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.

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

Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium Bring Tour to Masonic

Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium Masonic Auditorium April 3, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner After announcing a co-headlining tour late last year, long time metal-ists Bullet For My Valentine

Snow Patrol Gave Fans What They Wanted And More In Oakland

Snow Patrol The Fox Theater, Oakland March 24, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner Having just released their eighth studio effort The Forest Is The Path (Polydor Records) late last year,

The Linda Lindas Are Not To Be Missed

After releasing their acclaimed record, No Obligations on Epitaph Records last year, The Linda Lindas further advanced their unironic, joyful, and exciting trajectory of mashing up L.A. punk with post

Melvins Blitz SoCal

Melvins Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, Palm Desert March 7, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner Blasting up and down the California West Coast, the Melvins just wrapped up a quick

Cavalera Burns up Great American

Cavalera Great American Music Hall February 24, 2025 Photographs by Raymond Ahner Late last year Cavalera announced the 30 date "Third World Trilogy Tour," which sees brothers Max and Iggor

Frank Black Plays Teenager of the Year at The Fillmore

Frank Black The Fillmore Auditorium January 16, 2025 Photos by Raymond Ahner When Pixies frontman Frank Black announced that he would commemorate the 30th anniversary of his second solo album

King Diamond Tops His Set at The Fox

King Diamond The Fox Theatre, Oakland November 27, 2024 Photos by Raymond Ahner KING DIAMOND finally embarked on a long-awaited North American headlining tour early this Fall, and recently brought

Coming Attractions

KING DIAMOND Announces North American Headlining Tour

KING DIAMOND will embark on a long-awaited North American headlining tour this Fall! The Saint Lucifer’s Hospital 1920 trek will commence on October 15th in San Antonio, Texas and run through

Opeth and Tribulation Bring In Halloween at The Warfield

Opeth and Tribulation The Warfield Theater October 31, 2024 Photos by Raymond Ahner Opeth and Tribulation recently joined forces for a quick 16-date tour, which saw the bands traverse around

Testament Tops Klash of the Titans Tour Krushing It At the Warfield

Testament The Warfield October 27, 2024 Photos by Raymond Ahner Earlier this year Bay Area, thrash metal titans Testament announced the Klash of the Titans tour, which saw them out

Testament Headlines Tour With Kreator and Possessed at The Warfield

Testament The Warfield October 27, 2024 Buy Tickets Earlier this year Bay Area thrash metal giants Testament announced a co-headlining tour with Kreator and Possessed, billed as the Klash of

Sepultra Crushes It At The Warfield

Sepultra Warfield Theater September 24, 2024 Photos by Raymond Ahner After recently announcing that they would be calling it quits after a storied forty-year career, Brazilian metal icons Sepultura rolled

Album Review: Melt Banana’s “3+5”

Melt Banana 3+5 A-Zap Records With their first studio album in over a decade, Japanese noise rock legends Melt Banana are back, with 3+5, a record which is frantic, hooky,

Styx and Foreigner Reunite at Concord Pavilion

Styx and Foreigner Concord Pavilion, Concord July 1, 2024 Photos by Raymond Ahner Having last toured together way back in 2014, legendary classic rockers Styx and Foreigner announced the Renegades and

Vampire Weekend Amps Up The Greek

Vampire Weekend Greek Theatre, Berkeley Jun 15, 2024 Photos by Raymond Ahner To support their latest studio release Only God Above Us, long-time indie rock darlings Vampire Weekend recently announced a lengthy

Madness Show at The Fox Shakes It Up

Madness Fox Theatre, Oakland May 23, 2024 Photos by Raymond Ahner Having recently announced a string of US tour dates in support of their latest record Theatre of the Absurd Presents

Mission UK’s Fan Sing-a-Long at Great American Music Hall

Mission UK Great American Music Hall May 9, 2024 Photos by Raymond Ahner. After a very successful tour of America in 2023, seminal post-punkers The Mission UK returned to the

Pre-Party for Punk in the Park Prepares The Cow Palace For the Onslaught

Punk in the Park Cow Palace May Photos by Raymond Ahner Now in its fourth year, the So. Cal Punk in the Park festival has hit the road on its

Green Day Treated Fans to An Intimate Once-In-A-Lifetime Show at The Fillmore

Green Day The Fillmore, San Francisco April 2, 2024 Photos by Greg Schneider Teaming up with both the United Nations and the Recording Academy, the Bay Area's iconic Green Day