Metallica Brings Explosive Excitement and Metal Madness to Edmonton on Final Day of Hardwired World Tour - August 16, 2017

Dana Zuk August 17, 2017

PHOTOGRAPHED FOR VUE WEEKLY

Last night's show at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium was easily a check off of the top of my bucket list. One of the biggest nights of my career as a concert photographer, and I couldn't have been more excited about it. I've been dying to have the one and only Metallica in front of my lens for years, and at last, it happened in Commonwealth Stadium last night, it feels so surreal to have come and gone so quickly. I'm truly at a loss for words when it comes to describing my time spent shooting a show of this magnitude, and with such sentimental value to me.

Adding a little sugar to the mix, Gojira and Avenged Sevenfold opened up the night with excitement and to get the audience warmed up for what was in store. I'm also extremely excited and proud to finally announce that I am now a part of the Vue Weekly photographer team! I'm so looking forward to what's yet to come with this great opportunity as we both continue to grow.

Metallica also did a solid for those who wanted to see the show last night but couldn't make it out, as they celebrated the final show of their Hardwired World Tour by live-streaming the concert through their YouTube page, the stream can be viewed HERE for anyone who wants catch the live experience.

Needless to say, this was truly an unforgettable night for me and many others who are fans of the band. Though as a professional concert photographer, this is easily one of the biggest nights of my career, and it's something that I'll be talking about for years to come! I'm chomping at the bit for the next time Metallica visit's their Edmonton family!

Missed the show? Don't sweat it, I've got you covered! Check out my review of Metallica's banger performance right HERE at Vue Weekly!

Metallica

Avenged Sevenfold

Gojira

Canada's Finest Band Together to Support Fort McMurray at Fire Relief Concert - June 29, 2016

Dana Zuk July 5, 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED FOR LIVE NATION ALBERTA & VANDALA MAGAZINE

Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium was packed with 32, 000 screaming fans on Wednesday, June 29th, as some of Canada's finest musicians came together to put on a relief concert for those effected by the horrors that ensued, due to the largest wildfire that our province has ever seen in the northern Alberta city of Fort McMurray.

At the beginning of May, the blaze forced the biggest fire evacuation in our province's history, displacing roughly 88, 000 people, and destroying thousands of homes and business in the process, as it engulfed approximately 1.5 million acres of land in uncontrollable flames. It was not reported until TODAY - July 5th 2016 - that the fire has finally been declared under control. For more information on the Fort McMurray wildfire, visit the Wikipedia page for the fire HERE.

Despite the chaos that unsettled so many lives, the people of Alberta, and many across Canada, began to show unimaginable hospitality to those who had no choice but to flee the inferno. Families making their homes available for other families, crews of people rescuing pets who were left behind, and even local businesses offering free meals and clothing to those who had lost everything. 54 million dollars was donated to the Canadian Red Cross by the citizens of Canada and many across the world, along with many other donations from various charities and organizations.

It wasn't much longer after the evacuation that the Fire Aid concert was announced. The news of Ft. Mac had spread rapidly across the nation, and hit home for many Albertan and Canadian musicians, so many were jumping at the chance to help rally people together to support those in need. The concert was also being broadcast to a local sporting field in the Wood Buffalo community, so those who were able to return to their homes in Fort McMurray could still enjoy the concert.

Headlined by Canadian superstars, Nickelback, the Fire Aid featured a handful of artists of all genres such as: Blue Rodeo, City & Colour, Barney Bentall, Corb Lund, Randy Bachman & The Sadies, Dean Brody, The Rankin Family, Dallas Smith, Alan Doyle & The Beautiful Gypsies, Ian Tyson, Brett Kissel, High Valley, Dear Rouge, Harlequin and Dustin Bentall. Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium quickly filled up as the afternoon progressed, lucky that the weather was on our side, as thundershowers were estimated for the evening - Regardless, I don't think any amount of rain could have put a damper on this gig. With Vancouver's own, Nickelback, ending the night on a high note, the vibe within the stadium was beyond words. Smiling faces, and people embracing was a pleasant sight, but the overall sense of support and community that was shown to each and everyone of the audience members. As a concert photographer, I always wish to see things of that nature with each concert I shoot... Well, my wish was granted I couldn't feel more honored to have been a part of this once in a life time experience.

NICKELBACK

DUSTIN BENTALL

HARLEQUIN

DEAR ROUGE

HIGH VALLEY

BRETT KISSEL

ALAN DOYLE

DALLAS SMITH

THE RANKING FAMILY

THE RANKIN FAMILY

DEAN BRODY

RANDY BACHMAN

CORB LUND

BARNEY BENTALL

CITY & COLOUR

BLUE RODEO

BLUE RODEO & GUESTS

NICKELBACK

AC/DC Brings High Voltage Performance to Edmonton - September 20, 2015

Dana Zuk September 24, 2015

PHOTOGRAPHED FOR VANDALA MAGAZINE

Hordes of people flocked to Commonwealth Stadium on a very rainy Sunday night to catch the notorious rock 'n rollers, A.K.A the infamous thunder from down under, AC/DC, as they bashed their way into Edmonton, Alberta on the Rock Or Bust tour. Despite the foul weather, Edmonton's die-hard AC/DC fans of all ages were not phased, as thousands of people could be seen bundled up in rain ponchos with umbrellas in hand and smiles on their faces.

Upon entering the arena, the butterflies in my stomach began to go nuts. This was my first time shooting a show of this magnitude, and I felt like I was in some sort of perfect dream. This was a huge deal for me! Not only seeing, but photographing AC/DC has been on my must-see/shoot bucket-list for years, and finally getting to cross them off of the mile-long list feels pretty surreal.

Kicking off their explosive performance with the title track off of their newest album, Rock or Bust, AC/DC electrified Commonwealth Stadium with a hefty 20 song set, packed with tracks spanning across their incredible 42 year career. Fans could be heard singing along to their favorite songs from blocks away, as the fireworks and cannons of the stage show could equally be seen. With every note that would burst from the amps, the audience would respond with a roar, cheering and singing along to their favorite parts of their favorite AC/DC songs.

Being surrounded by such and overwhelming abundance of positive energy of this degree was amazing, to say the least. The rain couldn't dampen the mood in Commonwealth Stadium, even if it was pouring buckets. All the while, seeing rock 'n roll gods still young at heart; running around and having a total blast on stage, performing to an audience in awe, is truly something magical that's much too sacred to put into words. So on that note, keep on rockin' AC/DC, I salute you!

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Missed the show? Don't sweat it, I've got you covered! Check out my review of Metallica's banger performance right HERE at Vue Weekly!