I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times… the fans are what make the shows. While my media (Cornershop Studios) tasks with me band images (and a few fan/festival shots), I can’t help myself but turning around in the pit and capturing images of the people who go all out in the shows…. whether it be crowd surfing, getting dressed up, or getting to the front when the gates open and staying there all day.
Metal fans are always the best there are for photographers. While they mosh hard, have tattoos, piercings and wear shirts with skulls, they are the most respectful. They are there for the music and the show, not just to be seen and cool.
This year was pretty funny, I actually recognize a guy I took a photo of at Heavy MTL 2011 who was there again, up front, head banging away.
Here is a collection of images from the fans of Heavy MTL 2013.
If you want to check out all my actual band shots, they can only be seen on the media’s website! Go have a look, pretty sweet set if I say so myself!
And why not a little bit of mood music for you to click on while you look through the images… one of the highlights of my 2 days was seeing Phil Anselmo live on stage. The guy is an intense and brutal front man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ0bG_7L3Sw
The mohawk needed some fixing after getting in the gates hahaha
The dude on the left with the long hair and dark glasses is the one I saw a few years ago. \m/
One of the best shows to shoot was the Gwar set. The blood spray into the audience during all three songs was freaky. I was one of two photogs to brave the pit, which allowed me to get images of people getting sprayed! And yes, I was covered as well… those coloured smudges are Gwar paint on the lens lol
Keeping the fans cool and the dirt and dust down!
The pink haired girl sooo wanted her photo taken, I could tell lol
When the sun went down, was pretty fun to shoot with the giant spotlights in the back
And then… day 2 !!!
Yes, this guy was here again.
Security seriously work their asses off during shows. The guys in the pit for both days of Heavy MTL were just amazing. Makes our job (which can be pretty dangerous at times) that much safer. Some fans were starting to request a specific security guy stand in front of them hahaha.
Seems that in the last few years, there is always someone like this at every festival! Probably a great way to lose weight, wearing that suit all day!
