Going Green
May 23, 2009 by David Bergman
The last time I photographed Green Day in concert, they were playing in front of a sold-out crowd at Giants Stadium (capacity: 80,000).
The band was recently in New York City to promote their new album 21st Century Breakdown and I shot a live show for Kerrang magazine.
This gig was at Webster Hall (capacity: 1,400) and Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool had the same energy I remember from the stadium show. Here are a few of my images.
(Nikon D3, 24-70 lens, 1/250 sec, F/4.0 ISO 1600)
(Nikon D3, 70-200 lens, 1/200 sec, F/2.8 ISO 2500)
(Nikon D3, 24-70 lens, 1/250 sec, F/2.8 ISO 2500)
Nice pictures. The new Green Day record rocks!
Although not a band photographer and haven’t really followed music since the 1990’s, I have to say I like these photos. I saw a segment on Green Day on CBS Sunday Morning this week. If the interviews are accurate, these are some well grounded guys leading this band. I enjoyed the interviews very much and was impressed.
To show you how out of touch I am with the whole entertainment scene, my wish list is to photograph a “Prairie Home Companion” road show. I guess I AM old now. It’s official.
T. C. Knight
I didn’t think Green Day was going to be the band they are. Their stand against WalMart should be commended.
One of the most important American bands in a long time.
These photos captures their energy. I wish I knew how to “master” the ISO settings and could create photos like this.
Hi David, I enjoyed chatting with you before the show at Webster Hall, and appreciate the photo you took of my son and me (with my camera). I also saw the photos published in Kerrang. Not only did they use the one of Billie wearing my sunglasses, but the hand Billie is shaking across the barricade in another photo is my son’s. Even without our personal experiences with Green Day that night, I thought that was the best show I’ve ever attended. The band’s energy and joy were electrifying. They so obviously love their fans and love performing for us. I felt privileged to be part of that crowd (even when I thought the wooden floor might give way under us). I hope you were able to enjoy the show as much as we did.
Again, I enjoyed meeting you and thanks for capturing the great memories for us!
J’net
I really like the energy in the first image. re: the band themselves: Who would have guessed they’d end up being as influential and important as they?? What a great band.
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