I am quite a big Daya fan and particularly love the electronic side to her music. She's been pretty quiet for the last five or so years so having the opporunity to see her live at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne was an enticing proposition. As always, the diminutive Pentax Q makes a great concert companion at these tiny live music venues.
As is my want, when I am truly motivated I try and make it to these small venues early and stake out a spot as close to the stage as possible. At the Corner Hotel you don't have allocated seating so if you arrive early you can get right up front and have a view you can only dream of at larger venues where you often end up looking at the screens rather than the actual performer.
Avoiding an over zealous bouncer or security guard is what makes the Pentax Q a perfect camera for live music gigs. It looks like a toy camera and at around 200g, its tiny size means you can take it anywhere.
Of course unallocated seating means that if you have managed to get up to the front of the stage you don't want to lose your spot. This means you do get somewhat restricted in the types of shots you can take as you can't move around the stage.
It is however a small price to pay to get a prime concert and photography spot.
I have to admit Daya has certainly shrunk down in size. I know in the entertainment industry there is so much pressure to have the right look. Daya was very skinny but according to her she is the happiest she has been in a long time so it's all up to her. Personally I found it a bit confronting how skinny she was but as long as it's her decision I am happy for her.
Daya made for quite the stage presence, especially given it was just her and her drummer playing. Thankfully any backing tracks weren't overly loud in volume and you could really hear her real live vocals. A far as singing goes she was very good and she was ever the communitative front women which is always great at a concert.
I was pleasantly surprised that Daya also played her keyboard and guitar at some stages that added variety to the show. This was definitely a highlight. As I didn't really have expectations before the show I could pretty much just enjoy it for what it is. I think this is a good mindset and something I'll have to keep in mind before other shows.
I'm so glad I made the effort to get tickets to Daya. There is something about a live concert that is special that can't be replicated by other forms of entertainment.
Any way I can't really complain. I think I got some pretty good memories plus it gives this little old camera a reason to be used.
And the final pic!
Daya on YouTube: If you've never heard of Daya here is a quick sampler from youtube.
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