Rock stars and fans share equal billing in solo photo exhibit
I’ve been taking pictures for some time now but I’ve never had a solo exhibit. There were two group shows I’ve contributed a few photos to, but never one on my own—until now.
Behind The Curtain’s Shadows is the title of my 45-photo slideshow exhibit currently on view until July at Apartment 1B restaurant on the ground floor of One Rockwell East Tower, Rockwell Drive near Power Plant Mall in Makati.
The exhibit is presented as a slideshow that appears on several 42-inch LEnD television screens within the restaurant.
On show: what people don’t get to see
Although I have at least a decade’s worth of work in music photography, I wanted to show the stuff that I’m currently working on and which a lot of people don’t normally get to see.
In the past year I have closely followed Greyhoundz, Queso, Slapshock, WilaBaliw, Kjwan and Razorback.
In spite of these bands’ continued success, there seemed to me a mystery surrounding their lasting appeal – something that may be answered by digging deeper into their history, or into the lives of their most loyal fans.
Another side to the ‘underground’
Especially among these bands, I found another side to what’s been described as the underground scene.
First, calling them “underground” isn’t entirely true. These bands are far too massive already. And yet, they’re not quite mainstream. And by mainstream, I mean being a regular part of the popular scene typically supported by corporate sponsors and traditional media.
On any given day, these bands, individually and collectively, attract a large crowd. They have the most loyal fans, always ready and waiting to see their heroes.
Hardcore fandom
Even if events aren’t very well organized, or if the bands perform using sub-par equipment, fans still go out of their way to watch.
Last September, I attended an event that was totally flooded because of the strong rains. Yet both musicians and fans braved the dirty flood waters and arrived at the venue with their pants folded and carrying their shoes.
I have never seen such aggressive fan loyalty. When I worked with more “relatable” rock bands, I didn’t experience this kind of fandom—the purest I have ever seen.
‘Behind my curtain’s shadows I’ll hide my fears’
The collection of photos I chose is simply to introduce what goes on within this tight circle. The title of the exhibit, Behind The Curtain’s Shadows, is a reference to the Greyhoundz song “Stage.”
When I was shooting the band during one of their gigs, I was struck by the lines of the song. “Aim your spotlights at me as I walk up your stage,” the lyric went. And, “behind my curtain’s shadows I’ll hide my fears, behind my shadow’s curtain’s I’ll hide my tears.”
Then it dawned on me that as much as that huge spotlight contributes to what we know of Pinoy rock, it seems to have missed the sea of fans who create just as much of the scene’s energy as the bands do.
It is the balance of photographs of musicians mixed with intense fan reaction that I hope can explain it all.
Behind The Curtain’s Shadows is ongoing until July at Apartment 1B restaurant on the Ground Floor of One Rockwell East Tower, Rockwell Drive near Power
Plant Mall in Makati.
