Stage

2024 WOODSTOCK TRUCK SHOW

May 27, 2024 in Concert Photography

If you’ve been following me for awhile then you know about the Woodstock Truck Show. This year was the 10th anniversary and for the first time it was 2 days! Sadly, for me, Friday I couldn’t make it out because of work so I missed out on my good friend Aaron Allen and his wife Aimee and their amazing bandmates as well as Danielle Bourjeaurd and headliners The Road Hammers. From the video’s I’ve seen and what I’ve heard from people who where there it was a fantastic night!

Saturday, Day 2, it was game on! I was charged up and ready to go.. woke up excited and looked out the window .. Rain.. lots of rain.. grey skies, thunder, lightning… my heart sunk. Thankfully after looking at the weather app it was showing the rain would stop just before the show was scheduled to start. What is the Woodstock Truck Show? well, it’s a festival the has a bunch of big trucks, we’re talking semi-trucks all waxed and shined up on display and there is a big competition for the nicest truck.

why trucks?
well, Scott Verbruggen, the man of the hour who created the truck show and works tirelessly to put it on, he comes from the Trucking world, his family has a trucking business and all his connections are in trucking, so why not have this amazing event to showcase all the trucks and the people who drive them and supply us with food, goods, fuel etc…

What is the purpose of the the truck show?
This incredible event raises a lot of money for some incredible causes: The Special Olympics Woodstock as well as Woodstock and District Developmental Services (WDDS) ALL PROCEEDS go back into the community. This event can’t happen without all the sponsors who donate funds to make this all come together, sponsors like: Brandt, Contrans, Skillex Inc., J. Verbruggen Trucking LTD., Vision Truck Group, MACK, Rhino Truck Lube Centers, Laurel Steel, KTC, Truck Centric, Orkin, Driverette, Titan Tarp and more! in the past 10 years the show and calendar comp has raised over $150,000 for these charities which is incredible!

Back you Saturday! The line-up was stacked! opening the show was Jenna Kayln (stage name) who you might have seen blow up on TikTok with her Female perspective version of Zack Bryan’s “ Something In The Orange “. For those who don’t know.. Jenna is a Woodstonian (from Woodstock). Jenna played a few covers and a few of her original songs and of course, her version of Something In The Orange.

Deborah Lynn Music hit the stage all the way from Stirling Ontario she has worked Aaron Allen writing music and Aaron has produced some of her songs as well, she has opened for Jade Eagleson and will be opening for Tyler Joe Miller very soon. What an outstanding performance Deborah gave us all, took right off into her set and looked so comfortable on stage.

Colt McLauchlin This guy came out of no where, I hadn’t heard his music before to be honest, I listened to a song or two before the show and was impressed, really wanted to see what he had live and he did not disappoint! All smiles up on that stage singing his heart out for the crowd, song after song a flawless performance. Colt comes from just outside of Petrolia Ontario, raised on a farm so you know country music is in his veins. Colt has performed on some very well known Nashville stages such as: Margaritaville, Rippy’s, Legends, Tootsies, Dierks Bentleys Whiskey Row and even Alan Jackson’s Bar.

Nate Haller .. I’m guessing this guy needs no introduction.. you know.. Nate Haller.. you’ve heard his songs on the radio, born and raised right down the highway in Waterloo Ontario, Canada! If Nate looks familiar and you can’t quite place it, well it’s probably from when he spent a few years in another band I’m sure you know.. a brother and sister combo known as THE REKLAWS. Nate broke out on his own writing hit after hit, his first big song ( one of my personal favs) Lightning In A Bottle. He’s played to a sold out crowd at the Calgary Stampede and Budweiser Stage in Toronto. Nate put on one heck of a show in Woodstock and had a fun time while doing so, even trading hats with a fan, realizing quickly that hat was soaked because of the warm weather lol.

Madeline Merlo - Headliner for the night! Madeline does not need an introduction either, she’s very well known, originally from Maple Ridge, British Columbia and now resides in Nashville. You know her songs, they’ve been all over the radio: Champagne Night, Dear Me, Tim + Faith, Makeup, Neon Love, Motel Flamingo, War Paint and many more. Madeline even did backing vocals on Cole Swindell’s Single “ She Had Me at Heads Carolina “. Such a great night ending off with Madeline under the stars in Woodstock listening to her and her band rock out bringing endless smiles to everyone in attendance.

HUGE THANK YOU! goes out to the Woodstock Truck Show, all the Sponsors, the volountee’s, the vendors, Scott and his team for bringing all this together and their endless hard work on bringing something so incredible to little Woodstock and of course all the bands who write these songs and come out to perform. I look forward to this event every single year… Lets get to the concert photos!

