Two stages. 20 bands. August 20th, 2002, at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, Kansas, remains one of those days that still feels larger than life. Ozzfest 2002 brought together an incredible lineup and introduced me to something I had only dreamed about up to that point; Photographing a full major music festival. Earlier that month, I’d traveled to Columbus, Ohio for that Ozzfest stop, but I’d only been approved for the festival’s second stage, but I was approved for both stages for the Bonner Springs stop, minus Ozzy’s performance.
Armed with my point-and-click camera, a crippling amount of anxiety, and a few dozen rolls of Kodak film, I documented the day one frame at a time. There were no memory cards, no instant previews, and no second chances. Every shot mattered. Looking back, it’s amazing to remember how much trust we put in 24 or 36 exposures and hoped for the best.
This was the first big festival I ever fully photographed, and I had no idea at the time how important it would become. The long summer heat, the constant rush between sets and stages, and the excitement of capturing bands that I had only previously seen from the crowd made the experience unforgettable. The anxiety never faded but it was eventually shadowed by the excitement. Those rolls of Kodak film preserved more than performances, they captured the beginning of a journey that would eventually lead to decades spent documenting live music.
The day was also a continued memorial for Drowning Pool’s Dave Williams, who had passed away August 14th. Numerous bands paid homage to Williams’ during their set, particularly Ill Nino’s set. Williams had become close friends with Ill Nino’s then vocalist, Cristian Machado, and Williams’ family gifted Machado his microphone, which Machado used during their set and for numerous years after.
More than twenty years later, Ozzfest 2002 in Bonner Springs still stands as one of the most memorable and defining days of my photography journey. Some experiences stay with you forever, and this one always will.
Words and Photos by Adam Tibbott
Original film photos digitally edited and enhanced.
Line-up: Adema, Black Label Society, Chevelle, Down, Glassjaw, Hatebreed, Ill Nino, Lost Prophets, Meshuggah, Mushroomhead, Neurotica, Otep, Ozzy, P.O.D., Pulse Ultra, Rob Zombie, Seether, Switched, System of a Down, The Apex Theory, The Used
