First Pearl Jam live experiences.

cajunkiwi

Auckland '95 on the Vitalogy tour was my first time. The crowd was pushing hard on the barricades, and the stage manager kept coming out asking everyone to move back. He was ignored. Ed then came out on his own and asked everyone to move back, or else the band wouldn't play. Everyone moved back. Ed then played a solo "Throw Your Arms Around Me" before the rest of the band came out and they placed "Oceans." The show wasn't great by PJ standards - Ed had almost died the day before while surfing with Neil and Tim Finn of Crowded House, and he seemed a beat off from the rest of the band (forgot the lyrics to "Rats" at one point and they had to stop so Stone could remind him). They closed in style though - brought Neil and Tim out onto the stage and they played two Split Enz songs - "History Never Repeats" and "I Got You" and the crowd went nuts. They also played a song that was essentially two chords and a lot of screaming... sixth time they had ever played it... a year later it showed up on No Code as "Lukin."

Note: "Not great by PJ standards" means just that - I thought it was an awesome concert until I saw them again 3 years later on the Yield tour, when Ed wasn't a day removed from a near-death experience (he brought the lifeguards who saved his life on stage to thank them, and sang Yellow Ledbetter for them while wearing the lifejacket they presented him with)... the 98 show made the 95 show look terrible in comparison. They're just an unnaturally good live band - you're in for a treat. I haven't had a chance to see them live since 98, but I've heard from people on this board that they're sounding as good as ever. Jazz Fest can't come soon enough for me...

pandora

my first was Lakewood 98 in Atlanta
I just looked at the setlist to spark my memories
we had reserved seats toward the back before the grass area. It was an awesome show but I had this half naked guy next to me jumping around singing real loud- every word- a little distracting- and sort of rude but doobage was going around so that helped with that made it funny at least.
Then there was the
"Yeastie Boyz Rap" Eddie has such a sense of humor huh? a little rap for Atlanta gotta love him!

smarchee

RD171825 wrote:

August 22 1998 at Molson Park in Barrie.... a day I will never forget.

ditto

smarchee

llove wrote:

My first and only show was Molson Amphitheater Toronto 8/21/09 and the opener was Of the Girl. I had the time of my life! I listen to the boot often. Excited to go to my second show in New Orleans. Wonder what they will open with there?

what a day

slightlystoned

My first time was Bonnaroo and I could not have asked for a better experience. After waiting so patiently, I was rewarded beyond my wildest expectations. Best birthday present in the world!

Drum Machine89

I first saw them in Paris 2006, Great show as most shows are!

Interstellar overdrive/Corduroy, gotta love that!

veddertown

Drum Machine89 wrote:

I first saw them in Paris 2006, Great show as most shows are!

Interstellar overdrive/Corduroy, gotta love that!

Yup, I do love that combination especially Tampa 00 and Reading 06. I was listening to Auckland 09 tonight and lots of people thought Daughter was a poor choice for opener but I love it. Made me remember Sydney night 3 06 when they came on and Ed went into Betterman and we didn't hear him sing until the whoa-oh-ohh bit. Awesome boot

Drum Machine89

veddertown wrote:

Drum Machine89 wrote:

I first saw them in Paris 2006, Great show as most shows are!

Interstellar overdrive/Corduroy, gotta love that!

Yup, I do love that combination especially Tampa 00 and Reading 06. I was listening to Auckland 09 tonight and lots of people thought Daughter was a poor choice for opener but I love it. Made me remember Sydney night 3 06 when they came on and Ed went into Betterman and we didn't hear him sing until the whoa-oh-ohh bit. Awesome boot

I agree dude!

Ar you ever in Glasgow man, shud meet up?

veddertown

Drum Machine89 wrote:

veddertown wrote:

Drum Machine89 wrote:

I first saw them in Paris 2006, Great show as most shows are!

Interstellar overdrive/Corduroy, gotta love that!

Yup, I do love that combination especially Tampa 00 and Reading 06. I was listening to Auckland 09 tonight and lots of people thought Daughter was a poor choice for opener but I love it. Made me remember Sydney night 3 06 when they came on and Ed went into Betterman and we didn't hear him sing until the whoa-oh-ohh bit. Awesome boot

I agree dude!

