This is a very interesting post. I do understand everyone's feelings in this regard. For example, in 2006 I saw PJ at Grand Rapids, MI. I was sitting behind a woman who had seen the band off and on for the past 8 or so years in Michigan when they would come around. She was more of a casual fan, saying that "Ten" is her favorite record and she still listens to it regularly. So she was excited and standing up when the band took the stage and played the first few songs, (Small Town, Given to Fly, Life Wasted, etc.) but pretty much sat down for the majority of the show except when a song from "Ten" was played. Before the show started she mentioned the one song she was really anxious to hear was "Black". She had seen them around 4-5 times and they've never played "Black". I've seen "Black" around 3 times live and on that tour they played it in Chicago about 2 shows prior to that, and I said to her, "Since they didn't play it last show, the chances are decent they'll play it tonight, but you never know with these guys." So with my crazy luck, the whole night I got treated to some real big fan favorites, "Around the Bend", "Parting Ways", "Sleight of Hand", "Satan's Bed", "Off He Goes", "Leatherman", "Red Mosquito", "Hard to Imagine", and "Sad". Even with all of that, I still felt bad for the fan in front of me because they didn't play "Black" that night.
I guess what I'm trying to say is if you're fortunate enough to get to the show early, talk with the people around you about the band and see what is the biggest reason/song they are there for. Most people will say "It's f**king Pearl Jam, man!" But, just because someone doesn't go crazy for every song, it doesn't mean they are a bad fan. That woman who was there was still dedicated to "Ten" after 15 years of its release as of 2006. I'll never forget Grand Rapids because of that conversation we had before the show. So if people from the band or their staff read this, please play "Black" in Grand Rapids for this tour if you play there! You have a fan who deserves it!
This is a very interesting post. I do understand everyone's feelings in this regard. For example, in 2006 I saw PJ at Grand Rapids, MI. I was sitting behind a woman who had seen the band off and on for the past 8 or so years in Michigan when they would come around. She was more of a casual fan, saying that "Ten" is her favorite record and she still listens to it regularly. So she was excited and standing up when the band took the stage and played the first few songs, (Small Town, Given to Fly, Life Wasted, etc.) but pretty much sat down for the majority of the show except when a song from "Ten" was played. Before the show started she mentioned the one song she was really anxious to hear was "Black". She had seen them around 4-5 times and they've never played "Black". I've seen "Black" around 3 times live and on that tour they played it in Chicago about 2 shows prior to that, and I said to her, "Since they didn't play it last show, the chances are decent they'll play it tonight, but you never know with these guys." So with my crazy luck, the whole night I got treated to some real big fan favorites, "Around the Bend", "Parting Ways", "Sleight of Hand", "Satan's Bed", "Off He Goes", "Leatherman", "Red Mosquito", "Hard to Imagine", and "Sad". Even with all of that, I still felt bad for the fan in front of me because they didn't play "Black" that night.
I guess what I'm trying to say is if you're fortunate enough to get to the show early, talk with the people around you about the band and see what is the biggest reason/song they are there for. Most people will say "It's f**king Pearl Jam, man!" But, just because someone doesn't go crazy for every song, it doesn't mean they are a bad fan. That woman who was there was still dedicated to "Ten" after 15 years of its release as of 2006. I'll never forget Grand Rapids because of that conversation we had before the show. So if people from the band or their staff read this, please play "Black" in Grand Rapids for this tour if you play there! You have a fan who deserves it!
Was that the Grand Rapids show where they gave people with high numbers front row seats?
I didn't go and went to the Palace the next night and found out about the people in my number range getting front row seats. I could have kicked myself.
This post has been a nice time killer for me at work tonight. I guess I will add in my 2 cents. Personally, I am the type that pogo's and sings and waves my hands. If others don't it's not that big of a deal to me, just kind of a Debbie Downer. However, I will say that when people arn't really into the music, or don't seem to be having fun, it does make me feel bad. Bad because I totally worship this band. I love their music so much sometimes it makes my chest hurt. All of us are waiting for that special night when we get to be the ones actually going to the show instead of reading the setlist online. And when that time comes and I totally explode with all this adoration, well it is a buzz kill to have to person next to you acting like they are waiting in line for the DMV. I also don't want the band to be dissapointed. Not in me personally, because I totally rock out. But dissapointed in the crowd in general.If the crowd sucks I know it is not a direct relection of how I feel about the band, but I want to make them proud. Like " here we all are, see how much we love you all? You make me feel so good everyday, and this is the one time that I can give it all back to you." I guess in a way maybe we are all seeking approval from the band and we don't want the cell phone junkies or crazy make out session couple getting in the way of our experience. And it is kind of a shared experience, they play the songs, we rock out to them. It is our end of the bargin. For most of us, listening to PJ is not a half ass exersise, we are fully on the train so to speak. Sometimes it is hard for me to realize that many other people go to the show because they think Pearl Jam has some good songs and that it, just some good songs. I guess I tend to see the band in a more utopian way, and then when I go to the show it is a bit of a reality check. If we were talking about fan club only shows, and people were still stiting down and still texting the whole show, well then I guess it would be more cause for alarm
This is the first time I am posting here, but I think this is such a valid point, and I think it brings up something very interesting.
