MAN was it worth waiting this long for PJ to come back to KC!!! They totally rocked the Sprint Center tonight.....
and then as I was waiting for my ride, Mc Fadden's was rebroadcasting the show over the outdoor speakers.. it was great. My poor friend got lost as fuck and it took us like a half hour to find each other!! But I got a sweet hoody, and a shirt for my sister. AND except for F.O.N. they played everything I wanted to hear.. AND I got to hear Of a Girl live for the first time, they opened with it.. great way to start the show. This was great because being homeless in most senses of the word, this really bouyed my spirits, and the people I cleaned their house.. gave me 100.00 to spend at the show, so this was the first show in like twelve years where I've been able to buy somethign from a SHOW!! IT WAS TERRIBLY AWESOME. As always the KC synergy was at 100%!!! And the band.. well they were at 125%!!!! it was sooooo awesome!!!!
Has anyone mentioned Thomas Young joining Ed on stage for No War? For me, that was the THIS is why I flew in from Seattle (along with just loving the band, shows, and a super opener I hadn't heard before)
A mind full of questions, and a teacher in my soul
And so it goes...
*for better or worse, this is what i can remember.
What a beautiful day outside! The weather was absolutely perfect. Ed mentioned this several times early in the show saying he and the band had "enjoyed the city" and that Ed caught a Royals game at Kaufman Stadium the night before calling it "one of the best night's of my life."
Band of Horses took the stage first and singer Ben Bridwell looked little bewildered saying it was the "largest crowed they'd ever played for" and said several times how gracious he was that Pearl Jam was taking them on tour. The band didn't waste any time and started playing several new songs from their forthcoming LP "Infinite Arms." Given the mellow nature of my early "Infinite Arms" LP preview, these new songs come across a bit more forceful live. Before I could digest the new songs BOH ripped into a string of songs off of their debut LP. The entire band looked dialed in with Ben giving a huge "whoooooooo" in between songs acknowledging the size of the crowd. The band looked quite happy to be playing, exchanging smiles and jamming out in small circle on stage before the end of the their set.
I felt like I'd seen a full 2 hour show when BOH finished and was slack jawed thinking that Pearl Jam still had to play! The floor crowded up quickly. Holy shit they had us packed in there like sardines. This was something less than airline economy seating! Ha! Lucky for my wife Ali and I, we had short people in front of us and some friendly fans sitting on either side of us. Just as people were filing in the piano intro started up and the crowd began standing up. The lights went dim and in moments that familiar kick drum intro to "Of The Girl" began. Ed's voice had a crisp vibrato to it, and the band sounded very well rehearsed. Mike's solo during "Of The Girl" had a bit of an extended quality to it, not like normal versions and Ed did some improv vocalization towards the end which gave chills. As the band faded out they quickly jumped into "Animal." The crowd went nuts! That entire floor section seemed to be pogo-ing up and down in time during the first minute. Stone immediately began bobbing his mop around and looked like he was having a blast playing that main riff!
Ed sure played a lot of guitar tonight. His tech was busy setting up his guitars in between songs so any fan worth their weight knew it had to be a handful of songs. However for those lucky enough to see up on stage it became clear which song was coming when Ed grabbed his e-bow to start the intro to WWS! They played that song with so much energy it was as if they just released the song yesterday! 3 songs in and Mike is already running around the damn stage (big surprise right?!). The frantic pace continued without any chatter onto "Got Some." Matt had a huge smile on his face playing this song. His chops were rock solid and they rocked the shit out of this one. Its amazing how this song has evolved live since its debut on Late Night with Conan last year.
Ed addressed the crowd saying how it'd been too long since they'd played in K.C. and like I said earlier mentioned how beautiful the day was, how great the city looked. Keeping his guitar on they played through Unthought Known and told the crowd to "get their voices warmed up" playing Elderly Woman. He quipped he didn't need to warm up because he was "a professional." Ha! MFC was a complete surprise and the band looked pretty comfortable dusting off a 12 year old song! Johnny Guitar had a faster beat to it which was surprising! Gave it punk rock feel. Amongst the Waves was dedicated to Matt's long time drum tech who according to Ed takes care of Matt's "right hand....his left...and I think his right foot?" Ed had the tech stand up and show his wedding ring and told him 'here's to the honeymoon never ending.' Amongst the Waves had more improv vocalizations by Ed which again sets apart the band live unlike any IMO.
