"After waiting for more than an hour after the scheduled performance time, Green Day fans showed no signs of fatigue or mercy as they barreled through the thin metal barricades today on Park Place. The NYPD and other local authorities had to literally brace themselves against the barricades as the band took the stage, and did not get a rest for the remainder of the show. The free, unadvertised show attracted many concertgoers both inside the barricades and on sidewalks, in shops and hanging out of windows on the closed-off city street. The ensuing atmosphere was one of sweat, chaos, and rock and roll. Green Day opened their set with American Idiot, pausing mid-song to help what appeared to be an injured woman, but losing absolutely no momentum or energy as they finished the popular single. The set continued with Jesus of Suburbia - a four-part, 12:00 song, and segued easily into Holiday, completing the first three songs of their new album, released on Friday. Abandoning the relatively unknown new material, Green Day made a one-eighty as they launched into Longveiw, their ever-popular teenaged anthem. The crowd sang along enthusiastically, perhaps empathizing with the "boredom" the song laments. The band continued seamlessly into She, another hit from their major-label debut, Dookie. The crowd was completely dominated by the band; after Holiday, they sang every word, obeyed every command, and lost no energy throughout the set. Green Day's set concluded with King for a Day, an extended version of Minority, and three covers, never losing their presence. After forsaking time restraints ("We're want to fucking play some music!") and meeting the anti-Bush comment quota, Green Day rolled into a full-length version of Queen's We Are the Champions to conclude their show, signifying that evening's triumph of rebellion and rock and roll."

Greendaylover321: "So I found out that Green Day was playing a free show in NYC on Wednesday, the 22nd, and of course I signed up to go (especially since I couldn't make it to any of the club dates) I actually live in Maryland, and NYC is about 3 hours away from me, but for Green Day, any trip is worth it. I left class early yesterday morning and set out to the Big Apple with my mom (who WANTED to go, lol, I taught her well) and we arrived at J&R music, where they are sponsering the free outdoor show, to pick up our wristbands, because only 500 people could get in and get close, and we were 2 of them. We waited what seemed like forever, and finally Green Day hit the stage. This was my 7th time seeing GD and all I have to say is that they get better and better with age. Opening with "American Idiot" and then launching right into "Jesus of Suburbia" and my new favorite "Holiday" the boys were energetic and sounded excellent. Billie Joe, Mike, Tre, and rest of the band were clad in mostly black and looked better than ever. They played a couple more new songs, "Are We the Waiting" and "St.Jimmy" and then went back to some old favorites like "Longview," "She," "King for a Day," and "Minority." They also pleased the crowd when they played their covers of "I Fought the Law" and "Shout" and ended the show with "We are the Champions" after convincing the crowd to vote "no" on George W. Although the set was only about an hour long (which was pretty long for a free show) it was well worth the 6 or 7 hours of driving I did. I already have tickets to see them twice more at the end of October, and all I have to say is DO NOT miss them on tour this time around because American Idiot is amazing. ****!!!"

green_tea: "Thanks to a friend of mine, I found out that Green Day was playing a free show in NYC... and oh how I danced. So after school one day I went with 2 of my friends to get a wristband at J&R Music World (which they didn't even check for at the day of the show... at least, they didn't check mine. The dude was yakkin away on his cell phone. ::makes a disgusted face::). Then on Wednesday we showed up way early, at like 3:30... they were supposed to show up at 5:00, but they showed up at 6:00... but it was okay because it was so worth it! They came out on stage and... dude Billie Joe just has this amazing presence... they opened with "American Idiot", and played the new album up to "St. Jimmy", and continued on with "Longview," "Basketcase," "She," "King for a Day," (which I had a little too much fun with... Billie Joe doing the fancy-schmancy-dance makes me very happy.)... umm.. they covered "Shout" (amazing...), "I fought the law" (The Clash), and they closed with "We Are the Champions" by Queen. I probably forgot something.. hmm... oh, "Minority," they did that, too. The crowd was insane, and I'm happy to report I didn't lose my shoes! woot!
Overall, an amazing show... an hour of free Green Day goodness. I wish they played longer, dammit... but hey, better than nothing."