This is a show I wasn't supposed to photograph. I saw Griz at The Best Buy Theater in New York with Datsik a few years ago and loved his set. When I saw he was coming to Richmond, I reached out to Griz's PR contact before the tour came through town but didn't get a response so I booked another shoot with New Normal Apparel. After a great 2 hour shoot at the store, I was on my way home when I stopped at a red light near The National and saw Griz's name on the marquee. I'd completely forgotten about the show but decided to stop quickly and get some shots outside of the venue.

I walked around the side to get some photos of the tour bus and struck up a conversation with one of the security guards working the side stage entrance. It turned out he had a passion for filming and recording live shows and after 10 or 15 minutes of talking, a guy walked over covered in all access passes with a radio clipped onto his shoulder. I decided to try my luck and, after a few minutes explaining that I wasn't just a random guy off the street, the assistant TM gave me the go ahead to shoot the show.

I really wasn't expecting to get in and almost got denied again when I went to pick up my credentials until the general manager of The National, who's an awesome person, stepped in and helped me out. Both my batteries were half dead, I only had half my gear on me, and no ear plugs but I was stoked to be there. Griz, The Floozies, and Artifakts put on such an amazing show and, for once in my life, I wasn't even mad about skipping dinner. Here are some photos from the show that I wasn't supposed to take.