Alejandro Santiago Photography » Music

Janelle Monae in Black & White at the Koolhaus, Toronto

Alejandro — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:17:50 +0000

Here are some of the highlights from Janelle Monae’s Toronto show in her signature black & white. These grainy, high contrast shots look like stills from a long forgotten sci-fi film. This was undoubtedly the best performance I’ve seen all year and produced some of my favorite concert photos.

“The electric lady did not lie, and her back up team of ten dancers and musicians kept the crowd alive with dazzling smiles and swift kicks. The “I Want You Back” Jackson 5 cover and accompanying dances reminded us that if MJ was the master, then Janelle Monae is the mistress of the moonwalk. Rather than just crowd surf, this Q.U.E.E.N. swam her way through the Kool Haus.”

Read Jesse Ship’s full review on BlogTo.

Jim James + His Spiritual Sideshow

Alejandro — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:04:02 +0000

Jim James brought his musical wizardry & southern soul to Toronto’s Phoenix Tuesday night. He was in town promoting his solo album, “Regions of Light and Sound of God”. The highlight was when he played “Dear God” one of his songs from the Monsters of Folk album, watch the video below and read Jesse Ship’s review of the show on BlogTo.

Erykah Badu Live

Alejandro — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:30:24 +0000

Tuesday night I photographed one of my favorite musicians Erykah Badu at Toronto’s Koolhaus…

“At about 9:30 pm, Erykah Badu came out to “Penitentiary Philosophy,” backed by a four-piece band, a DJ, and three background singers. Interestingly enough, one of the vocalists was none other than Erykah’s own sister, Nayrock, the one time star of a rather controversial Flaming Lips video; another the daughter of Millie Jackson. The opener concluded to Badu proclaiming herself a “warrior princess from the other sun,” as the audience greeted her radiance with a warm ovation.”

Read the rest of Marko Orlic’s review of the Erykah Badu concert on BlogTo and check out my photos…

Solange Live!

Alejandro — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 19:23:55 +0000

Solange delivered soul + more at her sold out show at Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall. Dev Hynes, the mastermind behind her latest ep “True”, accompanied her on guitar. Check out the photos below and watch Phil Villeneuve’s viral video for Solange’s “Losing You”.

Read Jesse Ship’s review on BlogTo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgN__UbBjD4

I SHOT SHARON NEEDLES–live + undead in Toronto!

Alejandro — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:27:27 +0000

Last night at Fit in Toronto, Sharon Needles woke from her coffin with a mic in her hand ready to kill with her debut single “This Club is a Haunted House”. The reigning queen of Rupaul’s Drag Race ate money, lost a claw, spat beer at the audience and then she made it snow! And we loved it.

Big thanks to Phil Villeneuve and all the folks at Fit for making it happen… More photos to come!

watch Sharon’s killer new video for “This Club is a Haunted House” below…

Big Freedia Live!

Alejandro — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 00:51:48 +0000

Big Freedia took over Lee’s Palace on Tuesday night. Check out the rest of the photos & Eric Boshart’s review of the show at BlogTo.com.

Miguel Live!

Alejandro — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 21:04:30 +0000

I love photographing people who love what they do. And Miguel was all about love when he performed at the Koolhaus in Toronto. Check out my photos below and read a review of the show on BlogTo.com

Diamond Rings Live

admin — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 20:58:28 +0000

On Thursday, November 29th I had the great pleasure of photographing Diamond Rings’ live show at The Mod Club in Toronto for BlogTo.com. This was the second time that I got to photograph Diamond Rings. I took his portrait for the cover of Fab Magazine earlier this fall–check out those photos here. He’s energetic & charismatic and I had an awesome time at his show. Check out BlogTo’s review here.