Ar you ever in Glasgow man, shud meet up?

Not been for a couple of months but visit family in East Kilbride regular'ish. No worries, PM will precede next visit time allowing. Might be for a PJ gig eh!!!!!

Drum Machine89

Yup, I do love that combination especially Tampa 00 and Reading 06. I was listening to Auckland 09 tonight and lots of people thought Daughter was a poor choice for opener but I love it. Made me remember Sydney night 3 06 when they came on and Ed went into Betterman and we didn't hear him sing until the whoa-oh-ohh bit. Awesome boot [/quote]

I agree dude!

Ar you ever in Glasgow man, shud meet up?[/quote]

Not been for a couple of months but visit family in East Kilbride regular'ish. No worries, PM will precede next visit time allowing. Might be for a PJ gig eh!!!!! [/quote]

Sounds good man. i atually live in newton mearns so im only 10 mins away from East kilbride!

Gibson

smarchee wrote:

RD171825 wrote:

August 22 1998 at Molson Park in Barrie.... a day I will never forget.

ditto

+1. My full written testimony would be too long to read.

bigeye21

4/3/94 Atlanta, GA

I couldn't make the 92 Atlanta Lollapalooza dates and had been jonesing for years to finally see these guys live. Unbelievably, I scored tickets to this show. Not only did it live up to my lofty expectations -- but it blew them out of the stratosphere! I was transfixed from the start -- lights down, the first notes of Release washing over me, back of the stage slowly lit like a rising sun revealing the guys' silhouettes against the backdrop -- I could hardly breathe. It was 3-4 songs into the set before I could finally surrender to the moment and allow myself to even sing along. It was nothing short of a religious experience. This bootleg gets a ton of hype -- and rightfully so, it's amazing. But as good as the audio is, the live experience was exponentially better. Totally worth the wait.

eeriepadave

8/28/98 in Camden. Went by myself and had lawn seats. Still kick ass show! Good openers also in mudhoney and Iggy Pop. Looking back at the set list it was definitely a good time. I had worn my Austin 3:16 t-shirt and got some compliments about it

Satans Red Mosquito

My first experience was Bonnaroo, I sat through B.B. King which I wanted to see, and then Jack Johnson, surrounded by 16 year old girls ::gags:: and then there they were. I was front row of the gated part past the pit. I wanted to get in the pit when I showed up for B.B. King and I saw the line, and I thought damn it, they have a loyal fan base. I told everybody, I had a religious experience that night. I remember looking back at all the people when Eddie mentioned it during one of the encore breaks. All of my friends got stoned out of their mind before the show, but I wanted to stay sober, because I knew it would be something great, and I wasn't let down in any way.

candleofthought

I got to see Mother Love Bone in 1990 at a little all ages club in Tacoma calle The Legends Club. Shortly there after Andy died. A couple of years later I go to the record store and buy Ten because its Jeff and Stone's new band not thinking too much about it until my best friend calls me up and tells me he bought os tickets to see Jeff and Stones new band. I listened to my new cassette of Ten to get aquanted with the songs and on 1-17-92 we take the ferry from Bremerton to see Jeff and Stone's new band Pearl Jam. We end up at the Moore Theater see that they are filming the show and sit through Gruntruck. Pearl jam comes out and plays Release,
and tears down the house with Even Flow. A few songs later the play Alive that was getting played a bunch on Seattle radio and then after Jeremy they play Porch. I know most of you have seen the video for Even Flow well this was the night that they filmed the video and I got to be there. The big climb was during Porch and I have never been in a crowd that just stopped moving to just watch a band. Edddie had this crowd in the palm of his hand and when he finally dropped off the side balcony the place went nuts! They closed out the set with Baba O Riely but, I will never forget that night. I was going to see Jeff and Stone and fell in love with Pearl Jam. My buddies and I wandered around after the show and ran into Layne and Mike Starr from AIC that night and got to meet and share a "smoke" with Dave A. who was the nicest guy! He signed a flyer for the 10 Club that said its dues were $2.00 a year!! It was an amazing night and it hooked me on this band. This last tour I got to see my 30th show but, none have come close to that night.

