My first time seeing Eddie Vedder.
Sleep.With.Innocence
Posts: 607
Guess this could be a fan view, but to me it felt so much bigger than that, life changing so to speak. Just wanted to share my story.
So last night I saw Eddie Vedder in the Ryman, it was kind of a big deal.
Let's just say I went into the concert with the mentality of having a "life changing" experience, and I wasn't disappointed in the least.
The original plan was for my mom to take me to the Ryman, and then she was going to spend the night on "Honky Tonk" row and watch the bands at all the local bars. When we arrived at the Ryman I was struck by it's beauty, and decided to buy my mom a ticket. I figured she'd really enjoy it (I was right
). I bought her ticket at 2:00, and she got first row balcony, center stage, seat A. Her seat was actually a little better than mine, but I decided to let her keep it. I'll enjoy seeing Vedder anywhere.
When I was at a club next to the Ryman listening to some local band a fan showed me a picture they took of Vedder. Earlier in the day my mom suggested that maybe we should sit out and wait for him, I told her "If you knew Ed like I knew, you'd understand he gets enough of that. Lets give him his space." (Take my hand not my picture) Anyway when I actually saw the picture of him getting off the bus I was speechless already. It was all beginning to set in.
I ran into a lot of people that I knew. It was the first time I've ever actually shared any of my Pearl Jam stories in person. It was really cool having people from "the pit" recognize me just based off my picture. Anyway I loved actually being able to talk about Pearl Jam, and I did it with everyone I got the chance to. I wish I wasn't terrible with names, because I met a lady in line waiting to get in who was amazing. She told me about how incredible it was to see Breath live, I really enjoyed hearing all of her stories (If you're reading this, send me a PM)
I was probably around the first 20 in, so I got my merch quick. I bought a white Eddie Vedder t-shirt and a wallet! I went back to my seat, and found out that my shirt was to big. So I went back in line to exchange it and the line was crazy long. Anyway I started chatting with this dude named Chris from Nashville. We must have talked about no code for 10 mins. He told me that I was lucky to be here. He then said that he had a bunch of old (90's) ten club singles to sell, and instead of selling them he was going to mail them to me! He told me that he would rather give them to someone who would really appreciate them then sell them.
When I got back to the stage and sat in my seat Liam Finn started playing. What people don't understand is that Liam Finn is absolutely amazing. That guy is talented. It really pissed me off to see someone play with as much passion as he did, and have to listen to a bunch of people chat through his entire set. It takes balls to do what he's doing, show him the respect he deserves.
There was an empty seat by me. During Eddie's first few songs a guy named Thomas tried to stand in the Isle, I scooted over so we could cram in for a little while. I sat on the edge of my seat so the two people next to me had plenty of room. I felt greatful for my seat, and wanted to share the experience with someone else. So for the first 3 or 4 songs, I sat by Thomas. I'll probably never see him again, but I felt good knowing that I probably made his day by sharing my seat with him.
The guy sitting next to me was David (DpPhoto from the board) he was a damn cool guy. He told me that tonight was going to be a special night because it was in the Ryman, he was right.
Seeing Eddie on stage alone was breath taking. I don't think he personally knows how much he's impacted my life. His ideologies and his beliefs, the way he carries himself, and the humility he has is truly not worthy. And it is also evident in his playing. When I saw him walk on stage I jumped all over Dave. I felt bad for the guy (He plays hockey, he could whip my ass) but what can you expect? That was my first time ever seeing Ed in person. At that moment I looked at Dave and said "Forgive me, I have a terrible voice and I am going to sing my heart out tonight." He looked at me calmly and said something along the lines of "Go for it!"
I sang sometimes I was so glad to hear Thumbing my way after you. Seeing along with Eddie is pretty rad (to say the least) I love how the lights came on when he wanted the crowd to sing. Singing Gone was a blast to. That's probably my favorite off of their self titled record, so I felt really lucky to hear it.
I loved all the covers. I loved singing and dancing during Porch and small town. I sang porch as loud as I possibly could, then afterwards I quickly apologized to everyone around me. They all laughed and told me to "rock on." I think they knew I felt like a kid in a candy store.
