Lindsey Stirling Concert Photography at Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall: the name alone evokes a sense of grandeur and musical history. As a concert photographer, I’ve long dreamed of capturing a performance in this iconic venue, and Lindsey Stirling’s recent show finally gave me that chance. With my camera in hand, I stepped into the 6000+ seat atrium, ready to add this legendary space to my portfolio alongside Madison Square Garden, Terminal 5, Webster Hall, Brooklyn Mirage, and Forest Hills Stadium.
Unique Challenges of A Dream Venue
Photographing at Radio City presented its own unique challenges. Unlike most venues where photographers can stand in the photo pit for the first three songs, here I found myself on my knees in the aisle of the pit section, with patrons seated right up to the stage. Note to self: bring knee pads next time! Despite the unconventional setup, I was determined to capture Stirling’s magic. She moves around so quickly on stage though that a lot of my photos were blurry even with a shutterspeed at 1/320!
Camera Gear Choice for the Night
Increasingly, my go-to lens for concert photography is my Sony 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS lens. Its telephoto capabilities, combined with the optical stabilization, proved invaluable from the distance I was at. It allowed me to capture crisp, detailed shots of Stirling’s intricate fingerwork on the violin, even from my less-than-ideal position.
Lindsey Stirling: A Musical Phenomenon
The excitement was palpable as Stirling took the stage for her 2024 North American Duality Tour. From the get-go, it was clear why she’s become such a unique force in music. Her blend of classical violin skills with modern dance, electronic beats, and even Celtic melodies creates an experience that’s hard to categorize but impossible to forget.
The setlist was a journey through Stirling’s musical evolution, featuring both fan favorites and tracks from her latest album, “Duality.” She opened with “Eye Of The Untold Her,” which has become another social media viral sensation. This whimsical track explores the theme of following intuition over fear and strikes a chord (no pun intended). Her rendition of Carol of the Bells is a song I’ve previously used on one of my Instagram Reels during the holidays and it went viral.
A Story of Perseverance
Watching Stirling perform, I couldn’t help but think about her journey. Part of her story is that the judges on “America’s Got Talent” told her that she wouldn’t succeed as a solo violinist. Instead of letting those words define her, she chose to listen to her inner voice. As someone who’s faced constant rejection in my own creative pursuits, Stirling’s story of perseverance resonates deeply. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the most important voice to listen to is your own.
Unparalleled Showmanship
Stirling’s showmanship is unparalleled. She doesn’t just play the violin; she becomes one with it. Whether she’s spinning across the stage or suspended in midair, her music never falters. It’s a testament to her incredible skill and dedication. The highlight of the night came when Stirling brought out Gloria Gaynor for a surprise duet of “I Will Survive.”
Reflections of a Concert Photographer
As I packed up my camera gear at the end of the night, my knees were a bit sore, but I felt inspired. Lindsey Stirling doesn’t just put on a concert; she creates an experience that challenges what we think is possible in live music. It’s performances like these that remind me why I love concert photography – the chance to capture moments of pure artistic magic, even when it means getting a little uncomfortable in the process.
To learn how to break into concert photography I wrote tips on how to get started and you can read what camera gear I use for concerts.
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