City & Colour Brings Acoustic Mastery to Rexall Place - June 10, 2016

Dana Zuk June 12, 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED FOR EXCLAIM!.CA

Gracing the City of Champions on Friday night was Canadian acoustic phenomenon, City & Colour. Accompanied by the talented fellow acoustic jammer Shakey Graves, from Austin TX, they collectively brought Edmonton to their knees with the purity and beauty contained within their songs. City and Colour founder, and Alexisonfire guitarist Dallas Green poetically glided into his set with the familiar guitar ambience of "Woman" pouring through the monitors.

The band continued on through an 18-song set, featuring a number of fan favourite tracks such as: "If I Should Go Before You," "Hello, I'm in Delaware" and "Lover Come Back," which left eager concertgoers in awe and some in tears, all the while, with smiles adorned on their faces.

C&C included a tribute cover to send his best wishes and kind regards to Gord Downie, frontman of fellow Canadians the Tragically Hip, as he played a beautiful rendition of the Hip's "Bobcaygeon." The audience roared as the familiar melody soaked through the monitors, so gracefully paired with Green's heavenly voice. Following up with "The Girl," which featured Green on his own for part of the song, and having his whole band chime in to deliver the song's pounding outro. Lastly, performing an encore with fan favourites "Fragile Bird" and "Sorrow Man", Dallas Green and his band unified to send their gratitude to Edmonton for a rockin' Friday night show.

Lamb of God Crushes the Shaw Conference Centre on Edmonton Stop of North American Tour - June 5, 2016

Dana Zuk June 6, 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED FOR EXCLAIM!.CA

Having the almighty Lamb of God in town on Sunday night was just the right kind of gig to top off a great weekend. As the Virginian heavy-hitters dominated the stage at Edmonton's Shaw Conference Centre to a packed house, accompanied by the likes of opening acts Clutch and Corrosion of Conformity, I couldn't help but feel giddy over the fact that, after years of wishing and waiting, I was finally able to have one of my all time favorite bands in front of my lens.

Missed the show? Don't worry! Check out the official show review courtesy of Exclaim! Magazine HERE!

LAMB OF GOD

CLUTCH

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY

Baroness Paints the Town "Purple" on Edmonton Stop of 2016 Spring Tour - May 27, 2016

Dana Zuk May 29, 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED FOR EXCLAIM!.CA

Picking up semi-last minute gigs on a Friday night is never something I will complain about. Especially when it comes to going in blind, so to speak. The discovery of new bands and new music is easily one of the most thrilling parts of my job. Last night, however, I was in for a real treat - as the almighty, Baroness, marched into Edmonton's infamous venue, the Starlite Room, to do some damage on their Spring 2016 tour.
Being someone who's some-what unfamiliar with their music, I couldn't help but feel intrigued as the band took to the stage. But, alas, within the first few bars of Baroness' opening song, that spewed from the monitors, and filled the room with joy and all sorts of other emotions, I was hooked! The gritty melodies paired with soothing vocals was practically a match made in heaven, along with the pulsating rhythms that seemed to have the whole room either bobbing their heads or swaying their bodies back and forth, all the while, the sound of concert goers singing along to every word - Truly a pleasant first-time experience while in the presence of the undeniably epic Baroness!

Missed the show? Don't worry! Check out the official show review courtesy of Exclaim! Magazine HERE!

Death Cab For Cutie Opens "Lights on the Horizon" Tour with Metric at Rexall Place - March 29, 2016

Dana Zuk March 31, 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED FOR EXCLAIM!.CA

Seattle's alternative indie-rock sensations, Death Cab For Cutie, opened up the night at Rexall Place with fellow Canadian's, Metric, headlining on Tuesday night, on the Edmonton stop of the "Lights on the Horizon" tour. Playing to a full floor of people of all ages, Death Cab For Cutie crushed their 45 minute set, playing various songs spanning their 18-plus year career, resulting in fans dancing and singing along to every song; Always a pleasant sight. Paying homage to a friend and loved one who had passed on earlier this year, Aaron Huffman of fellow alt. rock group Harvey Danger, Death Cab For Cutie played a touching cover of Harvey Danger's "Why I'm Lonely", which caused the sea of fans on the floor to clap and wave their hands from side to side, while cheering at the acknowledgement of saying goodbye to the band's long-time friend. Finally, putting the hammer down on the band's 15 song set, Death Cab For Cutie pleasantly met the expectations of those who gathered at the arena for the evening, as the band's praises were sung among concert goers in the halls of Rexall Place.