EvenFlow was intro'd as a "mixed metaphor" and during the song Jeff, Stone locked in near Matt while Mike set the left side of the stage on fire like usually does during the song. Ed had a bottle of wine and came around and shared it with someone in the front row who looked like they might have also had beer in their cup (nice combo, yuck!). The song was so long and Ed had disappeared on the side of the stage sitting down drinking down his bottle of wine. When he reappeared it was like he'd been gone for an hour (sorry, I am just tired of hearing E-Flo is all). After E-Flo Ed introduced the band and intro'd the next song as one that Jeff had written words and music for and had come to Ed and told him the name of the song was "God's Balls." Ha! Ed said that he wasn't sure about it so the band began thinking of "other round objects that hang from stiff objects" and went off a bit saying "what if god was a woman" but that they came up with God's Key's, God's Eyeballs and then they came back to other objects that dangle and that's where God's Dice came in. Ed flubbed the lyrics on this one and knew it. He did this a few times tonight and when so he'd hack this huge snot ball. Kinda gross. Maybe he felt disgusted with himself? Ha!
Next up was Present Tense with Ed and his white Strat and Mike with his Gibson Flying V. I never get tired of hearing this song. I like how the rest of the band one by one joined them on stage and just ripped a hole in the sound universe with this song! With 3 guitars going at once it had this real aggressive sound to it. Ed's clearly gotten better with his guitar playing over the years. Wishlist was a pleasant surprise but seemed to end rather abruptly without the part where Ed uses his e-bow at the very end. Again this show had Ed playing on a shitload of songs. This continued with Insignificance. The band all huddled together jamming out at the end of this one and I was thinking the main set was over at that point, but then they jumped into DTE and I think the crowd's heads all exploded! The "let's sing in the choir" bit all the house lights were turned on and it was nuts seeing that many people with their hands up singing "hallelujah." Ok, a little creepy actually. Sorry, ha! Ali pointed out during DTE that Stone was looking rather pissed off! I think he looked really into it during the main set until....
First encore. Stools brought out and Ed's got his acoustic. I'm thinking Just Breathe, but nope. Off He Goes. Not sure that I've seen Ed play his acoustic on this one or not. The entire band is sat down playing and right away Stone stands up and goes over to his Vox amp and his leaning over his guitar like he's trying to give himself the heimlich or something! He remained standing the entire song with Mike and Jeff staring at him most of the song. Looked like tech troubles. Afterward the song Stone had a lengthy talk with his tech. Oops!
Just Breathe was next and Stone finally sat down. A beautiful song to hear live that's for sure. No recruited string section (not a surprise), but Matt's harmonies were right on. Man that guy is a hurricane of talent!
Given to Fly was dedicated to some Kansas City Royals baseball player named Willie Miles? Sorry I am not up to snuff on my Royals history (Cardinals fan). The Fixer was dedicated to the crowd and Porch was INSANE. The jamming on this one was intense and had our floor section all pogo-ing in sync once again! Ed acknowledged this a few times with a nod and a look of disbelief a few times in the show. Pretty fun jumping up and down with fellow fans.
