Hot Start in the Boston Music Scene
We parked on the bustling streets of Boston. New England weather has been in full force, yet the excitement and creeping nervousness hiding within a talented rhythm guitarist keeps the air warm around him. I follow behind into a quiet building, screaming with history. Walking into the vintage looking venue, I hear faint echoes coming from a once grungy Nirvana, and whispers of the great Elliott Smith.
Luke Gonyea, the rhythm guitarist, is playing his first show with the band, Hot Start. They have played in the past, but after speaking with the bassist Rob Sullivan, and lead guitarist Max Macort, this show was one of their biggest to date. I had a chance to have a long discussion with Luke about the venue and the opportunity to play at such a historic location. “I’ve only really played one show before this, and it was at my college graduation with the band Easy Honey”. To me, I thought this must be nerve-wracking for him. He told me was nervous, but after hearing Luke play during sound-check, I knew that he would be just fine.
An hour past sound check, I quietly sat with the band as they made some last-minute adjustments to the set-list. They discussed playfully, yet filled with tension as they eagerly awaited show-time. They were a warm band of people to be surrounded by. Their energy remained positive, their chemistry was building before my eyes. I knew they were bound to shock the Middle East Club.
As I watched them take the stage, I heard the crowd filled with fans, friends, family, and newcomers shouting behind me. I look behind me to gaze at the audience, only being able to see the first few rows of people. The sound of the bass guitar and kick drum zipped my eyes back to the stage where the band began their first song.
As the set went on, playing covers by The Backseat Lovers, The Strokes, and other notable bands, the crowd was extremely engaged. The tone of their instruments filled the venue to the brim with energy. The crowd roared as they played their last note, and the set concluded. Personally, I was blown away. It was not just because of their performance, but the whole experience of being able to visualize the culture of live music, being engulfed in their sound, and being able to share that experience with not only the people in that venue, but also people around the world through my lens.
This experience has further inspired my newest project, a photo-journalistic style book that I will be developing called “Sights to Hear.” It will aim to visualize the culture of live music through concerts, festivals, and tours. This book will capture the perspective not only from myself, but the audience, fans, and the bands themselves.