Check out the official show review, and more concert photos of Metric's set HERE!

Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls Unleash Positive Songs for Negative People Tour on Union Hall - March 6, 2016

Dana Zuk March 7, 2016

PHOTOGRAPHED FOR EXCLAIM!.CA

Edmontonians lined the soggy streets outside of Union Hall on the evening of March 6th, to catch the one and only, Frank Turner and his band of Sleeping Souls, as they delivered an adrenalized set of pop, folk and rock music to close off the weekend. Accompanied by Canadian folk artists such as the solo, Mo Kenney, and Northcote, as the perfect, west-meets-east-and-everything-in-between, kind of openers to get the Sunday concert goers in the mood to dance, sing and have a great time.

Missed the show? Don't sweat it! Check out the official show review HERE!

FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS

NORTHCOTE

MO KENNEY

The Best Of 2015

Dana Zuk December 24, 2015

Another year has come and gone, and I can't believe how amazing 2015 has been for me. I met some of the most incredible people while adventuring around western Canada throughout the summer months, and was given so many opportunities of a life time over the course of the year that I won't soon forget. Covering all kinds of concerts and festivals for various media outlets such as: Exclaim!, Vandala Magazine and ampsandgreenscreens.com, as well as maintaining a steady schedule of shooting, I was able to smash many goals that I had set for myself for 2015, which lead to some of the best mile-stone experiences of my life that I will be talking about until my days are done.

To sum up an entire year of epic concerts and experiences into a few paragraphs is... Difficult... To say the least. Despite the downside of losing one of Edmonton's best music venues, The Pawn Shop, I feel fortunate to have been able to be a part of some of the most energtic and wild shows that took place there within its final days. But alas, life goes on. On a more postive note, some of my most favorite memories of being a concert photographer were made this year. From shooting countless local bands as they melt faces while dominating stages across western Canada, to having musical legends in front of my lens in the most renowned venues across the city of Edmonton.

Reminiscing on the past 12 months and the challenges it has presented me, I can proudly say that I was able to overcome and perservere through them with my head held high, and with positive thoughts guiding me along the way; encouraging me to work harder and harder to get to where I want to be with my life as a professional photographer. It's amazing what dreaming big can do for you. Including the remarkable amount of support that I have received from friends, family and people I have never met. I'm truly humbled. My gratitude for your endless support is beyond words. Shout out, and much love to all of you, you know who you are!

Now, before kickin' into holiday mode for the remainder of 2015, I have sifted through the mountain of pictures I have shot this year, and compiled a swanky album of my most favorite snaps. Enjoy, folks! See ya in 2016!

Butcher Babies

Black Label Society

Tides of Kharon

Cannibal Corpse

Behemoth

These Colours Don't Run

Display of Decay

Mongol

Dahlmer's Realm

Wovenwar

In Flames

Times Tide

Exits

Slumlord

Cat the Adversary

Bleed

Leave the Living

Ironstorm

Tyrant

Anvil

Elnora

Arrival of Autumn

Bleed

Ironstorm

Mortillery

Arrival of Autumn

Bleed

Clutch

Mastodon

Demise Without Reason

Touch

Apocalyptica

Riot City

Every Hour Kills

Neck of the Woods

Without Mercy

Begrime Exemious

Noire

Sparky

Untimely Demise

Into Eternity

Kobra and the Lotus

Great White Shark Fight

Revocation

Veil of Maya

Battlecross

Display of Decay

Black Breath

Goatwhore

Tyrant

Dieuponaday

Savage Playground

Wolfrik

Elements

Dusty Tucker

Bush Whacker

Galactic Pegasus

The Hallowed Catharsis

Neck of the Woods

Out of the Ruins

The Order of Chaos

Terrifier

Crimson Shadows

Odinfist

Eye of Odin

Stab.Twist.Pull

Dead Asylum

Planet Eater

Villainizer

Vesperia

Aggression

Cattle Decapitation

Sleep Demon

Tylor Dory Trio

Scythia

The Order of Chaos

Calling All Captains

Stab.Twist.Pull

Death Toll Rising

Striker

Calling all Captains

Sleeping In Traffic

Protosequence

Valyria

Great White Shark Fight

Death Toll Rising

Wolfrik

Young Empires

Gay Nineties

K-OS

Robert DeLong

St.Lucia

Kongos

TV on the Radio

Ellie Goulding

The Zolas

The Elwins

Eagles of Death Metal

Big Data

Tokyo Police Club

The Flaming Lips

Mother Mother

Tenacious D

ALEXISONFIRE

Display of Decay

The Agonist

AC/DC

Black Crown Initiate

Cattle Decapitation

Overkill

Cryptopsy

GWAR

Striker

Slipknot

Alan Doyle & the Beautiful Gypsies

Bare Naked Ladies

In Hearts Wake

Miss May I

Parkway Drive

The Weeknd

Monarch Sky

Alice Cooper

Motley Crue

Alice Cooper Shocks and Rocks Edmonton on Motley Crue Farewell Tour - December 12, 2015

