I Photographed Red Hot Chili Peppers At Riverbend Music Center July 2024

When I saw that the Red Hot Chili Peppers were coming to Riverbend Music Center, I immediately contacted the publication for which I shoot concerts. I was on the list for months leading up to the July 2024 Cincinnati concert.  A few days before the concert I received approval from Riverbend and the band’s management, saying I could photograph the show.  It was to be three songs from the pit. Now I just had to wait until the show date.

I am not a RHCP super fan, but I do love their music.  It was hard to contain my excitement for this show.  When I arrived, I received a follow-up email saying we were to shoot from the soundboard instead of the pit.  This was a disappointment, but I was still going to photograph the Chili Peppers. I always come prepare to shoot up close or from a distance. Many times the assigned area changes from pit to soundboard. I have never photographed a show where we were supposed to be at FOH and ended up in the pit.

When the show started, we shot the first three songs of the showing including a fast-building intro by Flea and Chad Smith.  It was a great way to start the show.  Throughout the first three songs, Chad was the most animated.  Flea’s playing style has him hunched over playing the base.  There was the occasional look at the crowd.  Anthony Keidis was not well-lit and was hobbling around the stage with a lower-leg boot. Due this injury, the show wasn’t as energy filled as I had hoped. It was still great seeing them in person and an honor to photograph them.

The show was outstanding, and the band played together as tight as I’ve ever heard.