New York (USA), May 20, 2003

By ANONYMOUS

All photos by MELISSA and NICK

I had SO much fun at the show...un-fucking-believable!!! so much that I surprised myself by not wanting to take any pics....I knew I'd remember everything and I wanted to stay in the moment... which for me is a lot cuz I love snapping them :D I loved the opening with Steam Will Rise, it was an unexpected, pleasant surprise -- I was staying in a hotel with no internet access, so I didn't read the reviews from the night before. I'm glad I couldn't though cuz everything was "fresh"... I didn't stop moving and singing the entire time....

That was my first Silverchair show, and first time in NYC, which I loved...I can't wait to go back, and maybe live there someday; those of you who do are so lucky!!!

The show was the best I've seen, and my mom was blown away by them, too; she hasn't seen a concert in like 30 years but can't remember seeing a better one (and she's seen quite a few). She had no idea they could play like that, or how talented Daniel is as a frontman/guirtarist/vocalist, and how awesome Ben, Chris and the keyboarders are--despite what I've told her ;) I loved the incense for effect...

I got in line by the Bowery Ballroom at 7pm with my mom; we were the only ones in my family making the trip from Tampa, FL, which was one hell of a kick-ass graduation gift. Doors were at 8, the Red West came on at 9...Silverchair followed at 10. The wait for the Chair was made pleasurable by the opening band, who were solid and not too shabby!

I know this isn't the order, but here are the songs as I remember right now:
Steam Will Rise....Had a real funky kind of groove in parts, f*cking awesome opener
Emotion Sickness
World Upon Your Shoulders
Luv Your Life
Tuna in the Brine
Across the Night - introduced it as a song about "dreams and shit",
probably said more...
Ana's Song
Without You
Miss You Love
the Greatest View - our "new favorite song" :D
The Door
Anthem - loved screaming "we are the youth!" & when the crowd did, Daniel said "I fucking love this city", which he said similarly a couple times through the night.
Freak ...one person crowd-surfed for about 10 seconds, in this song I think but it seemed out of place in the small crowd and the atmosphere. The club/venue itself was small but "very satisfying", the stage was unusually small but the Chair used it well. Someone, possibly the same mosh-guy held up a lighter in one of the slow #'s, Ana's Song or Miss You Love.
Lever - love the "jam" in this song - I think there was amp-humping and butt-shaking on behalf of Daniel in this #...I just thought it was funny ;)
Asylum - introduced as a single in Oz that many of us probably haven't heard, but of course many of us were singing along...Speaking of singing, the entire set was a massive sing-along-- it was great, I couldn't help singing too :) Lost my voice, in fact. Ahh it was worth it, and it's back now, the next day.

If I had to rate in on a scale of 1-10, it's a twelve, baby!

For those of you who may be wondering, or who didn't know about it, Daniel was wearing a long white dress/skirt thing under a jacket, which he talked about after a few songs: He said, "In case you haven't noticed, I'm dressed like a monk, or any religious person..." and started taking it off --by the way, I saw his tiny, silvery nipple studs...So the rumors are true! ha,ha.

After the show (around twelve) I ordered a coke and sat in the Bowery lounge with my mom, talking about the awesomeness we'd just seen, and relaxing. I got my picture taken between the drummer (I think) and bassist of Red West...who recognized my mom and I, cuz we had the same flight from Atlanta to New York; not only were we right in front of them on the plane and could hear them talking about Silverchair and we figured out who they were. My mom switched her bag accidentally with the bassist (the one with the blonde/mohawked hair). He came up to her and they switched by the luggage pick-up area...

We left the lounge around 12:20 or so, and when I went out I noticed a crowd had formed by the entrance to the venue. I asked a guy who was at the show why, and he said the band would be coming out soon and this was the only way out (I thought, "maybe they'll eject through the ceiling?!" ) I waited too, camera in hand and hopeful to get my Diorama CD signed, but when I heard cries of "I love you, Daniel!!" and went where the crowd was migrating to, I saw Dan getting into his limo, and going, "no, it's alright" or something...not much time for anything there. Some girls were chasing after him as it drove off (don't know if the the other band members were in the limo). Maybe some other time I'll get that autograph, from all of them but for now I'm completely thrilled to have seen the best band, in my opinion, LIVE....!!!

