Iam not crying,.. but it took a couple of days to calm down! And now I wish I had a time machine so I could go back. It was such a fantastic experience,(first p.j show) I just hope they come back soon.
Hey Zezito! Were you on Mike's side in Christchurch up against the inside of the middle barrier near the front? Brazilian flag draped over the side and wearing the same shirt you have in the pic?
Yeah mate, that was me! Have any pictures?
I don't! Shit camera. Just wanted to say I was going to say hello to you in the 10C line outside as I recognised you from your profile pic here in the forum. I live in Cronulla as well and thought it was pretty cool there were a few people from Cronulla lining up in Christchurch. I wasn't sure it was you though. Great vids! Awesome work.
Nice one mate! I thought I was the only one from Cronulla there! You might spot me with a Christchurch or Adelaide shirt at the mall someday!
"...take care of a couple of requests...one is from last night...I don't know if you are here again tonight...this first one...I'm not gonna tell you!"
EV Adelaide 22-11-2006 ... yep I was there ... THANKS!
Pearl Jam came to my home town on November 27 2009.
I live in Nelson NZ now, but Christchurch is where I grew up, with garage bands and cover bands wanting to be the next U2, or at least pay the rent…
I had seen PJ play 3 time before, twice in Auckland, 1995, and once in Wellington 1998. This time they came to my home town.
I was apprehensive about a trip to my home town, would the people turn up, would they get what the show is about - energy, Music, passion, rather than glitz or glam???? And what about the weather – in November?
The show, well what a show. I took my partner of 14 years, she liked the music, not sure on being a fan. After the show – a fan!!! She got what I got, the raw energy of making sound real… 5, no 6, guys on a stage delivering a tight purposeful set, a journey, a wishlist.
In 1995 it was intense, aggressive, determined, fucking mind-blowing for a 23 year old.
2009 was as intense I knew what the music meant to me 10 fold. The concert had the intensity that, instead of angst, grew into a joyous explosion of sound/energy/desire. It was awesome.
Now, I’m not so m uch used to writing a review, do I do a song by song analysis or give you the feel, see where we go I suppose.
Liam Fin was a mix of Animal from Sesame Street, Ed, and Split Enz – I figure it’s a mix of genes and learned behavior. A great show and I’ll be seeing him anytime he comes near.
Cinamon Girl with Ed was masterful, the energy, Ed lifts the game for all he goes on stage with, that’s not to take anything away from Liam or E-J, just the game gets lifted, and what a well delivered and great song.
Ben, saw him last in 2004 Chch, a great rocking/awesome show with the Innocent Criminal’s. This time a paired back group and set. I really enjoyed the set, I wasn’t expecting the same old Ben, and with the relentless 7 got a whole heap of guitar, bass, and drums. I love the music of Ben and the work that goes into it. Look forward to seeing him in whatever concoction in the future.
Pearl Jam, let me premise with - this is on par with the intense, personal experience I had in 1995. But I screwed up. We had 10c tickets,, we arrived early, decision time, do we take in front of mike, stone or back to the safety of the second tier. We risked it in going front where there were less 10c members – big mistake. The crush of the crowd got my partner out within 4 songs, I went there with her so I was going to stick with her so I got out as well.
After seeing some of the footage, sitting a few rows bask would have been the shit, but man I just had the prevalence of mind to see the whites of the bands eye’s, a few rows back would have got away from the crush and still delivered.
The first few songs were awesome Given to Fly, Animal, Once, with the driven intensity anyone could desire from a PJ concert. I did the sshhhuuup in GTF, jumped and jammed to got some, and counted to animal. Once was a bit of a blur as I was looking for partner, lost in the mosh. A bit of a crazy crowd unsettled by a guy that looked disturbingly like clayton weatherston and a fat farmboy in behind. I heard the comment pre Pearl Jam entry that their objective was to “touch the front railing” Dicks, we were all close enough, why push/shove/hassle!!! We were all into jumping and jamming but just shoving is a pain int the ass. My partner wasn’t used to this and had to get out, I followed to share the experience wherever we were.
