In March 2026, the Proton Club in Stuttgart hosted a special concert night for the local rock scene: the release show of the new EP Silhouettes by the Stuttgart-based band Violet. I went there to photograph the evening, expecting a good live show — and the venue quickly made it clear that it would be more than that.
Before Violet took the stage, two support acts opened the night: Jules and Mark Moon. Their sets warmed up the crowd and gradually filled the room with energy. By the time the headliner was ready to start, the club was packed and the anticipation in the room was noticeable.
Violet themselves are a relatively young band from the Stuttgart region, founded in 2019. Their sound draws heavily on melodic rock and AOR influences from the 1980s — bands like Journey, Toto, Heart or Starship are often mentioned as stylistic inspirations. The group consists of singer Jamie Beckham, guitarist and songwriter Manuel Heller, keyboardist Filip Kuzanski, bassist Eric Hanhart, and drummer Maurice Probst.
Over the past few years the band has built a reputation for energetic live shows, combining strong melodies with guitar-driven arrangements and keyboard-heavy soundscapes. Their debut album Illusions was released in 2022, followed by the album Mysteria in 2024, both helping them establish themselves within the melodic rock scene.
The Silhouettes EP itself was released on February 27, 2026 and represents another step in the band’s development, continuing their blend of melodic rock and 80s-inspired pop-rock elements with big choruses and guitar-driven songs.
When Violet finally walked on stage in Proton that evening, the room was completely full. From the first songs onward, the connection between band and audience was obvious. The crowd was fully engaged, reacting to the guitar riffs and rhythms, and creating an atmosphere that made the relatively small club feel like a much larger venue.
For me as a photographer, concerts like this are always interesting. The combination of stage lighting, movement on stage, and the interaction between band members creates constantly changing situations where every moment can produce a strong image. Violet’s performance in particular had plenty of those moments — expressive vocals, energetic guitar playing, and the kind of stage presence that naturally translates into compelling photos.
After the final songs of the set, the evening didn’t simply end. Instead, the band moved to the merch stand where fans gathered to meet them personally. People chatted with the musicians, took photos together, and picked up merchandise like shirts, vinyl records, CDs, and other items. It turned the end of the concert into a relaxed meeting point between band and audience.
Moments like these are often just as memorable as the concert itself. The stage lights are off, the music has stopped, but the connection between artist and fans continues — simply in a different way.
For anyone who enjoys melodic rock with strong 80s influences, this release show was a reminder of why live concerts remain such special experiences. And for me, it was another evening where music, people, and photography came together in the best possible way.
