Capturing the Magic of Music: My Top 5 Unforgettable Moments in 2025
- jaybroderick
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By: Michael Drukarsh - Working with LoudTO has afforded me the opportunities to see incredible shows and introduce me to new music from bands I would not have otherwise heard of. 2025 was an amazing year for me, capturing moments on stage from classic bands of my teenage metal years to new bands taking their first steps towards rock and roll stardom.
Here, in no particular order (because they are all AWESOME), are my top five concert photography experiences of 2025:
Killer Dwarfs
Within a span of a few months I got to witness the insanity of Killer Dwarfs on stage, twice as headliners and once as an opening act. The talent, nostalgia and the obvious love of performing shines through every time these guys hit the stage. As a bonus, their show at the Biltmore in Oshawa introduced me to My Own Addiction, an incredible band that was so much fun to hear and shoot!
Lee Aaron
When you get an opportunity to shoot the Metal Queen, you take it! Despite being an opening act for Night Ranger, Lee Aaron completely stole the show, somehow defying the aging process and delivering a set that just kicked ass. Her energy and vocal performance was unbelievable, bringing everyone in the audience back to the 80s.
All My Friends Fest
My first taste of festival concert shooting, All My Friends Fest introduced to me the backstage life of a concert photographer. Sharing a dedicated media tent with several other photographers and being wrangled back and forth from stage to stage was certainly a unique experience. This was also my first official band interview experience with the incredible Rarity. Shooting so many amazing bands and then getting to capture headliner Avril Lavigne at the end of the night was just awesome!
Cypertronic Spree
A band composed of Autobots and Decepticons playing incredible rock and metal. ‘Nough said.
Apocalyptica
I’ll admit going to this show was more about shooting Nita Strauss, one of the many guitarists who played with Alice Cooper, than it was to see Apocalyptica. Nita did not disappoint, she is an incredible performer and phenomenal shredder and it was an honor to shoot her. What I did not expect was how unbelievably amazing Apocalypitica would be. Playing Metallica’s music on cellos is cool enough, but they bring it to a whole other level with electric cellos, amazing light shows and full on heavy metal rock star attitudes! This was such a wonderful experience.
I would be remiss in my article if I did not mention the other amazing photographers whom I have met at the various gigs as well as the staff at the venues, promoters and of course all of the artists who make concert photography so much fun. Without these people I would not be able to do what I do and grow as a photographer. Thank you all for making 2025 a great year for photography. And thank you to the LoudTO readers! We are looking forward to more amazing photos, reviews and more in 2026!
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