Anyway I won’t let a couple of fucks distract too much from an awesome progression of music, sound and energy.
What was cool was a couple of 15-16 year old guys behind us, first big gig, by god did they get a gig. I am sure they are rockers now and understand the power of a great show/music/Rock. I think they play so great inspiration…
Unthought known, clearly hadn’t heard it before, the power of the progression was phenomenal, built from guitar to bass, drum and keyboard, Ed’s vocals soared and it all came together. Who knew a Pearl Jam Song with the lyrics “Gems and Rhinestones” would make so much sense and would be delivered with such power and purpose. That’s a statement not a question. I am a convert to this song.
Then, Tremor Christ(church), I was having my 1995 experience with my partner, phenomenal. Ed bailed on a few lyrics, but made up during the concert and the crowd saw through any cracks and pushed the whole scene higher with the band.
Elderly Woman – everyone sung “Hello”.
In my tree – OMG another I can’t believe moment. A tune I have had full volume in ther house and installed in my mp3 player for years. I was there, newspapers mattered not to me (certainly not murdochs).
World wide Suicide – didn’t expect this at all, this was the avocado’s “Got Some” in my view, and lifted the intensity and energy again.
Marker in the sand – Ed apologised for this after the fact – why??? The live performance drew this song together for me, the band played, the delivery was constant and built, and for a fan - very proud.
Then, boom, Evenflow, the crowd knew this song and lifted again.
Force of Nature, A song I picked up early on the new album and have enjoyed, the tune, lyrics and music merges to produce hope that love and desire can mean something , a live joy in my minds eye anyway.
I Got Shit, this is a tune I had in our car for the pre concert prep, one of the ‘how cool would it to be to hear this one’ tracks. And there it was…. I got memories I got shit, a song I remember from the early early bootlegs we got down this way. And 1995. So much of my angst, “I’m got questions who the fuck do I ask… I’ll just slide on and wait for the dream that I’m not ugly and you’re looking at me….. “ paraphrased a little but you know what I mean.
Life Wasted, boom, again we are driven to the pogo and fist the sky, and underneath hoping we aren’t doing just that…
Garden, Where did this come from, I turned to my mate Justin said, not that he could hear, “what the hell” Bring it on, “Hands bound”, “ face blood” we were there, fuck war and the gardens of stone…
Then DTE, I have the bootlegs, the dvd;s I had my used marines shirt and the syncopated leap all ready. If this stadium had a floor I am sure it would have bounced more than ‘The Garden’.
Double trouble, “Go” I wasn’t going to go out on the band, not now, fuck, suck, blood, touch,. please, tunnel vision”, but really it’s all the music man….
By this time we had connected with a group of friends of friends, one asking “I want what he’s on”. At this point no drugs or alcohol had been consumed, just a feast of musical experience and ecstasy. For an over 35 I took it as a complement.
In the whole first set the pace did not stop, a few tunes with a slower pace and less known allowed the general crowd to catch a breath and see the breadth and depth of the band. For those that knew all the tunes, it was a feast. And I knew we were only part way through. The mix of old, new and in between was fantastic, the energy delivered by the band never wavered.
Break
Ed comes on with guitar, it’s going to be “Just breathe”, hang on end of tour it’s “The End”, at this point I was assured this is something special. What a track, the sweat, mist, rain and focus created a personal moment for a personal song delivered in a stadium.
The Band re-enters with Ben Harper to do “Red Mosquito” I have a vivid sight of Mike seeming to say “what the fuck” or something to that effect, don’t crucify me I may be wrong, and then mike goes over to Ben and they jam, knee guitar to guitar, it seemed a great moment of guitar minds doing it in front of us.