Dana Zuk December 14, 2015

PHOTOGRAPHED FOR EXCLAIM.CA

What an excellent way to close off 2015! On Saturday December 12th, I ventured out to Rexall Place to catch the buzz on what was in store for the night. As my final concert shoot of the year, I found it only fitting to go out with a bang. Of course, the one and only, Alice Cooper and his talented band of shredders, were the perfect choice for closing the book on 2015, as they collectively warmed up the dancing feet and singing voices of Edmonton for rock 'n roll demigods, Motley Crue, on this, their farewell tour, and final concert in Edmonton.

Want to know more about the show?
Check out the official show review HERE!

The Weeknd Unleashes Bass and Melody on Edmonton Stop of The Madness Tour - November 30, 2015

Dana Zuk December 1, 2015

PHOTOGRAPHED FOR EXCLAIM.CA

R&B superstar, The Weeknd ,boomed and blasted his way though Edmonton on The Madness Fall Tour on Monday night, leaving his fans at Rexall Place dancing, singing along and screaming for more. After a few weeks of relaxation and, getting over a very nasty and persistent cold, it felt great to shake off the stir-craziness and get out of the house to shoot. I wasn't really sure of what to expect at this did, and despite not being much of an r&b fan, I had a great time catching The Weeknd in action! I'm definitely looking forward to catching more gigs like this in the future.

Want to know more about the show went?
Check out the live show review HERE!

Crowbar Breaks Open Edmonton for the First Time on Summer of Doom Tour - June 13, 2015

Dana Zuk June 16, 2015

OFFICIAL SHOW REVIEW FOR EXCLAIM.CA

On a dreary Saturday night in Edmonton, Crowbar were in town for the first time on their "Summer of Doom" tour, accompanied by Portland doom metal extraordinaires Lord Dying and Detroit thrash metal masters, Battlecross.

Kicking off the night, Lord Dying were loud and muddy, displaying an overwhelming amount of talent and engaging the crowd with occasional solos that pierced the veil of static in the monitors. Despite the sludgy sound, Lord Dying kept spirits high with a mix of their spellbinding music and friendly crowd banter, encouraging fans to get closer to the stage. Despite this being their first show in Edmonton, they'd won the crowd over by the end of their set, as evinced by the many bobbing heads and fists in the air throughout the Pawn Shop.

Next, show-stealers of the night Battlecross stormed the stage to lay down a gritty and thrash-y ten song set. Opening up strong with their hit "Push, Pull, Destroy," Battlecross had the house pumping with adrenaline, making the younger people in the crowd stampede around in an aggressive mosh pit. The band hammered through other classics like "Force Fed Lies" and "Beast" before treating the crowd to a brand new track, to be included on their forthcoming album, Rise to Power. It was a high point among many in Battlecross's performance, which made every day of the two year wait since they last performed in Edmonton well worth it.

Last, Crowbar hit the stage with force to play a 14-song set. As fans battled their wait to the front, frontman and guitarist Kirk Windstein greeted Edmonton by saying, "Good news is, we're from New Orleans... Bad news is, we're gonna kick your ass!" With cheeky smiles, the band immediately slammed into "Burn Your World," sending their audience into a frenzy of headbanging and fist-pumping. Over the rolling rumbles of Jeff Golden's bass lines and Tommy Buckley's kick drums, Windstein's crunchy and gritty voice soared as guitarist Matt Brunson began to pluck his strings to the familiar opening melody of Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter," as they dished out the heaviest cover that the Zep classic has ever seen. Closing off their set in style, Crowbar took the audience on a trip down memory lane to their self-titled album of 1993, playing the fan favourite track "High Rate Extinction." With smiles and a look of gratitude on their faces, Crowbar left the stage in high spirits as fans cheered and chanted loudly for more.

CROWBAR

LORD DYING

BATTLECROSS

CROWBAR

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