Pace Paw Print

On Feb. 22, heavy snow and freezing New York weather delayed many events; however, it did not stop the headlining bands Silverstein and friends, The Devil Wears Prada, A Day to Remember, and Protest the Hero from coming to New York City's Nokia Theatre in Times Square. On the second day of their tour, they were not going to let Mother Nature stop them. After all, they were on the Chillers: Bros in the Snow Winter Tour. For the next 30 days these four bands are going to tour across America, from east coast to west and then back to the east.

Dedicated fans lined up in front of the Nokia as early as noon in the cold. The apparel of the evening was skinny jeans, band hoodies and t-shirts, and Vans and Converse were the more fashionable sneakers worn. Although the weather was below freezing, fans standing close together in line provided a good source of body heat, therefore, waiting in line for long hours was not a problem.

Day slowly turned into night, when finally, at six o'clock the doors opened. Bags were checked and individuals were scanned. The coat check line and the bathroom lines were the more popular lines once fans got inside. The Nokia was slowly being filled up to the maximum, as this sold out show was bound to be a success. Diehard fans crowded in front of the barricades by the stage. As more and more people showed up, it felt like the theatre became a big home and all these kids were one huge family.

Everyone knew of or knew one another at the show. There was laughter, hugs, kisses, and the feeling of warmth and love. Anticipated fans had to wait yet another hour for the show to actually start. The stage was brightened with purple lights and filled with the band's equipment. Between the barricades and the stage, the security staff was preparing for the show as well, making sure their crowd surfers would be safe. Once the purple lights faded, screaming fans got excited and had their cameras in hand.

The show started off with opening act, Protest the Hero. This Canadian post hardcore punk band got the crowd hyped and energetic with fast rhythms and drum beatings. Lead singer Rody Walker built up some energy for himself with a Heineken beer in hand. The pits and crowd surfing started in no time. The jumpers and screamers were quite amused by Protest's performance, but majority of the crowd was waiting for the next act. Protest the Hero finished their five songs within their 30 minute set. Walker, before walking off stage, threw his beer can at the crowd and then the lights turned off.

The smell of body odor began to build up already and it was only 7:30. The members of A Day to Remember came on stage to do some sound check and instrument setup. The procedure took no more than 20 minutes. The stage went dark and band members, one by one, started to come on stage. The sounds of sirens built up anticipation in the crowd. Lastly, when lead singer Jeremy McKinnon stepped on stage the lights blasted and the drums started immediately. "New York, New York!" screams McKinnon as he started with the song "Fast Forward to 2012."

The hardcore punk band from Ocala, Florida was not familiar with cold New York weather, but they were very familiar with what their fans wanted. McKinnon raised his microphone to the crowd and let them sing for him. The band also covered Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone." The screamo remake of the song allowed everyone to sing along, because the lyrics are quite well-known. The band played many new songs from their re-released album, For Those Who Have Heart. Although it is fairly new, fans knew the song "Monument" and sang along to every word. McKinnon, with microphone in hand, jumped into the crowd, and lucky fans lifted him up as he chanted his lyrics. Sweat dripped down the individual band member's face, as their set was coming to an end. "You guys want to hear one more song?" shouted McKinnon. Fans responded with "woos," "yeas," and screams of all sorts. The last song was the one that got moshing and crowd surfing started. Security was in full awareness as they got crowd surfers back on the ground safely. The set was a little over 30 minutes. As A Day to Remember left stage, music started to blast while the next band set up.

"A Day to Remember was everything I expected it to be. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing them all again. They played an amazing set," said Tina Chu, a Pace freshman who enjoyed her snow day in the city.

It was moments before 8:30 as the Devil Wears Prada started to assemble their set. Fans were excited to see the Devil's return to the big apple. The night just began for most fans as they got ready to throw down to the music of the Devil Wears Prada. Lights went off, and fans screamed at the top of their lungs. The sound from the speakers vibrated heavily and made the floor shake like an earthquake. The red lights shinned at the Devil Wears Prada's banner in the background of the stage. It looks like the fans have arrived in hell to join the devils, only it was far from it for these Christian guys.

Mike Hranica, lead singer, came on stage and straight into the crowd. The Christian hardcore band from Dayton, Ohio was just as happy as the fans to be back in New York City once again. Guitarist and back up vocalist Jeremy DePoyster, got fans to sing along to their tunes. The breakdowns allowed fans to head bang and of course, mosh. This time around the Devils got a chance to play longer as they were the band to play right before the headliners. They played songs from both albums, and the energy was to the fullest both on stage and off at this point. Horns were thrown in the air and hair was waving back and forth from the head banging. As always, and at every Devils Wear Prada show they always say "We've all accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior." Their set left fans blown away.

The anticipation for headline Silverstein built up amongst the fans in the crowd. Dehydrated and tired fans would stick it out for at least another hour. The set up for Silverstein's set took quite some time, as the other band's equipment all needed to be moved off stage. The banner was up, the stage was set. It was now9:30.

Post hardcore/screamo band Silverstein made their way to stage and started with a familiar song from their most recent album, Arrivals and Departures. The screams and breakdowns bought shrieking fans to the air and into the pits. Shane Told, the lead singer, jumped right into the crowd, screaming the chorus in the fans' ears. The band played everything from their first, second, and third album. During the middle of the set, Told mentioned to the crowd how much they enjoy playing at New York, and that this particular crowd was so much better than the crowd in Massachusetts, where they played the night before.

Told made some dedications to his friends that were in the crowd. By the end of their hour set, fans were not ready to go just yet. The chanting of "one more song" grew louder and louder. Silverstein once again walks on stage and promised the crowd not only with one, but two songs. The two last songs played were "My Heroine" and "Smile in Your Sleep". Fans could not complain.

The show ended a little after 10:30. The exit of the Nokia was filled with so many grateful fans. Some caught up with friends after the show, and some went to the merchandise tables to see if they can catch one of the members of the bands. The snow didn't ruin everything after all.

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