*** Chicago 1 Fanviews Here 8/23/09 ***

jck33

10C #179,XXX and we were in section 112, after being on the floor for both United Center shows in 2006. I liked last night's seats better, because we could see the entire band.
The show was astonishing. The energy was awesome, setlist incredible, Eddie's voice better than ever, Mike's solos mind-melting. But I was mostly impressed by how much fun they seemed to be having. Maybe it's the absence of political unhappiness, maybe they're loving the new songs. Whatever it was, the guys were on fire and despite Jeff's loss, there was lots of grinning. Absolutely loved it.

pjsyco

Parksy wrote:

Hello All,

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/43230427.html

I'm pretty sure the show and poster was dedicated to this man.... (i hope im not wrong)

seemed like a very good man.

R.I.P.

Peace and Love everyone

I could be wrong, but isn't this the same man that Ed dedicated his spring tour to? I remember in the program on the first page the tour was dedicated to a doctor, and I believe this was the same guy? Anyone?

pjbugs007

pj.uw.laura wrote:

I just got back, and I can't wait for tomorrow's show! While my 10c seats were horrible (section 318, with my back against the wall in the last row), the sound was fantastic. I couldn't believe when I heard the opening note to Long Road- I've waited SO long to hear that song live.

Does that song kick major ass hearing and seeing it live Laura??

NB73931

Please tell me I wasn't the only one that heard Ed playing 'Ben' by Michael Jackson as the outro of Needle and the Damage and before the band launched into Rats.

AndySlash

Jusrt got home to St. Paul. Am exhausted.

Damn good show. Ed came out and his first words were something along the lines of "we've got a lot of emotion to work through tonight." It obviously showed in the set. Before Come Back (I think), Ed introduced Jeff and he explained that his friend Mike, whose birthday it was tonight, had been to all of the Chicago shows prior, but tonight was the first one he missed. Jeff asked if we'd sing Happy Birthday for Mike and the crowd obliged. Ed hugged Jeff and they played Come Back. It was the best version of that song I have heard. They played with a mission tonight, and if I am to infer anything, this night was for Mike. In addition to this, my friend's father committed suicide just over a month ago, and the show hit her hard, but in a good way I think. I just hugged her afterward. I had tears for her during Long Road and Man Of The Hour.

On another note, Ed mentioned before Given To Fly that they tried to arrange these shows to be played at Alpine Valley but for whatever reason that didn't work out.

I'll write more later, but I just wanted to get the initial thoughts out there for people to see. It was definitely a unique show tonight and, as usual, this band never ceases to move me in some way.

pjbugs007

alliw719 wrote:

Yeah my seats were pretty far back in section 305...

...but the show was absoutly amazing!

Am I the only one who got tears in my eyes when Long Road opened?

I get tears in my eyes everytime I hear Long Road Alliw719....
ahh shit I am a John Denver fan..I am a sap:)

srousseau

That was most definitely a snippet of Ben there. Very cool

Dreamfire2

The Real Me was my favorite of the new songs. For me that was when the show really took off.

DewieCox

Dreamfire2 wrote:

The Real Me was my favorite of the new songs. For me that was when the show really took off.

40 years old isn't new. Not a PJ song...The Who

JN257229

Another 10c set of nosebleed tix - hugely disappointing - really hoping for better tonight - would have been better to just buy on the street...

froggs

Great show last night!

Picked up our tickets very early, around 4pm. There was no line to speak of at that time. At 6pm when we got to the UC, the line was perhaps a 5-10 minute wait from what I could tell. Bad Religion was pretty great even though I only knew a couple of songs. I loved Sorrow!

We were sec 121 row 6 with my 150XXX Ten Club number and everyone around us was TC as well in the same range. It was the first time I've ever gotten anything except floor tickets in Chicago, which were never "worse" than R15. Initially I was surprised, even with all the out-of-towners I knew were going to be there, but our seats were very good, with nobody blocking the view in front of my 5'4" self. That said, for me, I missed that extra energy that I always feel when on the floor, the straight-ahead view and the sound quality.

I expected them to open with Release, wanted Last Exit, got Long Road and I was super happy. Rats ( ), Love Reign O'er Me, Needle and the Damage Done, In Hiding, God's Dice, Smile and the new stuff were definite highlights for me. I expect tonight we'll get a very different show; I'm hoping for Breath, but I'm not holding my breath, lol, Last Exit, Present Tense or the debut of something new from Backspacer. Oh, and floor seats, even if I have to wear platform heels just to see anything.

