Music
Greg Noire Captures the Raw Emotion of Today's Top Artists
The Houston-based photographer reveals how he captures the raw emotion of today’s top artists when they take center stage.
“When I’m shooting, I want the viewer to know exactly what went into this moment—how much emotion, pain, love, blood, sweat and tears that went into each song,” says Noire. “It could be years leading up to this artist getting onto the stage to perform.” On the hero image above: “This was the first stop on Drake’s Summer Sixteen tour. I didn’t get paid a dime, but I just love making art.”
Metro Boomin taking a moment to himself while on stage.
© Greg Noire
Noire selects the shot above as a favorite, capturing Metro Boomin in a unique role fronting an orchestra for his historic Red Bull Symphonic performance at L.A.’s Dolby Theater in 2023: “You can’t see the expression on his face because it’s in shadow, but you know it’s there. I think that enhances the emotion.”
A$AP Rocky isn't afraid to look directly at the camera.
© Greg Noire
Rapper Lil Uzi Vert
© Greg Noire
On photographing A$AP Rocky (above, to the left): “I love that he’s looking directly at the camera and has this sinister look. I increased the vibrancy a little bit and I darkened the red, because I wanted his devilish grin to be enhanced by the colors.” To the right is the striking image of hip-hop artist Lil Uzi Vert, while performing in Miami in 2021.
Rapper, Cardi B, with backup dancers, photographed by Greg Noire.
© Greg Noire
When I’m shooting, I want the viewer to know exactly what went into this moment—how much emotion, pain, love, blood, sweat and tears that went into each song.
British Rapper Little Simz
© Greg Noire
“I rarely say this about my work, but I love this picture. It's the gold standard of my ambition: it looks like a studio portrait, but I took it when British rapper Little Simz came on stage for the encore," says Greg Noire. The image was taken in Austin, 2022.
Multi-hyphenate hip-hop star, Tyler the Creator.
© Greg Noire
Usually, I like to make sure you can see the emotion on a subject’s face, but his position and the word ‘LOVE’ tells its own story.
Performer Lil Nas X.
© Greg Noire
This shot was not planned. With each outfit change, there would be a series of different colors on the screens. I also used a star filter, because whenever I see sparkly things, I can’t help myself.
“Fat” and her husband Tobe Nwigwe (background).
© Greg Noire
Big Freedia and her dancers always put on a show.
© Greg Noire
Noire describes a dynamic shot of Big Freedia (above, right): “When I see a line formation, I never want to be directly in the center. I go off to the side to make sure there’s more depth, which draws your eye directly to Big Freedia.”
Travis Scott performing at Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago, 2018.
© Greg Noire
How Greg Noire captured this iconic image of Travis Scott
THE CAMERA: “My baby girl is the Sony Alpha 1. Besides picture quality, I love the lack of banding— which can happen when you shoot an LED screen. In this photo, you can’t see the banding at all.”
THE LENS: “My go-to lens is the 7200. It’s the perfect focal length. For the way I shoot live music, it enables me to get tight shots and zoom out a little bit if needed. If I could only have one lens, this would definitely be the one.”
THE EFFECTS: “The fog and the lasers are all part of the production. The colors were enhanced a little to deepen the reds. Once you crunch the blacks and punch up the contrast, the subject stands out.”
THE SUBJECT: Travis Scott, Lollapalooza 2018. “I have a few photos of him looking at the audience, but it wasn’t until he turned around when I thought this could be something.”
THE MOMENT: “With the laser cutting into his shoulder and his head looking downward, there’s a bevy of emotion leaping from this photograph. I couldn’t wait to start editing this on my computer. It’s one of my favorites.”
THE STYLE: “The purest way to figure out your style is to get in the photo pit and figure out where your eye gravitates. Maybe it’s a close-up of the artist, a wide shot of the entire space or an intricate detail.”
Meet the Photographer
The documentarian: Greg Noire.
© Greg Noire
Greg discovered photography while working in the photo department of a department store. Inspired by the rolls of film from customers, he purchased his own camera, a FujiFilm FinePix, and began shooting about 500 frames a day. In 2009 he photographed a concert by the hip-hop duo the Clipse. “I fell in love with the job straight away," says Noire, "even though I had no idea what I was doing at first.”
In 2014 Noire documented the Lollapalooza Festival for the first time, and since 2019 Greg has been one of the most sought-after photographers in the industry—documenting performers from Chance the Rapper to Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino and Demi Lovato. His love of black and white and film noir, particularly the film Citizen Kane, inspired his pseudonym. Noire cites photographers such as Devin Allen and Bruce Talamon as well as the late great photographers Chi Modu, Gordon Parks, his influences.
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