As we plan our 2017 World Tour we can't help thinking back on some of our favorite moments from the past year. We are thrilled about the fundraising records we broke and milestones we hit. We also look back fondly on the small moments - the crowd going wild during a particular song, or a nonprofit presenter who truly captured the room. Happily, there were many such moments during our 2016 World Tour. Here are eight that were captured on camera.
#1 FULL HOUSE
The energy at Law Rocks Washington DC was incredible! The 9:30 Club was jam packed with local fans and attendees of the Annual Conference of the International Bar Association alike. Full of enthusiasm, they cheered the bands on, bought up every piece of merch, and partied until the wee hours. Pictured here is Noise in the Basement of Venable, who went on to win the night.
#2 ROCK STAR INTRO
In Los Angeles, Hostile Witness of Norton Rose Fulbright rocked for United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The band was introduced with passion and charisma by Brandon Mendenhall, a member of the UCPLA Board of Governors and founding guitarist with The Mendenhall Experiment, who has succeeded in overcoming living with Cerebral Palsy since birth. A very cool coincidence - The Mendenhall Experiment played the Whisky a few weeks later!
#3 SMILES ALL AROUND
Law Rocks returned to Sydney for the second year bigger than ever with a two-night event at Oxford Art Factory benefiting Mary's House. This photo represents innumerable photos of the grinning, partying attendees of Law Rocks! Sydney enjoying themselves immensely. Here, Sydney co-chair, Rob Buchanan and a few Law Rocks fans are all smiles at the successful event.
#4 FEELIN' IT
In New York City, The Objections of Davis Polk and Susman Godfrey owned their set at the Gramercy Theatre with rock star intensity. Even more on fire? Their large, vocal fan base, who went wild before, during, and after their set. Quite apropos as The Objections slogan is "a band whose appeal can never be denied". We wouldn't dare.
#5 AN ESTEEMED PANEL
The Rock Panel of Judges at Law Rocks DC had a tall order - score a whopping 14 bands of legal professionals! They did so with aplomb. Our DC panel featured (from left to right) Beverly Davis, Davis Law PLLC founder and Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts board member; Ray Bialek, music industry veteran and owner of Bialek’s Music LTD; SONiA disappear fear, Grammy award winning singer/songwriter; Sean Russell, engineer at Cue Recording and producer of The Circus Life podcast; and (not pictured) James Simson, music industry veteran and Executive in Residence at American University Kogod School of Business.
#6 A TEXAN LEGEND
With roots in the Austin music scene and experience writing and collaborating with artists in Los Angeles (most notably as front man in the psychedelic rock band Spirit), we were thrilled to have Al Staehely (who is also a lawyer!) play the first set at the first ever Law Rocks Austin at the Parish.
#7 COMPÈRE EXTRAORDINAIRE
Here Damian Hickman emcees the last concert of the 2016 tour in Dubai, after hosting throughout the year in London and Washington DC (we keep him busy). In this shot, he's introducing the eventual winner of the Second Annual Law Rocks! Dubai, The Well Hung Jury of Dubai Holding.
#8 AND THE CROWD JOINED IN
An awesome moment in Los Angeles this year was when Attractive Nuisance of Allen Matkins and Buchalter Nemer played a rocked out version of "Sweet Caroline". The audience ate it up, singing and dancing along enthusiastically.