21 — Silver Spring, MD

*Japanese Breakfast (Photo by Andy Jillson)*

Japanese Breakfast played for a sold out crowd at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD last week. This was the first performance of their 2021 tour, and one I will remember for years to come. The venue was extremely hot and packed tightly; however, the crowd loved every second of it. I was personally so caught up in the musical excitement that three songs in the photo pit went by in a blink. Amazing performance. Amazing artist. Enough said.

Anyone who has a chance should give Japanese Breakfast a listen and buy a ticket to one of the shows. Tickets are on sale now and available for purchase at japanesebreakfast.rocks/tour. Continue reading below for more photos information. All images copyright and courtesy of Andy Jillson.

Show Preview: Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2021 — Danville, VA

Virginia’s 4th annual Blue Ridge Rock Festival will be taking place this year September 9-12 at the Blue Ridge Amphitheater in Danville, VA. Once again, the festival organizers have gone out of their way to provide an entirely “fan-driven” artist lineup. This musical event will be one of the best of the year!

Headliners for this year’s Blue Ridge Rock Festival include Rob Zombie, Rise Against, Breaking Benjamin, Five Finger Death Punch, Megadeth, Papa Roach, and Shinedown. I’m personally looking most forward to performances by Gojira, Lamb of God, Mastodon, and Anthrax. View full line-up and/or purchase tickets at blueridgerockfest.com. Continue reading below for more information.

Photo Flashback: Bumpin Uglies @ Baltimore Soundstage 3/19/21 — Baltimore, MD

Bumpin Uglies kicked off the weekend at Baltimore Soundstage on March 19, 2021 and I was fortunate enough to be there enjoying the live music and spacious photo pit. The performance was their first of three sold out shows at Soundstage last week. This was my first time back in the venue since February 2020. Felt so good. It was a much needed dose of socially-distanced live music and concert photography.

Anyway, in this photo flashback we’re taking a glimpse into the world of post-COVID concerts. Continue reading below for more shots of Bumpin Uglies performing for a sold out room of mask-wearing fans in Baltimore, MD. All images copyright and courtesy of Andy Jillson.

Photo Flashback: Dead Kennedys & D.O.A. @ 9:30 Club 3/11/20 — Washington, DC

On March 3, 2020 I photographed pioneering punk rockers the Dead Kennedys and D.O.A. at DC’s historic 9:30 Club. I had only vaguely heard about the coronavirus at that time and certainly had no idea this was going to be the last concert I would attend for the next seven months. In between band sets a staff member informed me that the 9:30 Club and all other DC venues were going to be “temporarily shutdown” beginning the following day. Well…here we are almost nine months later. Ugh.

Anyway, in this Photo Flashback I am remembering my time with the Dead Kennedys and D.O.A.. Continue reading below for more images of both bands performing at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC on 3/11/2020. All images copyright and courtesy of Andy Jillson.

Photo Flashback: Refused, Youth Code, & Racetraitor @ 9:30 Club 2/21/20 — Washington, DC

Refused, Youth Code, and Racetraitor played at the 9:30 Club in DC on February 21, 2020 and photographer Shane Gardner was there in the photo pit “pressing buttons” as he would say. Check out Shane’s official website, ROCK N ROLL SOCIALITE, for more examples of his work and information on how to obtain his services. Anyway, in this Photo Flashback were taking a trip down memory lane with Refused, Youth Code, and Racetraitor. Continue reading below for more shots from their performances at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC on February 21, 2020. All images copyright and courtesy of Shane Gardner.

Photo Flashback: Bumpin Uglies w/ Higher Education @ The Family Drive-In 10/18/20 — Stephens City, VA

Bumpin Uglies performed in Stephens City, VA at The Family Drive-In on October 18, 2020 and I was there documenting some of the action. This was my third drive-in concert of the season and my first time attempting to take promo shots for a band.

Bumpin Uglies brought along fellow East Coasters Higher Education to kick off the show and both bands were obviously enjoying being back on stage again. The fans in attendance also seemed to have had a hell of a time. Continue reading below for more photos of Bumpin Uglies and Higher Education performing at The Family Drive-In on 10/18/20. All images copyright and courtesy of Andy Jillson.

*Higher Education (Photo by Andy Jillson)*

Photo Flashback: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong @ Frederick Fairgrounds 10/15/20 — Frederick, MD

*Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (Photo by Andy Jillson)*

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and their flock of fans rocked out at the Frederick Fairgrounds in Frederick, MD on October 15, 2020. Showtime At The Drive-In has been hosting drive-in concert events at the fairgrounds and still has multiple shows scheduled. This was my second drive-in concert and Pigeons did not disappoint.

Continue reading below for more photos of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong performing at the Frederick Fairgrounds on 10/15/20. All images copyright and courtesy of Andy Jillson. Tickets and schedule for all upcoming Showtime At The Drive-In concerts are available HERE & HERE.

Concert Review: GWAR @ The Diamond “Drive-In” 10/10/20 — Richmond, VA

Holy shit! GWAR played their first drive-in concert in the parking lot of The Diamond in Richmond, VA on 10/10/20, and I was fortunate enough to be there for my first parking lot show as well. The band’s performance was top notch and included all the horrific thrills and chills you would expect from these intergalactic metal gods — blood, guts, and senseless rock ‘n’ roll obscenity. I loved every second of it.

Continue reading below for my full concert review and more photos. Concert review and all photos by Andy Jillson.

Show Preview: GWAR @ The Diamond 10/10/20 — Richmond, VA

Richmond’s own intergalactic metal gods GWAR are taking over The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia with two drive-in concert performances on Saturday, October 10. I, Andy Jillson, will be attending the early show and Hazy Eye Music Media’s own Brad Price will be in the front row (receiving the VIP treatment) for GWAR’s late show…and boy are we excited!!!

Tickets range from $139.95 to $199.95 per vehicle for the concert, based on proximity to stage. The late show is sold out, but there are still a few tickets left for the early show. For direct links to remaining tickets and GWAR merch, click HERE or HERE. Continue Reading below for more info and to view some lovely photos of GWAR & GWARbar. Photos and words by Andy Jillson & Brad Price.

Photo Flashback: Mt. Joy “Live-In Drive-In” Performance @ Citizens Bank Park 8/25/20 — Philadelphia, PA

This past Tuesday, August 25, Mt. Joy rocked out for the parking lot crowd at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. Their live musical performance was a part of the “Live-In Drive-In” concert series courtesy of Live Nation. Looks like the band and audience had a great time. Live-In Drive-In is a drive-in concert series featuring live performances on stage in the parking lot at Citizens Bank Park in Philly. The series allows you to enjoy live concerts, while still maintaining social distancing from the comfort of your own individual vehicle.

The Live-In Drive-In series continues throughout September 2020 and features performances by artists such as Smith & Myers, Lotus, and Dark Star Orchestra among others. Tickets for all upcoming concerts within the drive-in series are available HERE & HERE. Continue reading below for more photos of Mt. Joy performing at Citizens Bank Park on August 25, 2020. All images copyright and courtesy of Gabby Barbieri & Skylar Watkins. Images made available via Live Nation & Ike Richman Communications.