Concerts

Best Concert Photos of 2014

Spoon Performs at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Another year, another 90+ photo assignments! 2014 was another great year for me photography-wise. The Washington Post kept me busy, sending me to multiple concerts each week and I picked up a few new clients, including Swim Bike Run Photo, who allowed me to join their excellent group of race photographers. I landed  magazine placements in GQ, Arlington Magazine, DC Modern Luxury and a few more. But the thing I was most proud of this year was landing two photos that will be on permanent display in Chuck Brown Park in Northeast D.C. I was first approached about having my photos used as part of the park more than two years ago, so it was very satisfying to see it all come to fruition. Looking back through my archives, I realize I never did a proper post on my photos in the park, so I’ll get that done as soon as I can. Until then, you can see one of my photos in the background in the top photo  here.

Obviously I am looking forward to bigger and better things in 2015, my 9th (!!!!) year shooting concerts in D.C. Man, time flies. I appreciate everyone coming along for the ride with me. So without further ado, here are my favorite concert photos of 2014.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 10th, 2014 - Miley Cyrus performs with a life-sized puppet of Big Sean as she sings "Love Money Party" at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. as part of her Bangerz Tour. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson / For The Washington Post) (Kyle Gustafson/For The Washington Post)

1) Miley Cyrus @ Verizon Center – This seriously might be one of the best concert photos I’ve ever taken. This show was incredible, a photographer’s dream.When this scene was unfolding, I was praying I could get everything framed properly with my 300mm/2.8 and I was just able to get the Big Sean puppet’s hands in the frame. This photo has it all – Miley’s ass crack, dollar bills flying through the air, a green Caddy and a Parental Advisory sticker in the background.

BRISTOW, VA - May 30th 2014 - Luke Bryan performs at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA. Bryan's 2013 album, Crash My Party, has sold over 1.8 million copies in the U.S. and was the third best selling album of 2013. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson / For The Washington Post) (Kyle Gustafson/For The Washington Post)

2) Luke Bryan @ Jiffy Lube Live – Luke Bryan is always a fun shoot, he’s energetic and really engages with the crowd. We were at the end of a long T-shaped stage extension when I shot this and I got the timing perfect as he tossed the mic from one hand to the other.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 9th, 2014 - Johnny Marr performs at the 9:30 Club during his Playland tour. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson / For the 9:30 Club) (Photo by Kyle Gustafson)

3) Johnny Marr @ 9:30 Club – This photo is my everything.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 24, 2014 - 2 Chainz performs at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson / www.kylegutafson.com) (Photo by Kyle Gustafson)

4) 2 Chainz @ 9:30 Club – 2 CHAINZ!! When I shot this photo I was worried it wouldn’t work because I was a little too far to the left of 2 Chainz to frame him properly, but it totally works because he’s looking out over my head into the crowd.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 1st, 2014 - Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent, performs at the first of two sold-out nights at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. Earlier this week, she released her self-titled fourth studio album to great critical acclaim. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson / For The Washington Post) (Kyle Gustafson/For The Washington Post)
5) St. Vincent @ 9:30 Club –  Easily the most visually interesting club show I saw this year. Dramatic lighting and an electric performance. There were so many photos to choose from from this show but I like the lighting and the moment best on this one.

WASHINGTON, DC - August 23rd, 2014 - Local rapper Fat Trel performs at the 3rd annual Trillectro Music Festival at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson / For The Washington Post) (Kyle Gustafson/For The Washington Post)

6) Fat Trel @ Trillectro – I’ve shot local rapper Fat Trel multiple times over the last two years and he’s always good for a few portfolio worthy shots per show. Here is this year’s. He was one of the early acts at Trillectro and he ventured out into the crowd (with his entire crew) when he needed to get things turnt up.

FAIRFAX, VA - February 28th, 2014 - Old Crow Medicine SHow perform at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA, opening for The Avett Brothers. (photo by Kyle Gustafson) (Kyle Gustafson)

7) Old Crow Medicine Show @ Patriot Center – These guys put on a great show opening for The Avett Bros. I really like the colors and the framing in this shot. The broken bow string is a nice addition.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 12th, 2014 - Rapper Rick Ross performs at Echostage in Washington, D.C. Ross released his sixth album, Mastermind, in March.  (Photo by Kyle Gustafson / For The Washington Post) (Kyle Gustafson/For The Washington Post)

8) Rick Ross @ Echostage – Just the perfect hip-hop photo. Ross posing with his ice on, with the Ciroc promo and the obligatory random person in the background messing around on their phone.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 3rd, 2014 - Britt Daniel of Spoon performs during the second of three sold-out nights at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson / WAMU) (Photo by Kyle Gustafson)

9) Spoon @ Lincoln Theatre (Night #2) – This is Britt Daniels’ guitar move. I know I wanted a good photo of it during these shows but it took me two nights to get it. The lights on the first night didn’t cooperate. I love the very faint frame within a frame that Britt is standing in.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 13, 2014 - Enrique Iglesias performs at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. as part of his co-headlining tour with Pitbull. The two acts have recorded songs together, including Iglesias' hit  "I Like It" and Pitbull's "Tchu Tchu Tcha". (Photo by Kyle Gustafson / For The Washington post) (Kyle Gustafson/For The Washington Post)

10) Enrique Iglesias @ Verizon Center – Enrique is generally very boring to shoot as he doesn’t move around much, so I was trying to do something different when I went wide and the lights cooperated.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 15th, 2014 - Charli XCX performs onstage during HOT 99.5's Jingle Ball 2014 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Her third studio album, Sucker, was released today. (Photo By Kyle Gustafson / For The Washington Post) (Kyle Gustafson/For The Washington Post)

11) Charli XCX @ 2014 Jingle Ball – Another shot where I went wider and the background and lighting cooperated. The row of lights by Charli’s elbow spent most of the night pointing directly into my lens, so I was thankful most of them took a quick timeout for me to grab this frame.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 13, 2014 - Pitbull performs at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The rapper, who's hits include the #1 singles "Give Me Everything" and "Timber", will release his eighth studio album, later this year. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson / For The Washington post) (Kyle Gustafson/For The Washington Post)

12) Pitbull @ Verizon Center – All respect to Mr. Worldwide, but I find this photo deeply troubling, bordering on nightmare fuel.

Check out my Top 50 concert photos in the slideshow below. Quite a year! I’m really looking forward to 2015. My resolution for the year is to hit a few festivals this year. I’ve stuck to the local fests for a few years and I am itching to make a few road trips and hit up some different cities.


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