Wiz Khalifa photographed by Bryan Wilson
The 2018 Smokers Club Fest kicked off at the Queen Mary grounds in Long Beach, California. The Smokers Club Fest originally started the year previous to this one (2017) and was a one-day show.
The 2018 festival DOUBLED, now a two-day show with a nearly 50 act lineup with artists such as Mac Miller, Kid Cudi, Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz and many many more! They completely sold this one out with about 10,000 fans in attendance.
Kid Cudi photographed by Bryan Wilson
This was one of my very first major events that I've photographed. My friend who is a Lighting Director (LD) was working for the production company, Aspect Lighting, that was putting on the event.
I was given an All-Access wristband for the two-day event… meaning I had access to go on the stage, back stage, front of house (FOH) and of course the photo pit. Having this access permitted me to have a perspective of the show that not a lot of other photographers were able to get.
It helped me think of different shots that could help showcase the show and the artist in a more creative light.
2 Chainz photographed by Bryan Wilson
While photographing 2 Chainz I was on the side of the stage capturing some dope images. I feel a hand on my shoulder and it was someone on the 2 Chainz team. Big buff dude, probably over 6' tall! He tells me "You gotta get off the stage". I show him my all-access wrist band and he nods his head and lets me continue to shoot.
Not even two minutes later another dude comes up to me on the side of the stage and tells me I need to leave. I show him my wrist band just like that last guy. This dude doesn't care.
Lil Skies photographed by Bryan Wilson
He comes closer to me and is yelling at me to leave the stage. At this point 2 Chainz is still in the middle of his first song. I don't want to get in trouble with him or his team so I humbly exit the side of the stage.
However, I Just walked around to the front of the stage and continue to photograph in the pit since I haven't hit my three-song limit.
Article + Photos by Bryan Wilson