Three bands, one Sacramento rock-and-roll party, and a drummer who decided gravity was optional. From airborne musicians to blues-soaked riffs, Ace of Spades delivered a night worth remembering.

Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA – Nov 4, 2026 

Photography and coverage Christopher Crone – Buy us a Coffee on Ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/capitalchaostv

SACRAMENTO, CA – Some nights behind the camera are pretty straightforward. You get your shots, work your way around the photo pit, and capture the bands doing what they do best. Then there are nights when somebody decides to take flight right over your head. Yeah, this was one of those nights!

Ace of Spades welcomed The Velveteers, The Blue Stones, and Rival Sons for an evening of seriously good rock and roll. Three bands, three different flavors, and enough stage energy to keep the cameras busy from the opening notes to the final set.

THE VELVETEERS

The Velveteers kicked things off with a raw, in-your-face performance that immediately grabbed the attention of the growing Ace of Spades crowd. Their gritty guitar riffs and pounding rhythms produced a wall of sound that seemed almost impossible coming from a three-piece band.

When I first walked into the venue, something caught my attention. The photo pit looked noticeably wider than I remembered from previous visits. I remember thinking that was interesting. Little did I know there was a very good reason for all that extra real estate!

The Velveteers brought plenty of attitude, volume, and stage presence, delivering an opening set that wasted absolutely no time getting the evening rolling. But the musical assault wasn’t the only thing happening onstage.

I’d heard there was a special move planned that might explain the unusually wide photo pit. Sure enough, drummer Baby Pottersmith gave everyone a reason to pay attention when they climbed up above the crowd barrier and launched themself into the air!

And wouldn’t you know it? I was standing directly underneath with my camera ready.

Now, I love capturing those mid-air concert shots. There’s nothing quite like freezing a musician in flight, especially when the timing, positioning, and camera all cooperate. This one lined up beautifully, and I ended up with one of my favorite photographs of the night.

Suddenly, that extra-wide photo pit made perfect sense!

The Velveteers certainly didn’t ease into the evening. Between their massive sound, unpredictable stage presence, and a drummer willing to take the show airborne, they delivered an opening set that was anything but ordinary.

THE BLUE STONES

The Blue Stones picked up where The Velveteers left off, bringing their own brand of blues-infused alternative rock to the Ace of Spades stage.

The duo has a knack for producing a massive sound without needing an army of musicians behind them. Their combination of heavy guitar work, driving rhythms, and polished musicianship kept the crowd engaged throughout the performance.

There was a nice balance between raw rock energy and a more refined sound, giving the evening a little breathing room before the headliner took over. By the time they wrapped up, the audience was warmed up and ready for what was coming next.

RIVAL SONS

Rival Sons took the stage and completely transformed the atmosphere inside Ace of Spades.

This was my first time seeing Rival Sons live, and I walked away wondering why it had taken me this long to catch these guys.

Coming from a steady diet of thrash metal, hardcore, and bands that practically try to knock the paint off the walls, Rival Sons offered something a little different. Their sound had a slower, deliberate groove, but don’t mistake that for a lack of intensity. These guys know exactly how to command a stage.

Jay Buchanan’s commanding vocals filled the venue while the rest of the band delivered an impressive display of musicianship and stage presence. There was something almost hypnotic about watching them perform. Every movement seemed fluid, every note purposeful, and the band’s chemistry was obvious.

This wasn’t about speed or aggression. It was about feel, timing, and letting the music breathe. The band built its performance around powerful vocals, blues-driven guitar work, and a groove that pulled the audience right into the experience.

By the end of the night, Rival Sons had earned themselves a new fan. It was a great reminder that rock and roll doesn’t always have to be played at 200 miles per hour to leave a lasting impression.

For someone who spends plenty of nights photographing bands that bring the musical equivalent of a demolition crew, this was a refreshing change of pace.

Another great night of live music, three bands bringing their own personalities to the stage, and plenty of moments worth capturing. That’s what keeps me coming back with a camera in hand.

Categories: Concert Photography