The second encore began with a talk about Tomas Young, who came out on stage. He had a giant beard and appeared to be in good health. Ed talked about how he couldn't believe he'd still be talking about the war in 2010 and that the government had 'failed Tomas.' He said Tomas helped write a few lines of No More, which got a rousing participation from the crowd overall. Ed had some improved lines in this one and at the end he and the band all gave Tomas a hug. Very sweet moment. This lead to a bittersweet rendition of Black with Ed singing the "we belong" extended bit at the end. Next up was a funny moment wishing their long time tour manager a happy birthday. A giant cake was brought out, but the fans kept blowing out the candles and suddenly Boom Gaspar leaps down from his B3 perch with a lighter. Imagine a couple techs handling this giant cake with Stone on stage frantically motioning them to hurry up while Boom is freaking out trying to re-light all these blowed out candles! Ha!! Anyway, the cake comes out, we all sing happy birthday with Ed doing a punk "1234 1234 in between lines because Smitty is a "punk rock motherfucker" per Ed. The cake gets smashed in Smitty's face and the band launches into Alive with Ed taking the cake and throwing out chunks into the crowd! He ends up with his fist of blue icing which he then proceeds to smash all over his face. His singing Alive with a shit ton of blue icing on one side of his face! Ha! Getting it all wiped off the crowd had their fists pumping "yeah, yeah, yeah" during Mike's face melting solo. Ed comes out pretty close our section and is fist pumping with the crowd. By this time Stone seems over his little tantrum and is smiling rocking out with Jeff. RITFW was pounding and before it seems they have finished, Ed says "one more?" With the crowd freaking out. He takes a moment to introduce the "main guy in the back" from the U.S. gold winning bobsled team. The guy comes out, shows off his gold medal and then puts it on Ed. Ed says "get this guy a bass" and they all play Yellow Ledbetter with Jeff on a goldtop Gibson. Stone jumps on Matt's drum riser and rocks the shit out of his acoustic, Mike ends the show with Star Spangled Banner. Ed thanks the crowd and says St.Louis will have their work cut out for them! He tells the crowd "let's do it again next year!." Earlier in the show he mentioned something about the band not coming back through the midwest again for some time, maybe ever again (Ali says she heard this too, but we can't quite remember). So not sure if it's next year or never again.....anyways, what a great show! Lots of energy! The band just seemed to rattle off one after the other like a machine gun jukebox of sorts. Looking foward to St.Louis! Man my neck, shoulders, legs are all sore! Woooooot!!
I thought the crowd was GREAT!!! honestly, I have to admit I had my doubt's before the show but the KC fans were awesome. this was my 25 show and my first one sober and it was everything I wanted it to be! 169xxx got me 12th row stone's side I had a blast, cant wait for tomorrow!!!
Congrats on enjoying your first sober show! Sounds like an awesome show, great set list!
Fingers crossed for you to win the lottery in St. Louis!
Yeah, Ed said they're not coming back through the Midwest again. But then he said we'll be back soon. After that he said we'll do it again next year. Who knows.
7/27/1992: Lollapalooza, St. Louis; 7/11/1995: Soldier Field, Chicago
7/2/1998: Riverport, St. Louis; 7/3/1998: Sandstone, KC; 10/9/2000: Rosemont Horizon, Chicago; 10/12/2000 Sandstone, KC; 6/12/2003: Sanstone, KC; 6/13/2003 MAC Center, Omaha
I won the lottery!!! FRONT ROW! couldn't believe it. Or wished for anything better. My friend caught a big wad of cake that Ed threw to her then she was just holding it and he looked at her smiled, and threw her the towel that he had wiped his face with. Best souviner! Oh yeah, I finally got to drink his wine.
I'm So Jealous!!!
Likewise!...I've always wanted ED's *Sweat with cake on it*...hahaha... :P
awesome amazing show last night. loved it. loved it all except for the kid in row 7 seat 3 or 4 that was like 6' 5" with the biggest mop hair-do on his head that I have ever seen. Dude, you are already 6' 5" and blocking peoples views. but you have to go and poof your hair out that its sticking out 10 inches the whole radius of you head. it was like the white mans imitation of the afro. people please cut your hair before you to the show
Good show and had a great time...Decided to go after the presale and got tickets from Ticketmaster. 100 level, back of the arena. So quite a ways from the stage. And they didn't have a big screen up. We couldn't see shit. It was my cousin's first show and we were very disappointed to say the least. Don't they almost always have a big screen for those poor fools in the back?
Good show and had a great time...Decided to go after the presale and got tickets from Ticketmaster. 100 level, back of the arena. So quite a ways from the stage. And they didn't have a big screen up. We couldn't see shit. It was my cousin's first show and we were very disappointed to say the least. Don't they almost always have a big screen for those poor fools in the back?
Seen some cool videos so far but does anyone have/has anyone found a video of the whole cake thing ?
Sounded like such an amazing show- glad everyone enjoyed!
"Sometimes you find yourself having to put all your faith in no faith."
~not a dude~
2010: MSGx2
2012: Made In America
2013: Pittsburgh, Brooklynx2, Hartford, Baltimore
2014: Leeds, Milton Keynes, Detroit
2015: Global Citizen Festival
2016: Phillyx2, MSGx2, Fenwayx2 2018: Barcelona, Wrigleyx2
What a show, what a night.
