Crystal Buchberger
Silverstein
w/ Real Friends // Broadside // Greyhaven
May 4, 2025 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
©Crystal Buchberger
As the sun dipped below the Madison skyline on Sunday, May 4th, the sidewalks around The Sylvee swelled with a diverse mix of concertgoers. Silverstein’s 25 Years of Noise tour was a mere two hours away as we all stood in line waiting for the doors to open. There was an unspoken sense of anticipation in the air, the kind that only comes when you know you’re about to witness something both nostalgic and vital.
Greyhaven opened the night with a vengeance, erupting into their opening song ‘Welcome to the Party.’ Their blend of chaotic port-hardcore and metalcore set the crowd into an absolute frenzy. Brent Mills’ raw vocals and wild stage presence immediately grabbed everyone’s attention.
Check out our concert photos of Greyhaven below:
The crowd’s fists were pounding, heads were banging, and the mosh pit was already swirling.
Broadside shifted the pace into more melodic territory while keeping the energy at an all-time high. With soaring choruses and driving riffs, they played songs like ‘I Think They Know’ and ‘Dazed & Confused.’ Frontman Ollie Baxxter’s charisma was undeniable, and his crowd interactions kept people begging for more.
Check out our concert photos of Broadside below:
Their performance was a vibrant reminder that pop-punk is far from dead.
By the time Real Friends hit the stage, The Sylvee was packed tight and ready to riot. The emo heavyweights delivered a set that tapped into the emotional charge of the evening. “It’s a beautiful thing to be selfish sometimes.” Cody Muraro said while reminiscing about how it’s important to take care of yourself. His raw vocals kept the audience locked in – singing along to every lyric.
Check out our concert photos of Real Friends below:
When the stage lights dimmed one final time, and the familiar intro tones of Silverstein’s song ‘Skin & Bones’ rang out, the energy inside The Sylvee shifted from anxious to electric. The band leaned into the anniversary theme hard, playing a variety of songs ranging from ‘Infinite’ to ‘Smile in Your Sleep.’ The band took us on a journey through time, starting their set with newer tracks and ending on more nostalgic notes. Silverstein’s 25 Years of Noise tour felt like a time capsule and a lesson in how to evolve without losing heart.
Shane Told’s voice was razor-sharp, shifting effortlessly from brutal screams into clean acoustics. Paul Marc Rousseau and Josh Bradford delivered guitar riffs that were equal parts calculated and cathartic. Bassist Billy Hamilton and drummer Paul Koehler held the rhythm all together, powering through tempo shifts and breakdowns with precision. “How do you feel about old school, emo, campfire-style sing-alongs?” Shane asked right before breaking out into their song ‘My Heroine.’ The entire room sang along, filling the concert hall with vocals so loud that the floorboards shook.
Check out our concert photos of Silverstein below:
Silverstein brought a fierce and emotionally-charged performance to The Sylvee, rounding out their 25 Years of Noise tour with a lineup that balanced intensity, innovation, and raw heart. With blistering support from openers Greyhaven, Broadside, and Real Friends, the night delivered an unforgettable celebration of post-hardcore’s evolution – and its enduring ability to move people.
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