JENNA KAYLN

DEBORAH LYNN MUSIC

COLT McLAUCHLIN

NATE HALLER

MADELINE MERLO

JUDAS PRIEST WITH SAXON & BLACK STAR RIDER

March 29, 2018

When I heard Judas Priest was coming to London there was no doubt in my mind I was going to apply to photograph this concert, it was however a doubt in my mind that I would get approval, but thanks to the beautiful people over Live Nation, approval happened.
Not really knowing who Black Star Riders was Google educated me a bit and a few of the members were in the band Thin Lizzy, which is pretty awesome. Black Star Riders hit the stage as the openers and were amazing! great sound, loud and all metal. Next up SAXON... UK's massive Metal band formed in 1977 with multiple hits.. let me tell you, they ripped the stage up with so much power, so loud and so much energy. I will be the first to admit, I did not know much about SAXON as I don't really listen to that kind of music but being there and seeing some Metal Music History still rocking out and sounding exactly like they did back in the 80's, just incredible to witness and photograph.

JUDAS PRIEST: Standing stage side listening to random people yell, scream and whistle out waiting for the band to hit the stage, I wasn't to sure what to expect. Honestly the first thing I thought about was " There's a massive sheet covering the entire stage and I know it's going to fall... do we go in the pit before it falls or after? if before is it going to fall on us and how long will it take for them to remove it before we can see the band and shoot " .... We were told we can go into the pit.... the sheet had not fallen yet.. hmmmm... ok so the lights dim, you can see colours changing behind the sheet, I could hear movement... guitars ring out and BAM!!!! the sheet drops then somehow blows off to the side of the stage very quick.. barely even touched me except for the tail end that slapped me in the face lol. There they were, Judas Priest right there on stage rocking out. Standing there taking pics, now the only thing going through my head is how many of the old great concert photographers have been right in this spot taking these images... on film.. which is insane to think about.. and now here I am doing the same thing, it's incredible. This show had amazing lighting, so much light it was tough finding exposure with it constantly changing. One guitarist with aviators on was all over the place, back and forth, up on speakers, throwing the guitar around quite a bit, so much fun to photograph and I'll be honest here, he was my main focus just because of how much action he was throwing out there. Over all this was an incredible experience, great performances by all 3 bands, I was thoroughly captivated by each band and what they were putting out for everyone. So if you're thinking about hitting one of the tour dates on the rest of this tour... don't think to long, you won't be disappointed. GO!

Big thanks goes out to Live Nation for the approval, allowing me the opportunity to photograph this concert. Also, big thanks goes out to Budweiser Gardens in London On. Canada for the great as always hospitality.

- Shutter Click.

JUDAS PRIEST

SAXON

BLACK STAR RIDERS

A Night With Colin James

August 20, 2017

Colin Freakin' James!

Colin was brought to Woodstock last year for the Cowapalooza Festival in Woodstock Ontario, Canada, but sadly.. he never made it on stage because mother nature decided to flood the park with a torrential down pour. Summer 2017, Colin James was asked to come back and come back he did! With clear skies, a beauty summers night, stars out and all, Colin hit the stage with powerful guitar solos, deep bass lines, technical drumming, some outstanding keyboard work and of course some powerful, strong vocals that blew me away.

With no media pass (which wasn't required anyways because it was a FREE, yes.. FREE concert in a public park ) I had to shoot from the crowd which was fine at first.. but pretty much after the first song everyone moved up and it got tight quick. Bobbing around peoples melons Colin made it pretty easy to get the shots using up all areas of the stage to put on an amazing performance. If you haven't seen Colin James, haven't heard of him even.. get out to a show, you won't be disappointed at all. - Shutter Click.

Colin JamesCowapalooza Festival 2017Woodstock On, Canada. — Colin James
Cowapalooza Festival 2017
Woodstock On, Canada.

RAWartists: PANORAMA showcase

June 24, 2014

June 19th, 2014 I was a part of the RAWartists network in Toronto On. displaying my photography. RAW is a group thats all about art, all forms of art (painting, live performances and music, photography, jewelry making, drawing etc... any art form). They come together all over the world allowing artists to apply and show off their work and network. You can sell your work at the show and they do not take a commission, which is pretty awesome of them. If you're interested in becoming a RAWartist or simply just want to read up on them to see what they're about, here's a link to their site: www.rawartists.org

I wasn't to sure what to expect from RAW.. I was new to it, had only heard about it through another photographer on Facebook from my area a few weeks before I decided to go for it. I'm a quiet, shy kind of person, I don't do well in large social interaction, but 2014 for me was all about stepping out of comfort zone, putting myself and my work out there, meeting new people who love what I love and RAW showed up in my path, so why not jump in?!
   Let's skip ahead to the night of the show. I had to be in Toronto by 2pm to set up my display, it was a 2 hour drive, but I got there fine and on time, actually about an hour early. I went inside and saw the fencing where I was going to be displaying my work, excited, nervous, anxious and a little tired as I didn't sleep much the night before... I took my work out of the box I had brought it in and started to place my work. After an agonizing 15 minutes, my work was up and looking quite good if I do say so myself!
   I took a minute to check out the work that was hanging to the right and left of me and on my right, who's work was hanging there? None other than Tina Picard - Toronto based fashion photographer! I was blown away because I just found out about Tina maybe 3 weeks prior to the show and fell in love with it right away. I couldn't believe that my work was displayed beside hers, I was pumped but also feeling a little unworthy. I want you all to check out Tina's work, it's outstanding: TINA PICARD: FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER

