Columbus,
May 24, 1999
Set List:
Emotion
Sickness
Israel's Son
 Slave
Pure Massacre
Abuse Me
Ana's Song
Suicidal Dream
Paint Pastel Princess
Madman
Point Of View
Tomorrow
Miss You Love
The Door
Freak
Anthem For The Year 2000
Australian National Anthem
Satin Sheets
No Association
By Violet
Check out more of her photos!!!
Silverchair
fans learned Tuesday night that silverchair, as musicians,
aim to please. Not only did they manage to leave a crowd of
all ages breath-taken, but by the end of the show, chants
for more were still rising throughout the Newport Music Hall.
 Newport
is located in the heart of Columbus, a block away from Ohio
State's campus. By 7 pm people were pouring into the double
doors, getting their bags checked and tickets torn. The lights
were low, only emphasizing the old feeling of theatre and
drama that invaded the relatively small music hall.
As you
walk in, the smell of nag chamba and cigarette smoke filters
through your skin and hair. You look about to find the hall
packed mostly with kids 14-19. However, there were enough
adults there to make you realize that silverchair isn't for
kids anymore.
The lights
came down at a little after 8 to allow a performance from
a local band called "Superstar Rookie". It's strange
to hear a moderately punkish band open for silverchair, but
then again, it takes all kinds. Ironically, the lead singer
of Superstar Rookie claimed to despise silverchair in the
past. However, after the phenomenal performance of the main
act, perhaps he changed his mind.
 The
lights grow dim again around nine, after the stage is thoroughly
decorated with neon threads of color and light. Everyone's
impressed by the setup... It encourages imagination, and truly
represents the newest release by the band. As they walk on
stage, the crowd roars to life. They take up their instruments,
and break into the heart-wrenching "Emotion Sickness".
They work through their first three songs with passion and
without comment, before Daniel finally speaks into the microphone.
He's hard to understand, but he says at the end of his small
speech "Everyone continue to Rock, and we'll continue
to provide the rock."
The show
runs as one might expect it to, with random interludes pertaining
to butts from Daniel and the purest rock you've ever heard.
There are many highlights to the evening, including Daniel's
desperate attempt to silence the crowd. "We're going
to play a game. All right, on the count of three, I want everyone
to just be quiet." Surprisingly, his first attempt is
successful (with the exception of the "fuckwit jock"
in the back... Isn't there always at least one?), though his
second only encourages the crowd to cheer. He gives his Tool-esque
Hallelujah speech, adding "Do you believe in the spirit
of Rock and Roll?" to the god/satan questioning statement,
then pounded into the Door... Which suddenly sends the crowd
into ravenous thrashing and pounding.
 Their
last song before the encore is Anthem for the Year 2000, and
Daniel continues his tradition of shouting "We are the
Youth!" to the crowd. Everyone becomes involved, including
the adults still posting out the sides and back of the venue.
As the song wraps up and the stage becomes dark, the crowd
chants "silverchair", still craving more.
The encore
performance is the best yet... Satin Sheets comes first, followed
by a ripping performance of "No Association". Daniel's
voice almost falters, but still holds strong as he walks to
the front of the stage and thrashes his guitar as much as
the strings could take.
As you
slip out of the venue and head towards the back in hopes of
catching a glimpse of the boys before they head onto their
next destination, you realize that the smell of nag champa
and cigarettes will probably remain in your hair for days.
The bruises from the pit may last a week or so. But the sight
and sound of such an amazing band will leave a scorched impression
in your memory forever. |
