Quite apart from the band's breathtaking performance, the quality of the filming and sound recording really sets this DVD above most other concert footage - it truly looks like properly directed and coordinated piece of film, while seeming to retaining the organic, super charged atmosphere of the day. All the shots of the band, and the pan-outs of the whole concert are expertly pieced together, and in some places, even livened with some Matrix-like special effects to make this concert as pleasing to the eye as to the ear. If you doubt that the visual quality really adds to enjoyment of the music, watch and have your breath taken away by Don't Forget Me and By the Way, or witness the almost touching chemistry between the band, particularly John and Flea as they jam and play out the hits.

Musically, the band are on fire. Anthony's singing is the best I have ever heard it, both John and Flea milk their instruments for the most inspired and flawless solos (see The Zephyr Song or Don't Forget Me)and Chad remains the funk master. John's backing vocals at this show take the songs to a whole other level- his studio harmonising pales next to his live singing. By the Way, Otherside, Venice Queen are all given new feeling and depth with Frusciante's amazing voice. I really hate to talk down other Chili Pepper work, but this performance makes Hyde Park seem slap dash and amateurish!

Here are a few comments on a random selection of the songs played:

Scar Tissue - more upbeat than the album version. Crisp and clean and broken up with 3 great solos. It's also seriously cool the way it flows on from By the Way via an outro jam.

Universally Speaking - stripped of it's superflous studio effects, it's leaner, meaner and punchier. Even although it's quite a simple song, John and Flea play brilliantly, and John's little guitar licks make you want to bounce thru the roof when the chorus hits.

Don't Forget Me - just amazing. It's so expertly done, both by the band and in terms of the filming, that it sends shivers up my spine. Anthony's vocals are top notch, and John rips the air apart with some devasting guitar playing. The extra solo that he adds onto the end of the song is haunting and very affecting - just watch Anthony's face as Frusciante tinkles it out across the sea of swaying lighters.

Otherside - maybe my favourite performance on the DVD. Like all of the tracks, it's given extra life by Flea and John's clever licks. Great harmonising, and another simple but affecting solo.

The above though are by no means the best tracks, just ones that I chose to say something about. Every song is brilliant, each with it's own distinguising feature - e.g. the class intro to Parallel Universe, the unbelievable harmonising in Venice Queen, the great solos in the Zephyr Song and Around the World. The list goes on. Well, if you havent guessed yet - this is the best DVD ever produced.

The only things I would say against it are that 1) set list is heavily based on Calaforniacation and By the Way - there's not a lot of older material and 2) after hearing it, when you go back and listen to the album versions of the songs, they seem so stale in comparison!


A must-have for anyone who was there or any fan   June 28, 2005
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Having seen the Chilis 3 times over the last 3 years, I can say with ease Slane 2003 was the most memorable, electric and unforgettable of the three. Anyone who was there will know what I mean - the atmoshpere that day was unforgettable, the crowd were unbelievable and it certainly rubbed off on the performance of the band. I am glad to say this atmosphere was captured on the DVD, all the memories come flooding back whenever I watch it and as on the day the sheer scale of the crowd & the quality of the performance overawes me.

However I have to leave out one star because for some inexplicable reasons my favourite song of the night is omitted - 'Soul to Squeeze'. Its the only time I heard it live, and it was absolutely incredible (running out of superlatives here) to hear it live. I don't know why it was left out; maybe because John Frusciante broke a string during it? I don't know.

However this is only a tiny blot on an otherwise perfect landscape. If you want to in one sitting learn the value, ethos, power and sheer unforgetability of seeing RHCP live, buy this.


aa great concert and a great dvd   June 2, 2005
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

this dvd is class!! as one of the eighty thounsand people who were present at this gig, i can truley say that it captures the whole feel and atmposhere. it is just brillant.


Everybody's right..   January 11, 2005
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This DVD IS amazing! It is just so watchable, it truly showcases just how good the Chili Peppers are at what they do. Awe-inspiring to watch (particularly John and Flea). I've had it on every day for a week! I wasn't actually at this gig but was lucky enough to see them at Londons Hyde Park and watching this really does bring back memories. Do yourself a favour and buy it, then do your friends a favour and buy it them! Or save money and all watch it together :)