BY MAUI CABRAL Some shows stand out because of the music. Some stand out because of the photos. And then there are shows that become un...
BY MAUI CABRAL
Some shows stand out because of the music. Some stand out because of the photos. And then there are shows that become unforgettable because of the people standing beside you. This was one of those nights.
Walking into The Ritz Raleigh to shoot Sleeping With Sirens for the very first time was already exciting enough. This was a band I’d listened to for years, a band whose songs helped define an entire era of post-hardcore and alternative rock. But what made this night truly special had nothing to do with the stage. It was the fact that I wasn’t standing in the photo pit alone. I was sharing the pit with my older brother for our first official show shooting together. And honestly? That’s the part I’ll probably remember the most.
Originally, the night was supposed to feature additional opening bands, but due to medical circumstances, those plans changed. Rather than canceling or scaling things back, Sleeping With Sirens brought in a DJ to help keep the energy alive and make sure the fans still got a full evening of music. And that’s something worth appreciating. Sometimes things happen that nobody can control. What matters is how people respond. The crowd showed up. The band showed up. And the night moved forward.
For many people, Sleeping With Sirens isn’t just another band. They’re part of a soundtrack. Formed in 2009 and fronted by the unmistakable voice of Kellin Quinn, the band quickly became one of the biggest names in the post-hardcore scene. Albums like With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear, Let’s Cheers to This, and Feel helped establish them as one of the defining bands of the 2010s alternative movement. What separated them from everyone else was Kellin’s voice. The range. The emotion. The ability to sound vulnerable and powerful at the exact same time. Songs like "If You Can’t Hang," "Do It Now Remember It Later," "Kick Me," and "Scene Five: With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear" became anthems for an entire generation of fans. And hearing those songs live for the first time? It was worth the wait. It’s funny how some bands can stay on your list for years. You keep saying, “One day.” One day you’ll finally see them live. One day you’ll finally photograph them. And then suddenly that day arrives. Standing in front of Sleeping With Sirens for the first time felt like checking off one of those bands that had been sitting on my bucket list for years.
The second they hit the stage, The Ritz exploded. Every lyric. Every chorus. Every song. The crowd knew it all. And watching thousands of people reconnect with music that’s been part of their lives for years reminded me exactly why bands like Sleeping With Sirens continue to matter. But if I’m being honest, the thing that made this night different wasn’t just the music. It was looking over and seeing my brother standing there with a camera too. We’ve both spent years around music and photography, but this was the first official show where we were working side-by-side. Not as spectators. Not as fans. As photographers. There’s something special about that. Something hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it. Because while the crowd was focused on the stage, I kept finding myself appreciating the fact that one of my favorite parts of the night was standing shoulder to shoulder with family doing something we both love. And that’s a memory that means just as much as any photograph.
From a photography standpoint, this show delivered everything. Great lighting. Great crowd energy. A frontman who never stops moving. And enough emotion on stage to fill every frame. But beyond the technical side, this show felt rewarding. Not because the shots came easy. Because moments like this don’t happen every day. First time seeing Sleeping With Sirens. First time shooting Sleeping With Sirens. First official show shooting alongside my brother. That’s the kind of combination you don’t forget.
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- JOSH "MAUI" CABRAL
Hey! I'm Maui. Originally from Queens, New York, now making Raleigh, NC my new home. I'm a touring photographer and Nomadic Motorcycle Rider, obsessed with seeing the world through different lenses!
Read Maui's posts here
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