Some concerts are planned weeks in advance. Others come together with a simple phone call from a good friend.
After spending most of the day in the recording studio, I packed up my camera gear and headed across town for one of the summer’s biggest classic rock events as Chicago and Styx brought their co-headlining tour to Riverbend Music Center.
Before I even left the house, I had already spoken with my good friend, and Chicago crew member, Chris Franz. While we covered the usual logistics, our biggest challenge turned out to be answering life’s important question: Where are we going to eat?
Thankfully, Riverbend is only about twenty minutes from my house. I managed to beat the worst of the concert traffic, although Cincinnati’s evening rush still tried its best to slow me down.
When I arrived, I met Chris at the buses just after soundcheck. With limited time before showtime, we walked next door to the casino restaurant, ordered a couple of appetizers, and spent the next hour catching up. It felt like countless conversations musicians and crew members have every day while out on the road, equal parts work, friendship, and trying to squeeze in a meal before the lights go down.
Unfortunately, the restaurant never managed to get our food to the table. As packed as the place was, we finally admitted defeat and headed back to catering.
And… we probably came out ahead.
Waiting for us was an impressive spread featuring ribs, multiple sides, and enough desserts to test anyone’s willpower. I had every intention of showing some restraint.
Let’s just say I tried.
With dinner behind us, Chris headed off to prepare for the show while I made my way to the photo pit. After setting up my cameras, I caught up with security and a handful of photographers I’d worked alongside before. It’s one of my favorite parts of concert photography, the familiar faces behind the scenes that help make every show happen.
Then the house lights dropped.
The roar from the crowd was immediate as Chicago walked onto the stage.
There’s something remarkable about watching a band with nearly six decades of history continue to perform at such an incredibly high level. While the lineup has naturally evolved over the years, founding member Lee Loughnane still leads the charge alongside a lineup of exceptional musicians who honor the band’s remarkable legacy. Every horn section was razor sharp. Every harmony landed effortlessly. Every song sounded as timeless as the day it was recorded.
Chicago has always been difficult to categorize. They’re a rock band with horns, jazz influences, pop sensibilities, R&B grooves, and enough unforgettable melodies to fill multiple careers. That unique musical identity has helped them sell more than 100 million records worldwide and remain one of the most successful American bands in history.
None of that matters, though, if a band can’t still deliver live.
Chicago absolutely can.
The audience responded exactly as you’d expect. From the opening notes through the final encore, fans sang every lyric, danced in the aisles, and celebrated songs that have become part of the soundtrack of multiple generations. Despite the intense summer heat, nobody seemed interested in sitting down for very long.
As photographers, we’re typically limited to shooting the first three songs from the pit. Once that window closed, we were given the freedom to photograph throughout the venue, allowing me to experience the concert from several different perspectives.
One of the unexpected highlights of the evening wasn’t on stage, it was in the crowd.
I spent time talking with concertgoers throughout Riverbend, hearing stories about how many times they’d seen Chicago over the years, which songs meant the most to them, and why they continue coming back. I also met several new friends along the way, something that seems to happen whenever live music brings people together.
That’s one of the things I love most about this job.
Concerts aren’t just about the performers.
They’re about shared memories.
As the final notes faded into the warm Cincinnati night, I packed up my cameras and made one last stop backstage to thank Chris and the entire Chicago crew for their hospitality. Their generosity made the evening even more enjoyable, and I’m grateful for the invitation.
Then it was back home.
Because while the concert may have been over…
The night wasn’t.
There were photos waiting to be delivered, and another incredible show to relive one frame at a time.
Chicago has spent nearly sixty years proving that great songs never go out of style. Judging by Thursday night’s performance at Riverbend Music Center, neither has the band.
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