Raymond Ahner | SF Sonic

Raymond Ahner, a professional freelance photographer residing in San Francisco, California, is the Photography Editor for SF Sonic. Growing up in the Bay Area, Raymond was lucky enough to witness both the Punk and Thrash Metal scene of the 1980's explode literally right in front of his eyes. It was a pretty special time in his life and is what instilled his love for live music. Over the years Raymond has been fortunate enough to combine his passion for live music with his love of photography. And although he will always love shooting the big arena Rock show, it is in a tiny, packed to the rafters club were he his most at home with his gear.

Max Cavalera’s Soulfly Riots at The Ritz

Soulfly The Ritz, San Jose November 19, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner Soulfly’s stop at The Ritz in San Jose on their current tour proved once again why Max Cavalera

The Darkness Toasts Their Dreams at The Fillmore

The Darkness Fillmore Auditorium November 13, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner The Darkness brought their Dreams on Toast Tour to the historic Fillmore in San Francisco recently, with the kind of

David Byrne Burns Down the House at Bill Graham Civic

David Byrne Bill Graham Civic Auditorium November 17, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner David Byrne has always existed in a world slightly left of center, and his opening night performance

AFI’s Bay Area Homecoming Was Worth The Wait

Playing the Bay Area for the first time in just under two years, AFI returned to the Fox Theater stage (and their home turf) with the same unrelenting energy and

Garbage Puts It In the Bin After Over 30 Years

Garbage The Warfield October 24, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner After over three decades of defying genre lines and expectations, Garbage brought their farewell tour to San Francisco’s Warfield Theatre

The Who Says Farewell At Shoreline Amphitheater

The Who Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View September 21, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner Although they may be on their North American farewell tour, The Who proved once again why they

Cheap Trick Reigns In Napa

Cheap Trick Meritage Resort, Napa September 20, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner Playing the Meritage Resort in Napa on a recent warm Saturday evening, the legendary Cheap Trick proved once

Billy Idol and Joan Jett Rock The Greek

Billy Idol and Joan Jett Greek Theatre, Berkeley September 14, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner Billy Idol brought his signature sneer, punk roots, and rock ’n’ roll swagger to the

Japanese Breakfast Transforms The Masonic Into a Dreamland

Japanese Breakfast Masonic Auditorium August 28, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner After releasing their highly acclaimed new record "For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)" last Spring, indie dream-pop sensation Japanese

Less Than Jake Brings Ska, Punk, and Fishbone to The Regency

Less Than Jake Regency Ballroom August 1, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner Ska-Punk masters Less Than Jake hit the road earlier this Summer for a 31-show tour that sees them

Discontent Works for Dropkick Murphys and Bad Religion!

Dropkick Murphys and Bad Religion Fox Theatre, Oakland July 29, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner Seminal American Celtic punk rockers Dropkick Murphys are currently out on the road on the Summer

OMD Electrifies the Fox

OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) The Fox, Oakland June 15, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner Originally announced for 2024, OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) were unfortunately forced to cancel their

Metallica Triumphs At Levi’s Stadium

Metallica Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara June 22, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner After announcing their 21-date M72 North American Tour over 9 months ago, Metallica, arguably still the biggest band

Acid Bath Reunion Brings Out the Fans At The Fox

Acid Bath Fox Theatre, Oakland June 14, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner After announcing a handful of hugely anticipated festival dates earlier this year, a reunited Acid Bath steamrolled into the

Styx Brings All the Anthems to Concord

Styx Toyota Pavilion, Concord June 13, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner On the road and on the 40-date Brotherhood of Rock tour with Kevin Cronin and Don Felder, rock legends

Simple Minds Clearly Alive and Kicking at Toyota Pavilion

Simple Minds Toyota Pavilion, Concord May 20, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner Currently out on the road with their biggest US Tour in over four decades, Scottish legends Simple Minds

Coming Attractions

Lords of Acid to Lord Over DNA Lounge On May 27

Lords of Acid DNA Lounge May 27, 2025 Buy Tickets Lords of Acid are back on the road in 2025 with a brand-new tour that promises to be louder, wilder, and

Go-Gos Going Strong at The Warfield

The Go-Gos Warfield Theater May 13, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner After two weekends at Coachella, and just prior to a show in Las Vegas before the Cruel World Festival, The Go-Go’s

Punk In The Park Noisily Returns to the Bay

Punk In The Park Cow Palace, Daly City May 3, 2025 All photos by Raymond Ahner Presented by Brew Ha Ha Productions, and after moving from the outside parking lot

Machine Head Packs the Fox With Headbangers

Machine Head Fox Theater, Oakland April 5, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner Late last year, Bay Area metal stalwarts Machine Head announced a major 25-date US tour, which sees the