Every year I really look forward to playing or attending the 500 Songs for Kids Foundation benefit shows. Pick 500 songs, get 500 bands and rock it out for 10 days! Josh Rifkind organizes the whole shebang with some other amazing folks and they bring you some of the coolest bands from around the area and the country performing some amazing tunes that you're bound to know and enjoy.

This year they mixed it up a little and for some of the nights the bands could pick the song of their choice. We decided to play Cut Your Hair, by Pavement. 6 sweet chords that run the entire span of the song without changing and I already knew the words!

Mostly.

I had a fun time playing and shooting the show, and although I couldn't be there the entire night, I love the chance to shoot a ton of bands in a quick period of time like you can at festivals. With the 500 Songs shows you get a new band every 5 to 10 minutes! Can't ask for much better than that.

Gear: Nikon D90 / 50mm f/1.8

John McNicholas Photography