastodon, Aftershock 2014, Sacramento CA

Good, solid, heavy, metal. Seriously solid. Fun too, in a very-metal way. I enjoyed their set. What else do you want from a metal festival?

Brent Hinds, Mastodon, Aftershock 2014, Sacramento CA

So's the song behind the video. It's a joke, people... it's funny. If you bother to get past the not-so-subtle-and-really-quite-amusing imagery, it's good music... listen with your ears . There's a good interview with Brann Dailor on Pitchfork, plus a link to the video, if you're one of the (lucky? unlucky?) few who haven't seen it yet.

Bill Kelliher, Mastodon, Aftershock 2014, Sacramento Ca

(Honestly... in the Motherload video, it's the guy with the huge belly that freaks me out, not the dancers. Cos they do it a sight better than Miley. That guy's belly is just... scary!)

Troy Sanders, bass, Mastodon, Sacramento, Aftershock 2014

All the photos are in the Toon's Tunes Mastodon photo gallery.

Mastodon's Once More 'Round The Sun is out now, and they're touring the USA in October and November, then off for a multi-date tour of the UK, and then over into Europe. Worth seeing!