MO52086

Needle and the Damage Done is not getting nearly enough props. First time they've ever played it, more relevant than any other song they played last night for their friend that died, and not to mention an all-time great Neil Young song.

SOLAT319

That was an interesting mix of songs last night. They are in a great shape! It will only get better from here.
Bad Religion KICKED SERIOUS ASS!!!

yooperpj

What an amazing night! First off, the pre-party at moretti's was crazy. I think I heard them say it was the biggest one they have seen. I was fortunate enough to get there early and we got bar seats. We went there after the show for food to and they ran out of alot of beer. I dont think I have ever seen a bar run out of budlight bottles and they did! I really dont think Moretti's was ready for that yesterday but they did a good job.

We were about midcourt 100 level. I was pleased with that considering there were 300 level 10c tickets. Bad Religion was fantastic. I really didnt know what to expect but I will defenetally be buying some of their stuff.

PJ sound so good. Eddie looked like he was having the time of his life up there. Highlights for me were: Sad, Come Back was amazing, In Hiding, Man of the Hour, The new Songs, Love Reign, ah hell... all of it fucking was amazing. Cant wait for tonights show. Hoping for some porch, of he goes, and maybe pull out a different new one.

PurduePete55

Well the morning after I'm still having Got Some, Insignificance, Sad, and The Real Me churning through my head. Those four were really tight I thought. I thought God's Dice was a nice treat for sure. The Who songs were my high point of the night followed by a great version of Alive. RVM is still, I think, their best song live. I just love it. The best parts of the first set were Why Go and the Got Some/Spin The Black Circle combo from the consensus of my group. Pretty solid show overall, but I think it will be even better paired with tonight's show. There weren't too many rarities in the setlist outside of Man of the Hour, Rats, and the cover songs. Those were new to me. I'm really hoping for Footsteps or Hard to Imagine tonight. Also wouldn't mind some No Code tunes. For the record, my 10c seats were second row up in the 300 level corner. My sight lines were great and the band sounded great. I also didn't have to fight t-master at 10AM, so I was pleased with the location. Pretty cool to see that many fan club members from all over the country in town. I hope everyone enjoyed the city and the food. Speaking of which, if you're from out of town you should go to Frontera Grill for lunch, it is the crown jewel of Chicago dining in my opinion.

SOLAT319

MO52086 wrote:

Needle and the Damage Done is not getting nearly enough props. First time they've ever played it, more relevant than any other song they played last night for their friend that died, and not to mention an all-time great Neil Young song.

it wasn't the first time last night. Toronto's "DIY" opening act had that song too. Neverthless, it was beautiful

soulsinging

Dreamfire2 wrote:

Of the new songs I really liked THe Real Me better than The Fixer and Got SOme. MOre pumped for the new CD now

You know The Real Me is a cover song and is not a new PJ song and won't be on the new CD?

The show last night was pretty good. I was a bit exhausted... I literally landed at O'Hare at 6:30 after an Alaskan cruise vacation (in the 2 days prior to the show I went from Alaska to Canada to Seattle to Chicago) and raced to the UC just in time for the start of the band's set.

All the cover songs were highlights, as was Alive and Rats. Long Road and Come Back were stellar as well. Got Some was slightly better than on Conan, but still not my thing. Didn't much care for Supersonic either. A few too many of those kinds of songs in the set, but whatcha gonna do? Overall, strong show, but didn't floor me the way some in the past have.

Motown322

Teddyledbetter wrote:

Ten Club seats 153XXX Section 113 row 11
Our section was right next to the family and friends group- left of stage.
Everyone around me was same Ten club numbers.

I was in the section right over from you... 114, row 15. 10C number is 141xxx.

We were right in front of the family/friends group. I loved the spot; had no problem with it. I'd much rather be there than 30+ rows back on the main floor.

IlliniGuy76

Positives: Fantastic set.. great intensity. If you weren't at the show last night, and will be there tonight, you're in for a big time treat!!

Neg: I'm quite upset about the ticket situation. When I hear people in the 100 level at the United Center saying that they purchased tickets through a local radio presale password on Ticketmaster, and I'm sitting in the upper rafters of the 300 level (including a 10C member who I know who had the last row in the 300 level).. there is something seriously wrong. I'm not paying 10C member money every year to sit in the upper rafters, and have (potentially) a casual fan purchasing tickets through a local radio presale. That's not why the 10C was set up, and not what it should be used for. They - being Pearl Jam - must address this.

erik768

Solid show. Ten Club got me great seats in 101 row 16. Only complaint was the sound. Could barely hear Eddie, which is a shame since he sounded outstanding in Toronto. I've been very happy with the shows so far. Looking forward to the boot.