The, wait, Ben sticks around, Indifference. I picked up the Vs Album (in Cassette form) in Dec 1993, on my way from Auckland to San Francisco. I never took it out of my tape playing walkman, I just kept flipping it from country to country, and this was a song that drove the introspection, the intimacy, the personification of the life, love, and being, - of where I was. The tune with Ben felt heartfelt, committed and dear I say Fun. It was group of musos playing a song that meant something to me and them. Cool.
The Fixed. Last song – of the set, it got everyone jumping again and reminding us there was a rock concert underway.
Break.
Was this to be a 3 song encore, surely not, we’d had so much fun, it cannot stop.
But who guessed Jeremy/betteman/real me/ better be home soon/I got u/ Alive/ 8 minute Rocking in the free world/ and then yellow ledbetter.
8 track second encore.
Jeremy blew the roof. Everyone seemed to know it and the drive and the push of the lyric. Was this song a pivotal moment in people’s appreciation of music meaning more than a hook?
Betterman – Ed took a break and let the crowd sing the first couple of versus, I am keen to hear the bootleg, given it’s an outside concert I am keen to hear the crowd pick up. It sounded awesome, and after hearing the gorge do the same I hope we did Ed and the Band proud.
Real Me, I was expecting many not to know the song, but to the cry Doctor and the Real Me the crowd seemed to sign with it. Again Cool Driven Rock.
How much more could I expect from a concert? I knew Liam would surely play a tune, and I’d seen Neil Finn in the wings early on, as well as kindly resetting Liam’s drum mic during Liam’s earlier set, so surely they’d get together. And so they did, for an unexpected “Better be home soon”. I was in Auckland in 1995 (both concerts) when Neil and Tim Finn came out and did History and I Got U. The mike got thrown into the crowd under the big top as we, the crowd, delivered! These were our songs and PJ and NZ were doing it together. “Better Be Home Soon” is another kiwiana track and the crowd were there again, then song done they must be ready to wind down. Then, no, Neil and Liam are sticking around. Hang on Neil hits a chord. I got U. The crowd picks up from BBHS and takes it to another level, maybe the age of a few of us? Again I cannot wait for the bootleg to hear how we responded. In a stadium that may not hold the acoustics I am just not sure how it will come off but being there it was special.
Phew what next – we’re all still going, we’re all still alive…. Can the crowd want more. The arms went up, Alive – yeah – yeah - yeah…
RITFW – the band start, the rest of the tour group – Liam, EJ, Relentless-7, Ben, they’re all on stage. We are the free world, no hypocrisy, heresy, or insincerity required. NZ is a small, simply based country but we have a working welfare state, state run health care system, police agency, education system etc. and we have an effective proportional representative government (MMP –look it up!) I think we are what Neil would want, as long as the Tory’s (nee Republicans) don’t do too much damage while they’re in!!!! So we partied. The lights were up by this time and then Mike hit “yellowledbetter”
The night was coming to an end. YLB worked its magic. I worried that the crowd clapping made mike draw his solo to a premature finale with a single note, that was the last note of the tour, and reading the tour notes it was a high end tour. The band and entourage seemed to be having a ball, delivering a great show, the music, crowd, fans, intensity and joy all mixed and was great.
I wonder how hey can do that again? Personally I hope they do the Westpac trust centre for 2/3 nights. 10-12 thousand capacity. But it’s indoors, it can be intense and they can enjoy the South Island a bit not having to worry about a big set up or the weather. Hell just come down for some fun, you don’t need a tour to be a prerequisite for a crowd. Come on down and
A measure of how the show delivered - My partner since 1995 liked Pearl Jam, thought I was a bit obsessive with the music. She didn’t go to the Wellington Concert in 1998, I was taking her to Chch… After the concert and since she has said she is a fan and isn’t asking me to turn PJ down. After the live experience you understand the intensity and intimacy of the music. It’s not about a member, or a cult it’s about the music, the collective, and the level that is delivered live. You cannot replicate it, it either is or is not and PJ is.
