ScHoolboy Q Took Over the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles
Written and Captured By | Kayla Green
One Friday night at the Hollywood Palladium was one for the books. ScHoolboy Q took over the sold-out venue, and between the performances, the crowd, and everything happening in the photo pit, there was a lot to take in. I went into this show with pretty high expectations, and somehow, the night still managed to exceed them.
For me, this one was a little more personal. I’ve wanted to photograph and work with TDE artists for years. ScHoolboy Q is one of those artists whose music takes me straight back to middle and high school, so getting the opportunity to photograph him was something I’d been looking forward to. It’s funny how you can spend years listening to somebody’s music and then eventually find yourself standing a few feet away from them with a camera in your hands.
Before Q made his way to the stage, Traffic and TF got things started. Both artists came through with solid performances, bringing their own personalities and sounds to the night. They did a great job getting the audience warmed up, and the crowd was showing love well before the headliner appeared. It’s always good to see opening acts get that kind of reception, especially in a room full of people waiting to see someone else.
Another thing I couldn’t help but notice was the audience itself. The Palladium was packed with people from all kinds of backgrounds and age groups. Some fans have probably been listening to Q since his earlier projects, while others may have discovered his music more recently. Either way, everybody came ready to have a good time. There were people rapping along, cheering, and reacting to the performance throughout the night. You didn’t have to look very far to see just how invested the crowd was.
And once ScHoolboy Q hit the stage, it was ON. Q came out with the kind of energy you’d expect from him, and he kept it going throughout his set. His stage presence, delivery, and interactions with the audience made the performance that much better. He knows how to command a room, and Friday night was no exception.
One of my favorite parts was hearing him perform records I grew up listening to. I’m talking about songs that were in rotation during my middle and high school years, back when I was just enjoying the music and had no idea where photography would eventually take me. Hearing those same records live all these years later was nostalgic as hell. And judging by the reactions around me, I definitely wasn’t the only one feeling that way.
Now, from behind the camera, this was a whole different experience. The photo pit was PACKED with photographers from all over, everybody trying to find their angles and catch the best moments. If you’ve ever been in a crowded photo pit, you know how quickly things can move. You’re watching the artist, keeping an eye on the lighting, adjusting your position, and trying not to miss what’s happening right in front of you. It can get a little hectic, but that’s part of what makes photographing live music so much fun. And Q was giving us plenty to work with.
At one point during the set, I was right in front of him, literally face-to-face, getting some shots when he started hyping me up. I couldn’t do anything but enjoy that moment. Here I was, photographing an artist I’d listened to since I was a kid, and now he was interacting with me while I was doing my job. That was easily one of the highlights of my night.
What I enjoyed most about the performance was that the energy never felt one-sided. Q was giving the audience everything, and they were giving it right back. The crowd stayed engaged, the atmosphere was fun, and there was plenty happening both onstage and off. Even while focusing on getting my shots, I found myself enjoying the show just as much as everybody else.
I’ve been photographing concerts for years now, and experiences like this are a big part of why I continue doing it. Every artist brings something different, and every crowd has its own personality. You can photograph hundreds of shows and still walk away from the next one with a completely new experience. Friday night was a reminder of that.
Between Traffic and TF kicking things off, a sold-out crowd showing up ready to have a good time, and ScHoolboy Q delivering a high-energy performance filled with nostalgia, the Hollywood Palladium was absolutely the place to be. And getting to photograph it all? Even better.
ScHoolboy Q gave Los Angeles one hell of a Friday night.