Seeing Pittsburgh’s own Code Orange was on my bucket list to photograph for the past couple of years and 2020 was going to be my year seeing them with plans touring with their latest release Underneath that year. However thanks to the “you-know-what” that opportunity seemed it was filled with uncertainty with everything happening within that year it seemed that I was never going to get a chance to photograph them. Thankfully, they announced that they were playing San Francisco, CA at August Hall this year and I was finally able to see them on their first proper headline tour for the new album and it was a fantastic show that was worth the wait. Alongside with some of the opening acts Vended, Portland-based Dying Wish, and all the way from the UK Loathe it was filled with love peace and hardcore. All 3 bands were fantastic but when I saw Code O’s mic stand I knew shit was getting real!
A clam before the storm, the band played Bjork’s Hunter (they used footage of Bjork’s stalker in the video background of their set!) letting the crowd know that they are indeed out for blood. As each member came out the applause got bigger and bigger then silence then out for blood opening the starting of the night. The night raged on with the band’s high in your face energy for those that were up in the front and opening the pit behind the crowd every so often. The end of the night left me glowing in bliss over such an amazing time I had photographing the band alongside with August Hall’s awesome staff and the crowd of younger kids. It was worth the wait to finally see this band in action.
Code Orange