I had a discussion with a mate at a bar in Nelson, the free house, an indoor outdoor pub with small brewery beers, great place for a chat, anyway, talked about faith versus institutionalized religion. I am an on the fence fella, turned off by the hatred, mistrust, and arrogance of institutionalized religions. My mate, a CATHOLOIC, was comfortable that his faith/religion fitted him. We talked about catholicism in his view, believing that all peoples were inherently good and that catholics had the best parties. I disagreed with the inherently good part - in particular the crusades, the Spanish inquisition, gender superiority, and homophobia. Anyway I have wondered the purpose of faith and spiritual experience. I have now seen Pearl Jam 4 times from 1995 til now, and not wanting to be contrite or belittling to ‘faith’, the closest I have felt to ‘good’ ‘true’ ‘honest’ ‘energy’ has been at rock concerts, and Pearl Jam takes the lead. On Sunday night it felt like uncomplicated energy/passion/fun. Good intentioned and not harming anyone. Enjoy ourselves in uplifting, fulfilling, intense sound and meaning (self determined). Cool
Nice, Dave.. we were just behind you, had a few exchanges with Clayton myself. He was an asshole. We stayed up front till elderly woman, I decided that I needed to breathe, went out back ,and found our mates. Your words are beautifully true. Im glad your partner is now a fan. See you at the next one.
First time post, long time PJ fan and I have to say what a great show and it would have to be the best of the three shows I have seen them play to date.
Ed you are the man, you seem to hold the crowd in the palm of your hand and never let them go, but the whole band is really a class act live. It was a great show, the venue I thought was brilliant and standing two rows behind the fan club section my view could not have been any better.
Like many who have posted, there were many highlights including Mike's solo during Alive in the rain, Ed playing the End, not one of my favourite songs off Backspacer but it soon became one after his solo effort Wow!!, the Finns up stage towards the end, RITFW with tambourines flying everywhere and a great setlist.
I also had the pleasure of taking my 16 year old son to his first concert and man he couldn't have picked a better one to go to. He will be a PJ fan for live now after this show.
Really enjoyed Liam Finn (so much so went out and purchased his two cds, his energy was amazing). I enjoyed Ben Harper who is so cruisy on stage but would have like to hear more of his older stuff. Can't wait until to the next time PJ tour this way again, or maybe its time I ventured further abroad as I can't get enough of them playing live?
Listening to the boot... Is it just me or did Mike play Marker a tone flat or something? What ever it was Jeff and Stone did a bloody good job sticking it through!
I really don’t get it. After seeing Pearl Jam at Rod Laver a few years ago, I couldn’t wait for them to finally come to New Zealand, but especially Christchurch was just one huge disappointment. For all I know they probably played extremely well, and the setlist was obviously great - but the sound was so shit I left after an hour, feeling heartbroken. Everything was just one big wash, and at times the echo off the back of the stadium was so bad that the songs were pretty much unrecognisable. I really don’t get why nobody has mentioned this so far. At previous PJ concerts I have felt nothing but exhilaration and happiness. Last night I felt nothing. Walking out on Pearl Jam was something that I never thought I would do, and I left the stadium with tears in my eyes. But when you’re faced with a choice of hearing your favourite songs being butchered by a shitty sound system, and preserving your memory of what a proper Pearl Jam show is like, walking away was the only reasonable thing I could do.
Im sorry you had this experience but i can tell you the sound was just fine. Im also saying this as a professional musician. You needed to be face on to the stage though. There will always be slap back from a stand facing the stage. Ive been to many MANY pj concerts and last night was up there as quite possibly the best. Did you try moving positions to see if you could get better sound? Walking out should have been a last resort.[/ Hey there, I appreciate what you're saying, I veered into the between Sound-desk and back stadium area when looking for my partner, and bounce did distort the sound, We found the sound in front of the tent superb. You'll have to catch a better spot next time and get the experience, please do. cheers.]
