Neffex Born a Rockstar World Tour 23

 November 30, 2023 (although it all started awhile ago)

On Thursday, I had the honor and pleasure of being a local freelance photography at the Neffex Born a Rockstar World Tour in Cleveland, OH. That is the culmination of the story.

It all began about a two months ago (for my son, this is a journey that began pre-Covid). My son is a big fan of the artist Neffex. I know... who is Neffex. Well, he is an awesome guy who set out to be a rockstar by leaving a 9-5 job and just starting to write music. Even Spotify can not determine is genre, but he has a very eclectic fan base, which primarily became gamers, but has grown since then. Why gamers you may ask? Well, his music in copyright free. He encourages fans to use it, and the games were the first to do is because it is pretty awesome for montages and fight signs to be blunt... he has some rap, some hip-hop, some pop, and some rock. He really is a combo, but his message is all the same... be you at all costs... no matter what it takes - no matter what people tell you - no matter what gets in your way! And most importantly, do it YOUR WAY (when he sings it, of course the song is "My Way", but we all know what the message is here.

My son was able to get VIP tickets during pre-sale for his Cleveland, OH show which was all thanks to his girlfriend who had better luck with getting the sale platform (which will remain unnamed). He talked about this tour and was so hyped because Neffex is his number one favorite of all time. He is often on discord and many other social media accounts. On Twitter, he saw an application for local photographers to come to the show and take photos alongside the professional photographers. He asked me if I wanted to apply. I didn't hesitate and said
yes. At this point, I would not say I was a fan. I heard him play the music, but never really listened myself. I told him we will let the universe decide if it works out. That of course was not acceptable to my son, so he got on discord when Bryce (Neffex's real name) was on and was able to get a question in the queue to ask him. He was the last question and he sacrificed it ask about the photo applications. By some weird miracle, he gave my son the go ahead to send an email the tour email, who then (Bryce actually) forwarded it to his manager and my journey began. 

This next part happened quickly. I at first reached out and asked him to look for my application and pretty much left it at that. A week or so went by with no response. I decided to give a little nudge, just like my son had. I, however knew, my son wanting me to do it was not a
enough. I needed to be have an understanding of Neffex's music. I started listening to his Tour Playlist on Spotify. After one run through, I was absolutely and completely hooked. Now, this is my mission because I really want to do it. I ended up writing a page and a half email to Neffex's manager explaining why I should absolutely get this opportunity. I explained how much his music spoke to me and my belief in Photo Documentation/Storytelling not just taking photos. Within an hour I was in. Now.... the much anticipated wait of a month!

I had never taken concert photos before (which I was honest about), but I had done school dances, so it isn't much different since it was a smaller venue. However, the last time I shot at the school dance, my camera and I had a parting in vision. I couldn't get to do what I wanted it to do in the lighting, so my anxiety was a little haywire. I just kept telling myself that I only

needed one! Sp0iler alert... I was able to get 50 show pics and about 30 candids so I did just a little better than that!

Since I didn't have a ticket and the sold was sold out, I had to have a hope and a pray, I would "be on the list" as promised. OMG! Can you believe it... I have never been on a list before. Part of my couldn't wait to quote Annie Delvey, "I'm on the list. Don't you know who I am?" Fast forward some neurotic worrying and the day arrives.

We get to the concert and my son insisted on being there SUPER early because wanted to be first in line... in fact he was twice. The first time we wait, we got harassed from a kid on the
street, and I went to the close by bowling alley to wait out some time. He got antsy quickly, so he returned to the unopened venue to wait... most definitely first in line, which he ended up meeting the manager and the two professional photographers. He was even interviewed.

Long story short... as the time got closer, I absolutely was nervous about being "on the list". I had asked and there wasn't a list yet. They wouldn't let any of us in, and I was upfront of the VIP line claiming to be "on the list" and getting nervous about it. I had the manager's cell, so
I texted him (what did I have to lose... see what happens!). Not five minutes later, I was called in by my first time to tell my tickets and pass was ready. My son told me all the people standing in line with him were impressed! I was "the real deal". Once inside, I had to fill out paperwork I had never done before without a company or a publicist, but I must have done it close enough... I got a photo pass from the venue, then the manager handed me a media lanyard... I was way good now!

Then the journey began... once I get a camera in my hand I am locked in (I know it makes me sound woke, but that it is an accurate term here, so I can use it. Some my Gen Z son told me). I actually was early enough, I ever got a shot of him walking in the front door! The documented the VIPs and their Meet and Greet. I tucked myself up in the corner behind the barricade as the time for General Admission grew closer. I was up there with the professional photographers and they were absolutely so nice to me... everyone was so respectful of me and loved that my son was a VIP at the concert. In fact, he was center stage with no barricade. He actually ended up closer than me!

My son drew a picture of Neffex which was able to give to him and two prints of his drawing he got signed (on for each of us) as well as quite a few other things. Bryce loves his fans and took a lot of time with each of them. His wife, who tours with him, was the photographer. I don't know how they did it for two hours. None of the Tour Crew lost their energy or enthusiasm. The picture below has everyone but Champagne in it... including Bryce's wife, manager, photographers, and also a couple fans.

Then the concert began. The warm-up is Neffex's DJ, Champagne. I was practicing taking shots the entire 45 minutes he was on stage. I couldn't get the lighting right, so I started to panic. BUT, by the end of his time, I was able to get my camera to cooperate and finally fixed the issue with the settings that I had at the last dance, I got locked in again, my anxiety departed and it was on!!

The concert was absolutely awesome, so many things happened that made it so special besides me getting to go with my son and getting the Media/Photo pass treatment. I learned so much by watching the professionals and took over 4, 403 photos myself... I needed that many to get the 900 okay ones and ultimately less than 100 fantastic ones. My son loved every minute of being up close on the stage. He was right there for every head bang and interacted with Neffex. He was upfront for Neffex's stage dive (which he does at every concert - regardless)!

My son even got Neffex's and Champagne's guitar pics (my son being the nice guy he is, did give one away to a fan beside him). He was shaking when we left. It was a fantastic experience. 

I had one other extraordinary experience right after the concert. I was in the restroom and heard a mom talking about the fact her daughter got to hug Neffex and his wife on stage. She was also right on front on the stage. I heard her say it was the greatest moment of her daughter's life and she was moved to tears by the experience. She was upset because she didn't get a pic. I knew I had taken some pictures during that part of the concert, but didn't know if I actually got the hug, so I didn't say anything (that and it is a little creepy to be overhear stuff in the restroom). When I got to look at the pictures, and I did get 5 shots of the hug. Not my highest quality, but I really don't think that would matter. I am going to try to find her because I should have let her know there was a chance. I am including it below. If you the mom or the person in this photo, please email me, and I will share the rest of the photos.

Since my son is most likely moving to Virginia after his college graduation, this was a special memory we will both cherish for a last time!

Rather than posting my concert photos, I am uploading my photo montage video. The song I chose was "Free Me" even though his tour is named after another song "Born a Rockstar". That is one of the songs that really speaks to me personally. I often jam to it on the way to work on my very long commute. You can also check out more concert photos on my website. This link will take you directly to the Neffexx Born a Rockstar World Tour page.

Enjoy... and remember, most of Neffex's music is copyright free, so everyone can enjoy and his message.

Woops... my video exceeded the size limit, so rather than cutting it down because it is really awesome, I will share the link to my Instagram Post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Trash Treasure Tableau (@trashtreasuretableau)