cerejanebellum
Just back from the Newy show. Here's a breakdown/synopsis... feel free to ask any questions!
I arrived about 7:45 due to wardrobe and hair malfunctions and there was a huuuuge merch lineup. I felt a bit awkward as I was there alone, so I grabbed a soft drink and stood around awkwardly as I didn't want to get stuck in the merch line when the show was about to start.
We were let in about 8:10, and I was in the 4th row stage left. The crowd was a real mix of ages - there was a super cute kid with his mum, Daniel seemed to know them somewhat or perhaps they've met, as he shook the kids hand vigorously a couple times. I was seated next to a lovely couple who were probably my age (45) but the woman told me I looked too young for Silverchair, so that was lovely 💕 Behind me was a girl probably in her teens who gave me a Young Modern bracelet she'd made à la TS bracelets, which was adorable and I love it.
The prelude was Daniel acting as radio host of Future Never radio - doing funny intros in that kind of theatrical voice he does sometimes (think YM era concerts). Before the Greatest View played he said he was watching all of us from his "private box". During the prelude they played: If you keep losing sleep, Thieving birds pt 3, Greatest View, Preach, Across the Night, When we take over, Emotion sickness, Mansions. There might have been another but I don't think so.
The actual show started about 8:40, with Dylan Lewis coming out. He is a great host- really natural and funny without being cheesy. He also really seems to care deeply about Daniel and the music and just art/creativity in general. He intro'd Luke Elben who came out in a sweatsuit that was sort of lavender tie-dyed graffiti and he joked that Dan had done his washing.
When Dan came out, he was wearing a Prince Purple Rain tshirt with the sleeves cut off, a large silver chain and black shorts, and had on what appeared to be a purplish-grey (?velvet) fedora on that was awesome. He didn't seem nervous at all - very jokey and all smiles. Dylan remarked on how he'd been nervous at the Sydney show but he felt relaxed this time because he was in Newy and this was his family. Dan himself remarked that a couple of times, and asked for the house lights to be turned up a few times so he could see everyone.
Like in Sydney, they opened with the Freak performance with What So Not. The audience seemed to really get into it.
When they started to discuss and play the demos, Dan and Luke kept getting ahead of themselves and discussing the Emotion sickness one that was coming next. It was quite funny and sweet, and they kept saying how Dylan was really keeping them on task.
The first demo was the All the time in the world one from Neon ballroom (same as Sydney). They didn't talk about it too much except when Dylan asked Dan why it didn't go on the record he said that sometimes he makes things just for him. I don't think they played quite the whole thing.
The second demo was Emotion Sickness, which had been found and sent by Julie (Dan's mum) to Heath because she thought they should definitely use it for the evening. Dan hadn't heard it since he was 17. It was really cool- even on the little 4-track demo you could hear the shape of it and imagine the orchestrations and how they'd fit in. Dan said after that maybe he should release that one for free and seemed enthusiastic about it, but then later said "I'm going to get in trouble for that", so not sure what that meant exactly or if he'll upload it to the guitar pick, etc.
The third demo was called Take One (I believe) and it was very cool. Electronic but heavy, very melodic. Dylan said it reminded him of Johnny Rotten's post Sex Pistols band Public Image Ltd., and I can kind of see that. Dylan asked when it would be released etc etc and Daniel never really addressed that.
One of the best parts was when Dans childhood friend James came up and showed a few pics of them as kids and talked about playing cricket and football with Dan. He said the best part about what he was contributing was that you couldn't google it.
Which brings me to my personal disappointment about the evening - it was pretty obvious Dan and crew were more restrained with what they were saying and with playing more/whole demos because of the Sydney show being recorded. Dylan, Dan and Luke all separately referenced it being recorded and "well we know it'll end up on the internet" and said "thanks Reddit" at least three times. The only shout outs were to the film crew, Heath (who was there) and Daniel's mum (who was there but I didn't see her). There was no mention of Ben and Chris.
Obviously I wasn't there at the Sydney show, but I'd be super curious to see what the difference in overall vibes were like... from people's descriptions of Dylan becoming emotional and some of Dan's comments etc, I think tonight may have been more guarded. I've seen a couple IG lives that kind of referenced the same thing. I was also surprised at the way the conversation part ended - it seemed kind of abrupt, Luke just sort of suddenly signed off and peaced out, and then Daniel did too but in such a way that I personally was a bit like wait a minute! We'd like to give you a standing ovation! Maybe I was just oblivious but I was confused as to whether they were coming back again.
After a short interval during which "new" music played, we went back in to watch the movie. The interval music was cool - there was one song about a river that sounded really beautiful and to my ear almost had elements of classical-style guitar playing. There was another new song I can't remember much about at the moment but I genuinely liked it.
About the movie - I don't have much to add to the previous descriptions, except to say that I in no way took anything in the film as a hint or suggestion that Silverchair are getting back together. The soundtrack is cool and I'd like to get a copy of it or perhaps it will be uploaded to the pick.
I do think they'll do something releasable in the future because they had a videographer - at least I think he was recording and not just doing stills.
Ultimately I do think the night would have benefitted slightly from being a little bit more scripted just to give a little bit more time to the demos etc, but it felt genuine and Daniel seemed healthy and happy and in good form.