Hey there, I appreciate what you're saying, I veered into the between Sound-desk and back stadium area when looking for my partner, and bounce did distort the sound, We found the sound in front of the tent superb. You'll have to catch a better spot next time and get the experience, please do. cheers
Absolutely fucking beautiful. Wish i didn't miss the ten club tickets... but WHATEVER, i was in the same place at the same time as PEARL JAM!! I still can't believe it. Jesus did i cry when Ed thanked the crowd. I can't fucking wait for my bootleg to arrive... more tears for sure
Cheers guys. One of the best shows I've ever been to and I've seen The Ramones in London, The Rolling Stones at Wembley Stadium and Iggy Pop pulling out a "greatest hits" set and this one matched all of them. The bootleg is brilliant and I'll give it to my sister in law who was in the mosh pit for Christmas.
Unfortunately I missed the Christchurch and Perth shows on the Australia/NZ tour but was lucky enough to catch the other shows,
BUT WOW the Christchurch boot is amazing!
Lucky buggers! Wishing I was there.
1995 - Auckland, New Zealand
1998 - Wellington + Auckland, New Zealand
2000 - London, UK x 2
2006 - Melbourne, Australia x 3
2009 - Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland
2010 - Newark, MSG x 2
2011 - PJ20 & EV Brisbane 2, Canberra, Melbourne x 2, Adelaide 1, Perth 2
2013 - San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland, Vancouver, Seattle
2014 - Auckland, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney & EV - Sydney x 2
2015 - Mexico City
2016 - Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Greenville, Hampton, Fenway x 2 2023 - Fort Worth x 2, Austin x 2 2024 - Indy, Wrigley Field x 2, Auckland x 2, Gold Coast, Melbourne x 2 & Sydney x 2
Comments
OMG that footage is good.....u must have a good vid camera....
Did u go to any of the AUS shows??
Thnks for posting link..:)
Nice one mate! I thought I was the only one from Cronulla there! You might spot me with a Christchurch or Adelaide shirt at the mall someday!
EV Adelaide 22-11-2006 ... yep I was there ... THANKS!
just came up on my playlist and i thought i'd log on here to mention what you just did.
haha. :?
I live in Nelson NZ now, but Christchurch is where I grew up, with garage bands and cover bands wanting to be the next U2, or at least pay the rent…
I had seen PJ play 3 time before, twice in Auckland, 1995, and once in Wellington 1998. This time they came to my home town.
I was apprehensive about a trip to my home town, would the people turn up, would they get what the show is about - energy, Music, passion, rather than glitz or glam???? And what about the weather – in November?
The show, well what a show. I took my partner of 14 years, she liked the music, not sure on being a fan. After the show – a fan!!! She got what I got, the raw energy of making sound real… 5, no 6, guys on a stage delivering a tight purposeful set, a journey, a wishlist.
In 1995 it was intense, aggressive, determined, fucking mind-blowing for a 23 year old.
2009 was as intense I knew what the music meant to me 10 fold. The concert had the intensity that, instead of angst, grew into a joyous explosion of sound/energy/desire. It was awesome.
Now, I’m not so m uch used to writing a review, do I do a song by song analysis or give you the feel, see where we go I suppose.
Liam Fin was a mix of Animal from Sesame Street, Ed, and Split Enz – I figure it’s a mix of genes and learned behavior. A great show and I’ll be seeing him anytime he comes near.
Cinamon Girl with Ed was masterful, the energy, Ed lifts the game for all he goes on stage with, that’s not to take anything away from Liam or E-J, just the game gets lifted, and what a well delivered and great song.
Ben, saw him last in 2004 Chch, a great rocking/awesome show with the Innocent Criminal’s. This time a paired back group and set. I really enjoyed the set, I wasn’t expecting the same old Ben, and with the relentless 7 got a whole heap of guitar, bass, and drums. I love the music of Ben and the work that goes into it. Look forward to seeing him in whatever concoction in the future.
Pearl Jam, let me premise with - this is on par with the intense, personal experience I had in 1995. But I screwed up. We had 10c tickets,, we arrived early, decision time, do we take in front of mike, stone or back to the safety of the second tier. We risked it in going front where there were less 10c members – big mistake. The crush of the crowd got my partner out within 4 songs, I went there with her so I was going to stick with her so I got out as well.