By ARIELA

After All These Years
World Upon Your Shoulders
Emotion Sickness
Without You
Luv Your Life
Tuna in the Brine
Across the Night
Ana's Song
Miss You Love
The Greatest View
The Door
Freak
Y2K

Encore:
Lever

My friend and I arrived at Bowery Ballroom at 10am, there were already a group of people in front of us. It was so hot outside. We wound up talking to the people around us. Turned out people had come from all over (georgia,north carolina, ohio, toronto, seattle, mass. etc). After waiting outside forever they finally let us in around 7. We had to wait in another area though for almost an hour. A little after 8 everyone had to run up the stairs to get a good spot. Luckily everyone who had waited all day was in the front row. I was right in front of Daniel's mic and there was no barrier so we were leaning right up against the stage.

The opening band was Red West, I personally wasn't too into them. They played for a half hour or so.

silverchair finally took the stage at about 10pm. Daniel made his way to the piano in the back of the stage and started with After All These Years. It was hard to see him back there but it was beautiful.

Every song sounded amazing. They were all very much into it.

Various things from the show: Daniel kept doing conducting motions Ben kept making the funniest expressions, it looked like he had something in his mouth the whole time During Across the Night it was great, Daniel took off his guitar and was dancing around, he thrusted his pelvis haha and during the "I don't wanna be lonely, I just wanna be alone" part, he was doing jerking off motions haha it was hilarious and at the end of the song, he bowed. At one point Daniel was talking about how they love New York bagels, cawfee, cream cheese, yellow taxis haha Near the end Chris shook some fans hands and then Daniel did too but he was also just waving his hand around near the crowd, teasing them At the end of Lever, Daniel took off his shirt and displayed his nipple rings and his new muscular body The setlist seemed short but they wound up playing for an hour and a half or so because a lot of the songs they dragged on with instrumental pieces, it was nice At the end Daniel bowed and was waving to the crowd (the wave was like he was on a float in a parade) Downstairs in the bar, Tom from Blink 182 and Billy from Good Charlotte were
spotted.

I waited with my friends at the end of the night to see if we could meet them but alas they all left pretty quickly. ah well It was an AMAZING show!! I'm very happy, It was good to see Daniel smiling a lot through out the show, Ben and Chris were smiling as well. They seemed to really be enjoying themselves.

Favorite quote of the night: "Baby I want love... and by love I don't mean sex... I mean a hug".

By PAUL

Tonight when the lights dim on stage at the Bowery Ballroom, it will mean more than just the band's cue to enter the stage. It will mean that for one hour and forty-five minutes, the lives of those in attendance tonight will be forgotten, and they will be transpotted to a new place mezmorized by a night truly any witness to this show would not forget. Simply put, Silverchair were brilliant!

The day started out as an early one for me. Leaving for New York City at 9:00 AM, I drove five hours to be apart of a show which promised to be unforgettable. Standing in line outside of the Bowery Ballroom is something you thought you'd never see in North America...Silverchair fans. Shirts from the Diorama era draped the bodies of nearly half the line which began to form at 6:00 AM that morning. In line, I was told the show here last night was overwhelming. Around 6:00 PM, I spotted Daniel Johns entering the building. Fans swarmed him for autographs and photos but in a very kind and considerate matter. A mere five minutes later, you could hear the faint sounds of Emotion Sickness and Steam Will Rise during soundcheck. A few fans I had made friends with in line swapped stories with me back and forth in anticipation waiting for the doors to open.

Tonight's opening act, The Red West were great. These guys show alot of potential to make a name for themselves in the future. They have a similar sound to both Coldplay and John Mayer. The band got the crowd geared up with a Smashing Pumpkins cover, and alot of interaction with the audience. The bass cut out during the last song, but with a good ol' turn the cheek attitude, the band continued on with a charming sense of humor winning this reporter over.

Before you could be ready for it, the lights dimmed, and the orchestral instrumental version of Across The Night played over the PA as the band entered the stage. Daniel Johns came out last in a long white dress with a coat over it and a ruby necklace dangling from his neck. The band played mostly songs from Diorama, with a handful from Neon Ballroom, two from Freak Show, and nothing off of Frogstomp (which is for the better). Not only has this band tightened up since 1999 and released their most brilliant album to date, they have also learned how to put on the most amazing show this reporter has ever seen. Daniel Johns truly knows how to work a crowd. He is unquestionably one of today's most charismatic performers. Using alot of manic-like crazy hand movements, he showed signs of the mad professor role he acted out in the Across The Night video (but better). The way he moved in the dress as well almost gave an eerie romantic feel. After a 90 minute set, the band returned for one last fare well encore with an awesome jam session at the end. Well done.