I GOT TO HEAR BELIEVE YOU ME. Enough said.
Then Eddie (honestly the only song I wanted to hear that night) played, Wishlist. Being the huge Yield fan that I am, this was probably one of the most happiest moments of my entire life to date. Singing Wishlist with Eddie is something special.
Arc? Good God. His vocals are stunning. Anyone who thinks Eddie's vocals have gotten worse with time need to hear him sing Arc. It is stunning.
Hard Sun. I sang and danced in the isle. The old lady at the Ryman yelled at me, so I did what any sensible, respectful young man would do, and I kept dancing.
It was breath taking. I love everything about Eddie. Everyone told me that seeing Eddie live would make my obsession (because that's really what it is for all of us) and I didn't believe them. When I left they had all proved me wrong.
It was the best concert of my entire life. I loved meeting the people, and I loved hearing the songs I have had on repeat for years and years. The Pearl Jam community truly is a great one.
So last night I saw Eddie Vedder in the Ryman, it was kind of a big deal.
Let's just say I went into the concert with the mentality of having a "life changing" experience, and I wasn't disappointed in the least.
The original plan was for my mom to take me to the Ryman, and then she was going to spend the night on "Honky Tonk" row and watch the bands at all the local bars. When we arrived at the Ryman I was struck by it's beauty, and decided to buy my mom a ticket. I figured she'd really enjoy it (I was right
). I bought her ticket at 2:00, and she got first row balcony, center stage, seat A. Her seat was actually a little better than mine, but I decided to let her keep it. I'll enjoy seeing Vedder anywhere.When I was at a club next to the Ryman listening to some local band a fan showed me a picture they took of Vedder. Earlier in the day my mom suggested that maybe we should sit out and wait for him, I told her "If you knew Ed like I knew, you'd understand he gets enough of that. Lets give him his space." (Take my hand not my picture) Anyway when I actually saw the picture of him getting off the bus I was speechless already. It was all beginning to set in.
I ran into a lot of people that I knew. It was the first time I've ever actually shared any of my Pearl Jam stories in person. It was really cool having people from "the pit" recognize me just based off my picture. Anyway I loved actually being able to talk about Pearl Jam, and I did it with everyone I got the chance to. I wish I wasn't terrible with names, because I met a lady in line waiting to get in who was amazing. She told me about how incredible it was to see Breath live, I really enjoyed hearing all of her stories (If you're reading this, send me a PM)
I was probably around the first 20 in, so I got my merch quick.
I bought a white Eddie Vedder t-shirt and a wallet! I went back to my seat, and found out that my shirt was to big. So I went back in line to exchange it and the line was crazy long. Anyway I started chatting with this dude named Chris from Nashville. We must have talked about no code for 10 mins. He told me that I was lucky to be here. He then said that he had a bunch of old (90's) ten club singles to sell, and instead of selling them he was going to mail them to me! He told me that he would rather give them to someone who would really appreciate them then sell them.When I got back to the stage and sat in my seat Liam Finn started playing. What people don't understand is that Liam Finn is absolutely amazing. That guy is talented. It really pissed me off to see someone play with as much passion as he did, and have to listen to a bunch of people chat through his entire set. It takes balls to do what he's doing, show him the respect he deserves.
There was an empty seat by me. During Eddie's first few songs a guy named Thomas tried to stand in the Isle, I scooted over so we could cram in for a little while. I sat on the edge of my seat so the two people next to me had plenty of room. I felt greatful for my seat, and wanted to share the experience with someone else. So for the first 3 or 4 songs, I sat by Thomas. I'll probably never see him again, but I felt good knowing that I probably made his day by sharing my seat with him.
The guy sitting next to me was David (DpPhoto from the board) he was a damn cool guy. He told me that tonight was going to be a special night because it was in the Ryman, he was right.
Seeing Eddie on stage alone was breath taking. I don't think he personally knows how much he's impacted my life. His ideologies and his beliefs, the way he carries himself, and the humility he has is truly not worthy. And it is also evident in his playing. When I saw him walk on stage I jumped all over Dave. I felt bad for the guy (He plays hockey, he could whip my ass) but what can you expect? That was my first time ever seeing Ed in person. At that moment I looked at Dave and said "Forgive me, I have a terrible voice and I am going to sing my heart out tonight." He looked at me calmly and said something along the lines of "Go for it!"