After seeing some of the footage, sitting a few rows bask would have been the shit, but man I just had the prevalence of mind to see the whites of the bands eye’s, a few rows back would have got away from the crush and still delivered.
The first few songs were awesome Given to Fly, Animal, Once, with the driven intensity anyone could desire from a PJ concert. I did the sshhhuuup in GTF, jumped and jammed to got some, and counted to animal. Once was a bit of a blur as I was looking for partner, lost in the mosh. A bit of a crazy crowd unsettled by a guy that looked disturbingly like clayton weatherston and a fat farmboy in behind. I heard the comment pre Pearl Jam entry that their objective was to “touch the front railing” Dicks, we were all close enough, why push/shove/hassle!!! We were all into jumping and jamming but just shoving is a pain int the ass. My partner wasn’t used to this and had to get out, I followed to share the experience wherever we were.
Anyway I won’t let a couple of fucks distract too much from an awesome progression of music, sound and energy.
What was cool was a couple of 15-16 year old guys behind us, first big gig, by god did they get a gig. I am sure they are rockers now and understand the power of a great show/music/Rock. I think they play so great inspiration…
Unthought known, clearly hadn’t heard it before, the power of the progression was phenomenal, built from guitar to bass, drum and keyboard, Ed’s vocals soared and it all came together. Who knew a Pearl Jam Song with the lyrics “Gems and Rhinestones” would make so much sense and would be delivered with such power and purpose. That’s a statement not a question. I am a convert to this song.
Then, Tremor Christ(church), I was having my 1995 experience with my partner, phenomenal. Ed bailed on a few lyrics, but made up during the concert and the crowd saw through any cracks and pushed the whole scene higher with the band.
Elderly Woman – everyone sung “Hello”.
In my tree – OMG another I can’t believe moment. A tune I have had full volume in ther house and installed in my mp3 player for years. I was there, newspapers mattered not to me (certainly not murdochs).
World wide Suicide – didn’t expect this at all, this was the avocado’s “Got Some” in my view, and lifted the intensity and energy again.
Marker in the sand – Ed apologised for this after the fact – why??? The live performance drew this song together for me, the band played, the delivery was constant and built, and for a fan - very proud.
Then, boom, Evenflow, the crowd knew this song and lifted again.
Force of Nature, A song I picked up early on the new album and have enjoyed, the tune, lyrics and music merges to produce hope that love and desire can mean something , a live joy in my minds eye anyway.
I Got Shit, this is a tune I had in our car for the pre concert prep, one of the ‘how cool would it to be to hear this one’ tracks. And there it was…. I got memories I got shit, a song I remember from the early early bootlegs we got down this way. And 1995. So much of my angst, “I’m got questions who the fuck do I ask… I’ll just slide on and wait for the dream that I’m not ugly and you’re looking at me….. “ paraphrased a little but you know what I mean.
Life Wasted, boom, again we are driven to the pogo and fist the sky, and underneath hoping we aren’t doing just that…
Garden, Where did this come from, I turned to my mate Justin said, not that he could hear, “what the hell” Bring it on, “Hands bound”, “ face blood” we were there, fuck war and the gardens of stone…
Then DTE, I have the bootlegs, the dvd;s I had my used marines shirt and the syncopated leap all ready. If this stadium had a floor I am sure it would have bounced more than ‘The Garden’.
Double trouble, “Go” I wasn’t going to go out on the band, not now, fuck, suck, blood, touch,. please, tunnel vision”, but really it’s all the music man….
By this time we had connected with a group of friends of friends, one asking “I want what he’s on”. At this point no drugs or alcohol had been consumed, just a feast of musical experience and ecstasy. For an over 35 I took it as a complement.
In the whole first set the pace did not stop, a few tunes with a slower pace and less known allowed the general crowd to catch a breath and see the breadth and depth of the band. For those that knew all the tunes, it was a feast. And I knew we were only part way through. The mix of old, new and in between was fantastic, the energy delivered by the band never wavered.