Honestly, this is a show you have to witness to believe. It exceeds any and all expectations as the band put on a show better than they ever have before. The crowd sings so loud it almost overpowers the PA. My only suggestion is that I think both Silverchair and the crowd could have done without Freak or Anthem For The Year 2000. This is a new band in my eyes, one I never want to see go away. However, with rumors circulating at the end of every tour they finish, you never know when you might or if you ever see these incredible musicians live again. Whatever the outcome may be, I wish Silverchair nothing but the best of luck in their time off, and I wish Daniel Johns the best of luck in his engagement and whatever work he decides to musically pursue next. Thank you Silverchair, the USA has really missed you.

SET LIST (in order)
Steam Will Rise
Emotion Sickness
Without You
World Upon Your Shoulders
Luv Your Life
Tuna In The Brine
Across The Night
The Greatest View
Ana's Song (Open Fire)
Miss You Love
The Door
Freak
Anthem For The Year 2000

--Encore--
Asylum
The Lever

By DEANNA

Needless to say, the show was absolutely amazing. Everyone at school today asked me how it went, since everyday for the past few months I felt the need to share the countdown with them, and the only words to describe it was amazing. I was completely in awe at how incredible they were.

We arrived at the Bowery a little later than I had hoped due to rush hour, which all of us commutors love so much (not). But we got there approximatley 6:30 and waited until 9:00 for the Red West. To be honest, they weren't really my type of band, but I have to hand it to them , they played very well and you could see that there was a great deal of talent, it just depends on what kind of rock you like. And the lead singer, boy did he have a voice..I was really impressed..and they appeared to be nice guys I was a little embaressed because the whole night I was sick and throwing up, and I found a garbage can because I couldn't make it to the bathroom, and some guy with a Hendrix shirt and Hawaii hat was asking me if I was okay, and I apologized for having to gross him out and he said it was okay, and then when the Red West came on stage I was like "OH my God! Haha, thats the drummer! That guy was with me when i was throwing up!"

Anyways, so there was a little more waiting and finally, the moment I had been waiting for for the longest time had arrived. my favorite boys walked on stage and started with Steam Will Rise, one of my favorites and I was very surprised and pleased that they played it. It was a lot longer and extended than on the cd. Next was Emotion Sickness and I went a little crazy when I heard the first few chords. Another favorite of mine (okay, just so I don't keep saying it, all of their songs are favorites of mine).

Without You was next and I could have melted then and there. I don't remember the order, but World Upon Yours Shoulders, Tuna in the Brine, Ana's Song, Miss You Love (another melting moment), Luv Your Life, Greatest View, The Door (this was really cool becasue this is such an amazing song, and they had really cool lighting for this and it added a really cool affect to the song, then in the middle they went into what sounded like a James Brown type thing {which is no shocker, since Ben is a huge fan of his} and before the song started Daniel seemed to be poking fun at the rappers today by mimicing them and their style). What else? Freak, (a lot of hip skaing on Daniel's part...nice), Anthem For the Year 2000 (in which we played the We Are The Youth "tennis"), Across the Night, Asylum (uh!, it was like butter, it was so smooth and gorgeous) and Lever which was wonderful because Daniel took off his jacket and tunic (which was cool because I was also wearing white cotton Indian styled garb..great minds think alike, haha) He has nipple rings! ( to die for, his body was a lot more muscular than what I would have imagined and it was very enjoyable to watch ).

The people there were really cool. It was a mixed crowd from hippies, punks, preppy looking people, it was all good, and everyone was so nice. Silverchair fans rock, some people drove from Texas and farway places to come see them so people who came a long way deserve a pat on the back. And there was a very nice security guard there named James. I don't like mean security guards, so it was nice to speak with a friendly one. So I was waiting to see them outside after the show because i wanted to give Daniel a shopping guide to animal-cruelty-free products, since he would have to do some shopping while he was here in the US, but he got in the car before I could, so some guy who was with the Red West ( also quite cute) said he'd give it to him (thank you cute guy from Red West) , so Daniel, if you got it, that was I.

Anyway, it was an amazing, fabulous, incredible performance, and a really enjoyable night, aside from my being sick, but I roughed it out, haha. Chris- awesome, fabulous bass action...he was really putting his whole body into the music..me and my friend were hypnotized by his playing Ben- sick..sick drumming it was craaazy ..drums are so cool Daniel- very comical and brilliant vocals and guitar..you could see the artistry in his playing..and a good dancer..he knows how to shake that thing (oh and he was also making some sexual gestures, shall we say, and played the giutar with his teeth...very cool)

They showed much gratitude to NY and talked about how they loved it so, and we love you just the same, boys! Daniel said something about being a local next year, but he may have been joking, but that would be nice (you boys are always welcome here) . Brilliance.. the show was absolutley insane.