I sang sometimes
I was so glad to hear Thumbing my way after you. Seeing along with Eddie is pretty rad (to say the least) I love how the lights came on when he wanted the crowd to sing. Singing Gone was a blast to. That's probably my favorite off of their self titled record, so I felt really lucky to hear it. I loved all the covers. I loved singing and dancing during Porch and small town. I sang porch as loud as I possibly could, then afterwards I quickly apologized to everyone around me. They all laughed and told me to "rock on." I think they knew I felt like a kid in a candy store.
I GOT TO HEAR BELIEVE YOU ME. Enough said.
Then Eddie (honestly the only song I wanted to hear that night) played, Wishlist. Being the huge Yield fan that I am, this was probably one of the most happiest moments of my entire life to date. Singing Wishlist with Eddie is something special.
Arc? Good God. His vocals are stunning. Anyone who thinks Eddie's vocals have gotten worse with time need to hear him sing Arc. It is stunning.
Hard Sun.
I sang and danced in the isle. The old lady at the Ryman yelled at me, so I did what any sensible, respectful young man would do, and I kept dancing. It was breath taking. I love everything about Eddie. Everyone told me that seeing Eddie live would make my obsession (because that's really what it is for all of us) and I didn't believe them. When I left they had all proved me wrong.
It was the best concert of my entire life. I loved meeting the people, and I loved hearing the songs I have had on repeat for years and years. The Pearl Jam community truly is a great one.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
Welcome to the Jamily. Your baptism is complete. I can not believe how high my expectations are with this band and Eddie and how they always find a way to blow them completely out of the water.
I felt a lot like you do after the DC show I say last year. I was lucky enough to end up in the 5th row. I wasnt as energetic and vocal as you. I was kind of sitting there in awe. I remember I kept shaking my head because I couldnt believe how awesome this was. It was almost a religious experience. It is still a great treat to see him live, but the 2 Philly shows this year didnt have quite as much luster as the first.
But nice post there. I read the entire thing
As a mom, I know that meant a lot to her... knowing how much the band means to her child and getting the better seat. I'd have hugged my child and say thanks for thinking of me...but keep that better seat to yourself!
You're a great kid! I'm so glad you had a great time!
And I agree - Liam Finn and EJ are so amazing! I really really enjoyed them very much!
EV: It's your band.
~Q Magazine
"Kisses for the glow...kisses for the lease." - BDRII
2006: Vienna 2009: Berlin 2010: London ~ Berlin 2012: Amsterdam 1+2 ~ Werchter ~ Arras ~ Berlin 1+2
2014: Milano ~ Trieste ~ Vienna ~ Berlin 2018: Padova ~ Rome 2022: Budapest ~ Vienna
EV London/Hammersmith 2012
EV Berlin/Zitadelle 2017
Anyway, my girlfriend is a college English professor, and she wanted me to let you know that what you wrote is better than most of her Freshman essays that she reads, and that the Ten Club should hire you in some Cameron Crowe-esque fashion!
I'm so glad you had a wonderful experience! I had one as well! Keep rockin! See you at the next gig.....
The only thing I would have changed about the night is that Eddie forgot the lyrics/how to play "Believe You Me". I was awestruck when he started playing that and just looked at my buddy with my jaw on my chest. Then he said, "Is he really playing 'Believe You Me' or did I just pass out and I'm dreaming?" I didn't know the answer! Then I was shocked because some of the people around me (who let us know they were all in the fan club also) didn't know what song it was! I was like, "ITS BAD RADIO GUYS! C'MON!" Anyway, if only I was sitting a few rows closer, I would have yelled out the words and the chords to that song so he could finish!!
I've got a Bad Radio demo tape called "What the Funk" that begs to differ... Along with "I'm Alive", "Homeless", and "What the Funk"
I dunno, am I wrong?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJumoZfeVC0
I thought the world...Turns out the world thought me
believe you me is a bad radio song. You are 150% right on that one.