I think it is honestly time for some fans to hang it up and stop going. Not fans who "aren't enthusiastic". Fans who are simply not enjoying themselves at the shows anymore. When I came here to look around and see what people thought, I saw a ton on complaints about the Philly 4 setlist from people who were there (complaints of repeats, not enough obscure songs, etc.). I mean, when you hit the point where they play 41 songs, 3 hours and 40 minutes, and basically play their hearts out the whole time, and you have have a bone to pick about setlist selection, just hang it up, man. You've been to too many shows. I've been to a lot of them, and have seen Even Flow at almost all of them, and yet, when those opening chords blare out of those amps, I still get excited. Every time. Pearl Jam shows are supposed to be fun, and entertaining, and uplifting, and all that fun stuff that I still get out of seeing them every time. When you start treating it like a math equation (what ratio are they playing this song) and/or treating hit songs like you are taking lumps for the greater personal good of just maybe seeing a couple of songs you haven't already seen...just seems a little unhealthy.
I've been feeling this way for about 3 or 4 years...Pearl Jam fans have always seemed so great, and friendly, and make for the most phenomenal atmosphere (whether standing, sitting, or dancing), but the last few tours have been very strange. The band seemed to expand the number of songs they play on tour because the fans eat up rarely played songs, but at the same token, seems like a lot of people are going in the hopes that they will only play unreleased tracks. It got to the point last year where I had more fun in the non-10 Club seats because those fans seemed more appreciative of the band and what they do night in and night out.
So my plea is appreciate it. They just played a 3.5 hour, 41 song set. Stop splitting hairs on what was a landmark show in this band's career. Their energy was great, the crowd's energy was great, and the whole concert was simply out of this world phenomenal. And most of all, thank you Pearl Jam for doing what you do, night in and night out.
Amen brutha!! (or sista!) ;-)
I've felt this way for a long time as well. I rarely come on here anymore because it seems like going to shows and what shows you've attended has become a "competition". It's all about this show being EPIC....that show is EPIC...woohoo they broke out RIVAL!! (when was Rival really that rare of a gem anyway?) etc, etc, etc.
When you consider that they play a different set list each night that to me pretty much makes ANY show of theirs EPIC!
i'm not a sitting down snob. and for some sing alongs and such i'll be looking around with a big dumb smile on my face takin in the crowd. and also these shows can be long. the friend i was with got tired so i would sit down with her when she was beat. plus not everyone knows the songs. like when sweet lue came on. the place chilled out. but then evolution was next. everyone jumped up in the building. except the 3 rows in front of me..it kinda bugged me i'll admit
I think it's cool for everyone to do whatever they want when they're at a show. I wasn't at any of the Philly shows, but it sounds like a lot of the complaining about the "unenthusiastic concertgoers" was due to the fact that some of the people who preferred to sit were bitching at the people in front of them who chose to stand. No way am I sitting down at a PJ show just because someone behind me would prefer to sit.....it's just not happening. I've never faced this issue and hope that I don't have to deal with it anytime soon.
I'm not sure "non-screaming"="unenthusiastic". I LOVE this band and its music and love when the crowd sings loudly and screams appreciation. That being said, I'm older now and am not one of the loudest at these events, although I do sing when I can. I've been to shows in Boston (pretty loud crowds) and Seattle (not so loud) and enjoyed both but.......the problem is the band needs to feed off the crowd. That's why I can't say I don't care about how the crowd is. If everyone acted like me, the show wouldn't be nearly as good because it would be quiet and the band would HATE it. So please, all you younger folks, RAISE THE FUCKING ROOF.
Boston II 94 Boston II 06 Mansfield I 08 Mansfield II 08 Seattle I 09 Seattle II 09
Hartford 10 Boston 10 Wrigley 13 Worcester I 13 Worcester II 13 Hartford 13
NYC I 16 NYC II 16 Fenway I 16 Fenway II 16 Fenway 1 18 Fenway II 18
E.V. Boston II 08 E.V. Albany II 09 E.V. Providence 11, E.V. Boston 11
Troubled Souls Unite
Comments
I guess what I'm trying to say is if you're fortunate enough to get to the show early, talk with the people around you about the band and see what is the biggest reason/song they are there for. Most people will say "It's f**king Pearl Jam, man!" But, just because someone doesn't go crazy for every song, it doesn't mean they are a bad fan. That woman who was there was still dedicated to "Ten" after 15 years of its release as of 2006. I'll never forget Grand Rapids because of that conversation we had before the show. So if people from the band or their staff read this, please play "Black" in Grand Rapids for this tour if you play there! You have a fan who deserves it!
04/13/2003 - Tampa, FL; 10/08/2004 - Kissimmee, FL; 05/16 & 17/2006 - Chicago, IL;
05/19/2006 - Grand Rapids, MI; 05/22/2006 - Auburn Hills, MI; 08/05/2007 - Chicago, IL;
05/03/2010 - Kansas City, MO; 07/19/2013 - Chicago, IL; 04/13/16 - Jacksonville, FL;
I didn't go and went to the Palace the next night and found out about the people in my number range getting front row seats. I could have kicked myself.
Amen brutha!! (or sista!) ;-)
I've felt this way for a long time as well. I rarely come on here anymore because it seems like going to shows and what shows you've attended has become a "competition". It's all about this show being EPIC....that show is EPIC...woohoo they broke out RIVAL!! (when was Rival really that rare of a gem anyway?) etc, etc, etc.
When you consider that they play a different set list each night that to me pretty much makes ANY show of theirs EPIC!
RM
Hartford 10 Boston 10 Wrigley 13 Worcester I 13 Worcester II 13 Hartford 13
NYC I 16 NYC II 16 Fenway I 16 Fenway II 16 Fenway 1 18 Fenway II 18
E.V. Boston II 08 E.V. Albany II 09 E.V. Providence 11, E.V. Boston 11
Troubled Souls Unite