Break
Ed comes on with guitar, it’s going to be “Just breathe”, hang on end of tour it’s “The End”, at this point I was assured this is something special. What a track, the sweat, mist, rain and focus created a personal moment for a personal song delivered in a stadium.
The Band re-enters with Ben Harper to do “Red Mosquito” I have a vivid sight of Mike seeming to say “what the fuck” or something to that effect, don’t crucify me I may be wrong, and then mike goes over to Ben and they jam, knee guitar to guitar, it seemed a great moment of guitar minds doing it in front of us.
The, wait, Ben sticks around, Indifference. I picked up the Vs Album (in Cassette form) in Dec 1993, on my way from Auckland to San Francisco. I never took it out of my tape playing walkman, I just kept flipping it from country to country, and this was a song that drove the introspection, the intimacy, the personification of the life, love, and being, - of where I was. The tune with Ben felt heartfelt, committed and dear I say Fun. It was group of musos playing a song that meant something to me and them. Cool.
The Fixed. Last song – of the set, it got everyone jumping again and reminding us there was a rock concert underway.
Break.
Was this to be a 3 song encore, surely not, we’d had so much fun, it cannot stop.
But who guessed Jeremy/betteman/real me/ better be home soon/I got u/ Alive/ 8 minute Rocking in the free world/ and then yellow ledbetter.
8 track second encore.
Jeremy blew the roof. Everyone seemed to know it and the drive and the push of the lyric. Was this song a pivotal moment in people’s appreciation of music meaning more than a hook?
Betterman – Ed took a break and let the crowd sing the first couple of versus, I am keen to hear the bootleg, given it’s an outside concert I am keen to hear the crowd pick up. It sounded awesome, and after hearing the gorge do the same I hope we did Ed and the Band proud.
Real Me, I was expecting many not to know the song, but to the cry Doctor and the Real Me the crowd seemed to sign with it. Again Cool Driven Rock.
How much more could I expect from a concert? I knew Liam would surely play a tune, and I’d seen Neil Finn in the wings early on, as well as kindly resetting Liam’s drum mic during Liam’s earlier set, so surely they’d get together. And so they did, for an unexpected “Better be home soon”. I was in Auckland in 1995 (both concerts) when Neil and Tim Finn came out and did History and I Got U. The mike got thrown into the crowd under the big top as we, the crowd, delivered! These were our songs and PJ and NZ were doing it together. “Better Be Home Soon” is another kiwiana track and the crowd were there again, then song done they must be ready to wind down. Then, no, Neil and Liam are sticking around. Hang on Neil hits a chord. I got U. The crowd picks up from BBHS and takes it to another level, maybe the age of a few of us? Again I cannot wait for the bootleg to hear how we responded. In a stadium that may not hold the acoustics I am just not sure how it will come off but being there it was special.
Phew what next – we’re all still going, we’re all still alive…. Can the crowd want more. The arms went up, Alive – yeah – yeah - yeah…
RITFW – the band start, the rest of the tour group – Liam, EJ, Relentless-7, Ben, they’re all on stage. We are the free world, no hypocrisy, heresy, or insincerity required. NZ is a small, simply based country but we have a working welfare state, state run health care system, police agency, education system etc. and we have an effective proportional representative government (MMP –look it up!) I think we are what Neil would want, as long as the Tory’s (nee Republicans) don’t do too much damage while they’re in!!!! So we partied. The lights were up by this time and then Mike hit “yellowledbetter”
The night was coming to an end. YLB worked its magic. I worried that the crowd clapping made mike draw his solo to a premature finale with a single note, that was the last note of the tour, and reading the tour notes it was a high end tour. The band and entourage seemed to be having a ball, delivering a great show, the music, crowd, fans, intensity and joy all mixed and was great.
