Dusting off the LIVE Concert Photography for Ashley for the Arts!
Over 60,000 people traveled to Ashley for the Arts festival in Arcadia, Wisconsin last weekend, and I was one of them. Feeling a bit rusty, I hadn’t covered any large events since March 2020, but on Friday the 13th of August, it was a beautiful 75 degree day to get out and shoot some concert photography, and I was excited to dust off the LIVE show cobwebs and jump into the photo pit, front and center.
I arrived in the late afternoon, showing up just in time for Foreigner to hit the stage, as I dialed in my camera settings, anxiously waiting to see the hit group I remember my parents listening to as a kid, hot air balloons lifted to the sky beyond the stage as fest-goers took in the concert experience they had waited far too long for. Later the crowd rallied for beloved country artists Kip Moore and Toby Keith.
Another highlight was Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s Them Coulee Boys, kicking things off Saturday afternoon with songs from their brand new album “Namesake”. “I won’t be defined by who I am when I am weak,” rang through the crowd, sung by Soren Staff, after taking a moment to discuss the importance of caring for your loved ones and their mental health. Next, Clare Dunn brought a Nashville based country sound that resonated with fans as they sang along with her catchy hooks. One lucky young fan even experienced the moment of a lifetime when Switchfoot’s lead singer pulled him on stage to showcase the sign the young fan had made. Later that evening, Barenaked Ladies and Little Big Town headlined as Ashley for the Arts 2021 wrapped up after a year’s absence.
Arcadia, Wisconsin is home to Ashley Furniture HomeStore, one of the world’s largest furniture manufacturers, and Soldiers Walk Memorial Park is the largest memorial park in the U.S., outside of Washington, D.C.
Dylan Overhouse
Concert Photography/Videography. Commercial Video.
My name is Dylan Overhouse. I am a filmmaker with a degree in Visual Communications. While I am currently based out of La Crosse, Wisconsin, I am happy to travel for work, and eager to see the world. My passion lies in visual story telling, photography, cinematography, and music.
About La Crosse Local
La Crosse Local is an arts, food, and entertainment podcast and publication for La Crosse County and its surrounding communities.
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