"This Night Looks Like We Planned It Out Of A Hollywood Movie..." Machine Gun Kelly

Photography and live music are two of the things that light me up most. So when I got a call—just two hours before the show—asking if I could shoot Machine Gun Kelly live at Skydeck Broadway in Nashville… there wasn’t a second thought. I grabbed my camera and headed downtown.

From the moment I stepped onto the rooftop, you could feel it. The buzz in the air. The fans packed in tight. That electric energy that only happens when everyone in the room knows they’re about to witness something special.

Machine Gun Kelly delivers an electric performance with his cover of Zach Bryan's "Sun to Me" at River Rooftop.

What made the night even more unforgettable was the way MGK showed up—fully present, fully himself. He spotted familiar faces in the crowd, called out fans he remembered from past shows, and you could see it meant just as much to him as it did to them. That connection? You can’t fake that.

Midway through the set, he looked out at the crowd and said, “This was supposed to be an acoustic set, but this night looks like we planned it out of a Hollywood movie.” And honestly? He wasn’t wrong. Everything, the energy, the crowd, the surprise duet with Lainey Wilson, felt cinematic in the best way. Like something that would stick with you long after you'd gone home.

Machine Gun Kelly and his band, featuring guitarist Justin Lyons on the right, mesmerize the crowd.

There’s something about watching an artist get vulnerable on stage, especially when the room is filled with people who genuinely see and support them. It reminded me that the work we do behind the lens matters. That capturing those real, raw moments can say more than words ever could.

Reflecting on this incredible experience, I'm grateful for the chance to witness and photograph such an outstanding artist in one of Nashville's prime venues. Each shot I took told a unique story. I aspire to continue sharing these narratives through my photographs, encouraging others to pursue their passions and create lasting memories in the heart of Nashville.

Samantha Kunz

Founder, Free Street Creative Agency