The Juggler

8/28/98

Riverrunner

The Rock wrote:

My first show was the Astoria on April 20th, 2006. Great show, but wasn't my favourite. It took me a while for it to sink in that the band were right in front of me. I couldn't snap out of the surreal feeling, and I don't think I was prepared in terms of stamina. By the last few songs I was just nackered and needed to sit down. However, nothing will replicate that initial feeling when the band took the stage and tore into Worldwide Suicide.

My first show was Memphis 2000. I felt the same way. It was surreal. I don't even remember at the moment the opening song, but I distinctly remember Can't Help Falling in Love and the "Elvis" jacket that Ed had on, as well as Wishlist and In My Tree. I just couldn't absorb it all at the time. One of my favorite shows was the 2nd show in Nashville 2003. I was more prepared for that one.

veddertown

candleofthought wrote:

I got to see Mother Love Bone in 1990 at a little all ages club in Tacoma calle The Legends Club. Shortly there after Andy died. A couple of years later I go to the record store and buy Ten because its Jeff and Stone's new band not thinking too much about it until my best friend calls me up and tells me he bought os tickets to see Jeff and Stones new band. I listened to my new cassette of Ten to get aquanted with the songs and on 1-17-92 we take the ferry from Bremerton to see Jeff and Stone's new band Pearl Jam. We end up at the Moore Theater see that they are filming the show and sit through Gruntruck. Pearl jam comes out and plays Release,
and tears down the house with Even Flow. A few songs later the play Alive that was getting played a bunch on Seattle radio and then after Jeremy they play Porch. I know most of you have seen the video for Even Flow well this was the night that they filmed the video and I got to be there. The big climb was during Porch and I have never been in a crowd that just stopped moving to just watch a band. Edddie had this crowd in the palm of his hand and when he finally dropped off the side balcony the place went nuts! They closed out the set with Baba O Riely but, I will never forget that night. I was going to see Jeff and Stone and fell in love with Pearl Jam. My buddies and I wandered around after the show and ran into Layne and Mike Starr from AIC that night and got to meet and share a "smoke" with Dave A. who was the nicest guy! He signed a flyer for the 10 Club that said its dues were $2.00 a year!! It was an amazing night and it hooked me on this band. This last tour I got to see my 30th show but, none have come close to that night.

I love this story Cheers

jodi

veddertown wrote:

candleofthought wrote:

I got to see Mother Love Bone in 1990 at a little all ages club in Tacoma calle The Legends Club. Shortly there after Andy died. A couple of years later I go to the record store and buy Ten because its Jeff and Stone's new band not thinking too much about it until my best friend calls me up and tells me he bought os tickets to see Jeff and Stones new band. I listened to my new cassette of Ten to get aquanted with the songs and on 1-17-92 we take the ferry from Bremerton to see Jeff and Stone's new band Pearl Jam. We end up at the Moore Theater see that they are filming the show and sit through Gruntruck. Pearl jam comes out and plays Release,
and tears down the house with Even Flow. A few songs later the play Alive that was getting played a bunch on Seattle radio and then after Jeremy they play Porch. I know most of you have seen the video for Even Flow well this was the night that they filmed the video and I got to be there. The big climb was during Porch and I have never been in a crowd that just stopped moving to just watch a band. Edddie had this crowd in the palm of his hand and when he finally dropped off the side balcony the place went nuts! They closed out the set with Baba O Riely but, I will never forget that night. I was going to see Jeff and Stone and fell in love with Pearl Jam. My buddies and I wandered around after the show and ran into Layne and Mike Starr from AIC that night and got to meet and share a "smoke" with Dave A. who was the nicest guy! He signed a flyer for the 10 Club that said its dues were $2.00 a year!! It was an amazing night and it hooked me on this band. This last tour I got to see my 30th show but, none have come close to that night.

I love this story Cheers

Second that!

jodi

Evensteven wrote:

The infamous Atlanta 1994 show at the Fox Theater. I was 16. I wish I had a clue what I was witnessing that night. Every show since has been compared to that expierence. Here's what has come the closest:

Nashville 2003, St. Louis 2004, EV solo Atlanta night 1, and Philly 2009 nights 3 & 4.

Got a two-box cd from that show. My first Pearl Jam records! Amazing show!