This past weekend I was in the photo pit at Machine Gun Kelly’s show at Co-op Live, capturing one of the most chaotic, high-energy arena performances I’ve shot in a while.
Shooting mgk is never a “stand still and wait for the moment” kind of gig. From the second the lights dropped, the stage turned into a blur of movement – jumps, sprints across the risers, and constant interaction with the crowd. As a photographer, it means staying alert every second because the shot you want can happen anywhere on stage.
The First Three Songs…actually 11
Like most arena shows, photographers are usually limited to the first three songs in the pit. However for this show we had access to 11 which was a real treat!
Those first minutes when its 3 songs only are always intense – dozens of photographers shoulder to shoulder, all trying to capture the defining images before security ushers everyone out. So this was way more relaxed and more opportunity.
MGK immediately started working the stage.
Moments like that are gold for live photography – dramatic lighting, movement, and genuine connection with fans. The visuals were incredible!
The Lighting Challenge
Arena lighting can be unpredictable, but this show leaned heavily into deep reds, neon pinks, and stark strobes, which created some incredible visuals.
The trick was balancing the exposure while keeping the atmosphere intact. Too bright and you lose the mood; too dark and the energy disappears.
When the lights hit just right, the whole scene – smoke, crowd, and stage LEDs – came together perfectly.
The Crowd Energy
One thing that stood out immediately was the crowd. Manchester fans are always loud, but the energy inside Co-op Live felt massive.
Every chorus turned into a full arena sing-along, with thousands of phone lights and hands in the air. From the pit, you can feel that energy pushing forward – it’s part of what makes live music photography so addictive.
Photographing Machine Gun Kelly live is chaotic in the best possible way. The movement, the lighting, and the crowd make every second unpredictable – which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to capture the energy of a live show.
And shooting it at Co-op Live – one of the UK’s newest and biggest arenas – made the experience even bigger.
Gallery below from the show!
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