I wonder how hey can do that again? Personally I hope they do the Westpac trust centre for 2/3 nights. 10-12 thousand capacity. But it’s indoors, it can be intense and they can enjoy the South Island a bit not having to worry about a big set up or the weather. Hell just come down for some fun, you don’t need a tour to be a prerequisite for a crowd. Come on down and
A measure of how the show delivered - My partner since 1995 liked Pearl Jam, thought I was a bit obsessive with the music. She didn’t go to the Wellington Concert in 1998, I was taking her to Chch… After the concert and since she has said she is a fan and isn’t asking me to turn PJ down. After the live experience you understand the intensity and intimacy of the music. It’s not about a member, or a cult it’s about the music, the collective, and the level that is delivered live. You cannot replicate it, it either is or is not and PJ is.
I had a discussion with a mate at a bar in Nelson, the free house, an indoor outdoor pub with small brewery beers, great place for a chat, anyway, talked about faith versus institutionalized religion. I am an on the fence fella, turned off by the hatred, mistrust, and arrogance of institutionalized religions. My mate, a CATHOLOIC, was comfortable that his faith/religion fitted him. We talked about catholicism in his view, believing that all peoples were inherently good and that catholics had the best parties. I disagreed with the inherently good part - in particular the crusades, the Spanish inquisition, gender superiority, and homophobia. Anyway I have wondered the purpose of faith and spiritual experience. I have now seen Pearl Jam 4 times from 1995 til now, and not wanting to be contrite or belittling to ‘faith’, the closest I have felt to ‘good’ ‘true’ ‘honest’ ‘energy’ has been at rock concerts, and Pearl Jam takes the lead. On Sunday night it felt like uncomplicated energy/passion/fun. Good intentioned and not harming anyone. Enjoy ourselves in uplifting, fulfilling, intense sound and meaning (self determined). Cool
Ed you are the man, you seem to hold the crowd in the palm of your hand and never let them go, but the whole band is really a class act live. It was a great show, the venue I thought was brilliant and standing two rows behind the fan club section my view could not have been any better.
Like many who have posted, there were many highlights including Mike's solo during Alive in the rain, Ed playing the End, not one of my favourite songs off Backspacer but it soon became one after his solo effort Wow!!, the Finns up stage towards the end, RITFW with tambourines flying everywhere and a great setlist.
I also had the pleasure of taking my 16 year old son to his first concert and man he couldn't have picked a better one to go to. He will be a PJ fan for live now after this show.
Really enjoyed Liam Finn (so much so went out and purchased his two cds, his energy was amazing). I enjoyed Ben Harper who is so cruisy on stage but would have like to hear more of his older stuff. Can't wait until to the next time PJ tour this way again, or maybe its time I ventured further abroad as I can't get enough of them playing live?
Im sorry you had this experience but i can tell you the sound was just fine. Im also saying this as a professional musician. You needed to be face on to the stage though. There will always be slap back from a stand facing the stage. Ive been to many MANY pj concerts and last night was up there as quite possibly the best. Did you try moving positions to see if you could get better sound? Walking out should have been a last resort.[/ Hey there, I appreciate what you're saying, I veered into the between Sound-desk and back stadium area when looking for my partner, and bounce did distort the sound, We found the sound in front of the tent superb. You'll have to catch a better spot next time and get the experience, please do. cheers.]
BUT WOW the Christchurch boot is amazing!
Lucky buggers!
1998 - Wellington + Auckland, New Zealand
2000 - London, UK x 2
2006 - Melbourne, Australia x 3
2009 - Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland
2010 - Newark, MSG x 2
2011 - PJ20 & EV Brisbane 2, Canberra, Melbourne x 2, Adelaide 1, Perth 2
2013 - San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland, Vancouver, Seattle
2014 - Auckland, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney & EV - Sydney x 2
2015 - Mexico City
2016 - Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Greenville, Hampton, Fenway x 2
2023 - Fort Worth x 2, Austin x 2
2024 - Indy, Wrigley Field x 2, Auckland x 2, Gold Coast, Melbourne x 2 & Sydney x 2