Photos: DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012--04-27

Don’t let the giant orb aka “Shadowsphere” mislead you, DJ Shadow is a one of the most down-to-earth, humble and friendly entertainers endowed with the mission of touring the world to showcase their innovations in sound, lighting and enrichment of the modern day concert-going experience.

While Josh Davis, better known as DJ Shadow is traditionally found pushing the boundaries of sample-based hip-hop as we know it, what he brought to life in this second-to-last-Shadowsphere-performance-ever at Knitting Factory Concert House in Reno this past Friday was much more than what can be classified in a single genre, or mashup of genres even.

As many renowned electronica acts have discovered in the last decade, playing an amalgamation of their favorite tracks seems to work wonders when on tour, and much like Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers, Prodigy, Underworld and Orbital, among others, DJ Shadow uses his tried and true arsenal of wares and always-growing bank of musical knowledge to forge a non-stop full-on dance frenzy, blurring all lines of recognition to infinity.

Before entering the Shadowsphere for what would make up the first 30-45 minutes of his hour-plus set, DJ Shadow being his affable self, took the stage to engage the audience with several minutes of conversation ranging in topics from “the last time I was in Reno…” to Shadowsphere tour anecdotes taking place over the last 48 months (give or take), which really seemed to act as a conduit in the formation of a cozy, familiar foundation better known as a live and intimate performance by and with the lovable DJ Shadow.

Settings on the Nikon D7000 + AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED camera and lens combination used to shoot this set utilized a wide open aperture of f/2.8 and shutter speeds of 1/200th and 1/250th of a second, and while in this “sweet spot” setup by the shutter speed and aperture, ISO variations between 1600 and 6400 allowed for any extra boost or decrease in lighting needed to properly expose the shot.

If you enjoy the selections on this page, you’ll surely love the full gallery, and more than likely, Nerve’s opening set.  If you find an image that you can’t live another day without having by your side, go ahead and order a print.  We’ll ship it right to your doorstep.  Promptly.

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DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

Camera(s) Used:

Nikon D7000

Lens(es) Used:

AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED


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Super Happy Fun Bonus Pics!

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV, 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV, 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

DJ Shadow @ Knitting Factory Concert House, Reno, NV 2012-04-27

Photos: Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort

Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
Black, white and red composite of Pretty Lights performing at Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV...

It has only been about a year since I had the happy accident of coming across the music of Denver, Colorado based Pretty LightsDerek Vincent Smith, the man behind the moniker, has seamlessly crafted one of the most unique electronic music hyperniches that I’ve had the pleasure of coming across in my musical exploration known as life.  Take the crate-digging elements of past hip-hop sampling gods a la mid-to-late 90’s DJ Shadow and mix with the likes of A.D.D.-friendly electro mashup groups like The Glitch Mob and sprinkle in a dash of old school Philadelphia soul and you (essentially) have the music of Pretty Lights.  The music however, cannot even begin to describe what takes place at a Pretty Lights show here in late 2011.

The lighting is mindblowing, pure and simple.  For reasons beyond my journalistic prowess, I can only assume that the creators of this interactive organic lighting entertainment system have indulged in multifaceted psychedelia and aim to entrance concertgoers in ways never before achieved.  Photographing this madness was no easy task, but I was able to walk away with several shots that make me proud to hold my Nikon D7000 DSLR.  The attached Nikon 50mm f/1.8D lens was fast enough to slow down the mile-a-minute lighting programming, while still communicating the excitement and elemental balance of the man at the helm.

The settings which I did keep static were the aperture and shutter speed at 1.8 and 1/250th of a second, respectively.  The ISO was something that I manually adapted to each stage as the lighting programs were unleashed, successfully utilizing a range of 100-3200 to achieve many favorable captures.  I invite you to view the full Pretty Lights gallery and share your favorites here and with your social networks; and for those of you who haven’t been to a Pretty Lights show in the past month or so — this is all brand-new — so get out there and rage on!

VIEW THE FULL PRETTY LIGHTS GALLERY HERE

Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
Pretty Lights taking the stage at GSR...
Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
Slightly reminiscent of Daft Punk's Alive 2007 tour...
Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
There are few words for how beautiful the interactive lighting was that evening...
Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
BOOM! Pretty Lights delivers a punch...
Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
Pretty Lights? Check. Lens Flare? Check...
Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
The man in the mist...
Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
A wider angle take on the sensational Pretty Lights live performance...
Pretty Lights Crowd @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
Silhouette of the raging Burning Man decompression crowd...
Pretty Lights Crowd @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
A spotlight washing over the sold out audience at Grand Sierra Resort...

 

Camera(s) Used:

Nikon D7000

Lens(es) Used:

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D


Go On, Treat Yourself to Something Nice!

Do you buy stuff online? Do you buy camera stuff online? If this post or anything else on ishootreno.com was helpful to you, please consider supporting this site and making your next photo gear, music or general purchase through one of our affiliate links:

Every time our readers buy new gear through our affiliate links, it helps us bring to the table more of that which brought you here in the first place — the ‘money’ shots!

The best part?!  It doesn’t cost our readers anything extra to show their support!

If our readers do pick up some new gear, please drop us a line … we always love to hear about your new additions!

Comments, Praise, Feedback?  We’re all ears!

Please let us know what you thought of this post on ishootreno.com!

Super-Happy Fun Bonus Pics!!!

Pretty Lights @ Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV 2011-09-06
The happiest man ever...