Backstage At Bluesfest With The Music Photographer Dave Kan

8 April 2016 | 9:51 am | Staff Writer

See candid portraits of Graham Nash, Noel Gallagher, Vintage Trouble & more

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It's no real secret that we're big fans of live music, and the tireless, week-in, week-out work of The Music's cohort of talented photographers plays a massive part in our ability to comprehensively capture the energy of gigs and festivals alike.

But it's not always the mid-show snaps that speak volumes about the subjects they enshrine. Sometimes it's moments of stillness and quietude away from the stage that especially reinforce the notion that photographs are a way to preserve someone's soul.

One of our stalwart snappers, Dave Kan, is evidently keenly aware of this fact, and he capitalised on it by going outside the box and chasing down the opportunity to sit for a series of candid, backstage portraits with a selection of artists at Byron Bay's recent Bluesfest event, including the likes of Sahara BeckGraham NashNoel Gallagher, Steve Smyth and more.

"I wanted to create something intimate in addition to capturing the fast-paced onstage action of the festival," Kan says. "I decided to attempt a series of artist portraits, and with the help of a few awesome people I was able to make it happen!

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"To give the portraits a unique look, the majority were shot in medium format on black and white film, which I later developed by hand."

You can exclusively enjoy the fruits of Kan's labour of love, and take a look at the gorgeous finished products with accompanying commentary, below.

For more of Dave's work, see his website, or catch him on Facebook and Instagram.


 

1. Ziek McCarter of Con Brio, with a friend. I ran into Ziek by chance and asked him for a quick photo. The solitary floodlight above us wasn’t the easiest thing to work with, but the harsh contrast added character to the shot.

2. Fellow Brisbanite Sahara Beck. Sahara had just finished an interview when she kindly posed for my camera. One of the most happy and vibrant characters I came across at Bluesfest.

3. Graham Nash. A photographer as well as a musical legend, Graham took an immediate interest in my camera; “Wow, how big are the negatives from that thing!?” Needless to say, I was pretty stoked!

4. Allen Stone. All-round top bloke. As I was considering how to set up the photo, Allen struck this pose. All I had to do was move the light a little. I wish I could take more credit for this one!

5. Ash Grunwald looking cool as a cucumber after his set on day five. Ash was super easy-going and right at home at Bluesfest. The soft, overcast light worked well for this image.

6. Steve Smyth. I asked Steve to pick up a guitar and take a seat in one of the caravans on site. As he was playing, I lit him with a directional light and framed him through the doorway.

7. Vintage Trouble. These guys know how to put on a show! Frontman Ty Taylor insisted we do this shot right before they headed to the stage, for maximum effect. I found a natural background to emphasise their dapper outfits and snapped away.

8. Noel Gallagher. I got this shot of the legendary Oasis guitarist when he was being wired up for an interview. He was happy enough to send me a quick smirk while he waited. Another one off the bucket list!