
You know, being a photographer at Lollapalooza Berlin last year was a bit of a rollercoaster. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, I’ll tell you that. But it was raw, chaotic, and full of moments that made lugging a camera around for hours worth every second. Festivals like this aren’t just about the music — they’re about capturing everything: the madness, the energy, the highs, and yes, even the lows.
The Venue: A Blessing and a Curse
The Olympiastadion and Olympiapark is a cracking venue, I’ll give it that. The architecture? Stunning. But as a photographer? It’s massive. It felt like I was doing a marathon with my gear strapped to me. Everywhere you looked, there was something worth capturing, but getting to it before the moment disappeared? Another story entirely.
The Ferris wheel was a real standout, though. Catching it at sunset, with that golden light hitting the crowds just right — that’s the stuff you dream of. Sometimes it feels like the shot takes itself, and all you’ve got to do is press the shutter. Those moments are rare, but when they happen, they’re magic.
The Acts: Noteworthy Highlights

Now, let’s talk about the music. Sam Tompkins was something else. Raw, emotional, and completely honest. He’s the type of artist who makes you stop and listen. It felt like he was singing directly to you, even with a crowd that big.
Then there’s CMAT. What a character. She’s got this knack for balancing humor and heartbreak that’ll have you laughing one minute and feeling a lump in your throat the next. Photographing her was a treat — she’s so expressive, you could get a full story out of a single frame.
Natalie Jane? She’s got presence, no doubt about it. The kind of energy that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. There’s one shot I got of her mid-song, completely lost in the moment, eyes closed, and it’s one of my favorites from the festival. You could feel how much she put into every note.
And then there’s Apashe. I had the privilege of working directly with him on stage, and let me tell you, that’s a different kind of pressure. His music is a sensory overload in the best way. Orchestral vibes smashed together with heavy bass drops? It’s like he’s scoring a movie in real-time. There was a moment when the lights hit just right, and I caught him silhouetted, arms raised, as the crowd went mad. That shot? Worth every bit of effort.
The Fans: The Real Stars
It’s not just the artists that make a festival like Lollapalooza special. The fans bring as much to the table. One of my favorite shots from the weekend wasn’t even from a stage. It was a group of mates sitting on the grass, faces painted, laughing like they didn’t have a care in the world. Simple, but it’s what festivals are about, isn’t it?
Then there was this little girl on her dad’s shoulders during David Guetta’s set. Hands in the air, completely in the moment. Those are the photos you look back on and think, “Yeah, that’s why I do this.”
The Grind Behind the Glamour
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all glamour. You’re on your feet all day, fighting through crowds, hauling gear that feels heavier with every passing hour. By the time you’re editing thousands of shots, your legs are screaming, and your eyes are burning, but you keep going. Why? Because when you find that one perfect shot, it’s like scoring the winning goal. It’s pure joy.
And then there are the little things that keep you going. A nod from another photographer in the pit, like a silent “You’ve got this.” The rush when you know you’ve nailed a shot. Those moments? They’re priceless.

Why Lollapalooza Berlin Stands Out
This festival isn’t just about the music. It’s the art installations, the costumes, the energy buzzing through every corner of the grounds. As a photographer, you’re not just capturing performances — you’re documenting a living, breathing world. There’s a photo I got of a street performer juggling fire with the Olympiastadion in the background. Another of a group covered in glitter, dancing like no one was watching. They’re not perfect shots, but they’re real. And that’s what matters.
Final Whistle
Photographing Lollapalooza Berlin was exhausting, sure. But it was also exhilarating. It’s the kind of experience that reminds you why you picked up a camera in the first place. To capture moments that feel alive, that tell a story.
It’s not about the fancy gear or the perfect shot. It’s about connection. And at Lollapalooza, there was plenty of that. The artists, the fans, the chaos — it all came together to create something special. And that, for me, is the magic of it all.
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