7pm: It's show time!
   Ok... so I was a little late for doors open ha! but you have to be a little fashionably late, right? Actually my buddy Jeremy and I took off down town T.O. to hit the Ripley's Aquarium and get some food, it took a little longer than expected because it was such an awesome place to look around and get some shots. We made it back, I went to my show space and hung out for a bit until Tina walked up :) .... eeeeek, we talked for a bit and then people starting coming in and looking around. Right away I was in deep, talking to random people I didn't know, asking all kinds of questions about my work and style but surprisingly, I did alright.. I didn't throw up on anyone which was my biggest goal of the entire night.
I was actually surprised at how many people showed up to the event, the place was packed. I lost track of time, but not to long after people came in and looked around our RAW presenter jumped up on stage and got the show started. We had: 3 live fashion shows, a hand full of live bands, a guy who spit fire all over the place ( which was amazing.. I could feel the heat on my face and I was about 20 feet from the stage)... such an amazing display of talent.
Anyways.. i'm sure you just want to see pics.... and to those of you who actually read all of this... you're an amazing person lol..... oh PS, the images aren't amazing... I was there to show my work not shoot the event.. I just took these shots to give you a little feel of the night. - Shutter Click.

A model struts the runway at RAW displaying a hand made by Love, Poetry Corsets

A warrior model comes out strong to strut the runway at RAW looking fierce

Warrior model striking a pose with her sward on stage at RAW

Second Warrior model with her flaming sword striking a pose at RAW

Male model sporting his warrior wear on stage at RAW

Fenyx Fyre on stage at RAW blowing out a huge fire ball! what an amazing act.

Fenyx Fyre holding a fire ball on his chest live on the RAW stage.

Fenyx Fyre displaying another fire ball, which he is licking on the RAW stage

Fenyx Fyre Blowing out a giant cloud of fire on the RAW stage.

Lucky Widmore rocking out on stage at RAW, these guys have an awesome sound. loved them.

Over all view from the top floor at RAW. So many people showed up, so many great artists... I had a great night and grateful to be apart of the RAW family. Moral of the story, step out of your comfort zone and do something that scares you, great thi… — Over all view from the top floor at RAW. So many people showed up, so many great artists... I had a great night and grateful to be apart of the RAW family. Moral of the story, step out of your comfort zone and do something that scares you, great things come from it and you will feel more alive. Life starts when you're out of your comfort zone. Thank you RAW!

Cowapolooza: THE MUSIC Pt. 2

August 18, 2013

Hope you had a chance to check out Part 1 of this blog which was focused on the first band of the night: AFTER THE LOUNGE. They are an amazing rock band!

Part 2 is all about THUNDERSTRUCK! Canada's best AC/DC cover band. Apparently they had played cowapolooza about 4 years about, but honestly, I didn't attend any of the Cowapolooza festivals until 2 years ago so I missed out, and I'm pretty bummed out that I didn't go earlier because i've been missing out. THUNDERSTRUCK is simply outstanding! They look the part and definitely do AC/DC justice. I've always wanted to see AC/DC live, but now they don't tour anymore.. well, accept in Australia but I don't have any plans on going there .. yet. Thunderstruck just blew my mind with how dead on they are with their covers, their outfits and their stage presents!

If you ever get the chance to see these guys play in a city, town, village near you, GO!!!! If you love AC/DC then you will love Thunderstruck because they are the next best thing.

Shutter Click!

© Kevin Vyse PhotographyAll rights reserved 2013 — © Kevin Vyse Photography
All rights reserved 2013

Cowapolooza Festival: THE MUSIC Pt.1

August 17, 2013

A beautiful, warm summer night in August, the sun is setting, the stage is up, people are buzzing all around. Guitars squealing, drums pounding, bass rattling chests and vocals blaring in your ears.

This was the experience you had if you were in Woodstock Ontario, Canada on Friday August 16th 2013. Cowapolooza is a festival that Woodstock puts on every year, full of music, vendors of all sorts, buskers, and small rides for the kids. Held in South Side Park, hundreds of people gather to experience this two day event, and as you can guess, the bands are what drive me to attend each year. In the past we've had acts such as: April Wine, The Stampeders, Thunderstruck ( Canada's best AC/DC cover band), and The Beagles ( A Beatles cover band ). This year Thunderstruck came back to join us and rock out the best AC/DC covers I've ever heard... a band that definitely doesn't disappoint and leaves you wanting more, as well as the band After The Lounge, London Ontario's favourite rock band with an original sound that grabs you hard and blows you away.

I suggest you check out both of these bands and get to a show near you to get the full experience.

AFTER THE LOUNGE: http://www.afterthelounge.com

THUNDERSTRUCK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thunderstruck/16277603667

Facebook was the only webpage I could find on these guys but they're from Toronto and just blew me away with their covers... they are dead on and have an amazing stage presence.

this blog Pt. 1 ... are the images of AFTER THE LOUNGE.
i'm still editing Thunderstrucks images, but they will be posted ASAP.

Shutter Click.