Picked up my tickets from willcall, telling my friend about the fan club seating plan, "I've sat in the absolute last row on the top and danced my ass off and it was the best show ever, wherever we sit will be fun." Our tickets say row 1, I get all tingly. We are both realists, (we say), it could mean anything... We head down, the escort grabs our stubs, "are you guys ready?" and we start walking, and walking.
Dear god the absolute best night of my life! I got to see Mike play all night right in front of me what a friggin genius. Jeff was amazing, Eddie, what do you say, Eddie, what a soul...
I just got my final orders on the way down to the show from Omaha, for Afghanistan, in exactly two weeks. A concert experience to shelter me for the next year. Thanks guys.
I love Pearl Jam!
What a show, what a night.
Picked up my tickets from willcall, telling my friend about the fan club seating plan, "I've sat in the absolute last row on the top and danced my ass off and it was the best show ever, wherever we sit will be fun." Our tickets say row 1, my whole body gets tingly. We are both realists, (we say), this could mean anything... We head down, the escort grabs our stubs, "are you guys ready?" and we start walking, and walking.
Dear god the absolute best night of my life! I got to see Mike play all night right in front of me what a friggin genius. Jeff was amazing, Eddie, what do you say, Eddie, what a soul...sometimes I think the songs have saved my life.
I just got my final orders on the way down to the show from Omaha, for Afghanistan, in exactly two weeks. The guys did all they could to brand a memory in my brain that will shelter me for the next year. Thanks guys.
I love Pearl Jam!
Glad you have the memory of the show to take with you as you head to the Middle East. I hope sincerely that you stay safe and return home soon.
I just got my final orders on the way down to the show from Omaha, for Afghanistan, in exactly two weeks. The guys did all they could to brand a memory in my brain that will shelter me for the next year. Thanks guys.
I love Pearl Jam!
Good luck in Afghanistan. Thanks for your service!
2003: Madison Square Garden 1
2006: East Rutherford 1, East Rutherford 2
2008: Madison Square Garden 2
2010: Newark
2013: Brooklyn 2 GA
What a show, what a night.
Picked up my tickets from willcall, telling my friend about the fan club seating plan, "I've sat in the absolute last row on the top and danced my ass off and it was the best show ever, wherever we sit will be fun." Our tickets say row 1, my whole body gets tingly. We are both realists, (we say), this could mean anything... We head down, the escort grabs our stubs, "are you guys ready?" and we start walking, and walking.
Dear god the absolute best night of my life! I got to see Mike play all night right in front of me what a friggin genius. Jeff was amazing, Eddie, what do you say, Eddie, what a soul...sometimes I think the songs have saved my life.
I just got my final orders on the way down to the show from Omaha, for Afghanistan, in exactly two weeks. The guys did all they could to brand a memory in my brain that will shelter me for the next year. Thanks guys.
I love Pearl Jam!
The sun will continue to shine on you. Thanks for your service.
seems like on touringfans.net that everyone is getting floor seats. Did any fan club members get side seating?
Barrie 98, Toronto 00, Toronto 03, Buffalo 03, Toronto 05, Hamilton 05, Kitchener 05, Toronto 06 I II, Lolla 07, Vedder Toronto I II, Toronto 09, Philly Oct 30 & 31 2009, Buffalo 2010, Cleveland 2010, Toronto I II 2011, Hamilton 2011, Ottawa 2011, London 2013, Buffalo 2013, Pittsburgh 2013, FLL 2016, Miami 2016, Tor I & II 2016, Barcelona 2018, Toronto 2022, Ottawa 2022, Quebec City 2022, Hamilton 2022
K.C. MO May 3rd 2010 was my fourth Pearl Jam show and I believe it to be the first time I've seen the band at the beginning of their (leg) so to speak and wow.........What a huge difference it makes! Not to take anything away from my previous experiences but you can definitely see a difference in the bands energy. I felt that this show was by far the lively-est I've ever seen the band and probably the sharpest Ed's voice has ever sounded. The band was full of energy and I clearly credit it to the band just starting this (leg) of the tour, I'm sure the bands seven year absence from the show me state had a bit to do with it as well but got damn the show was off the hook.
Review | Pearl Jam
By TIMOTHY FINN
The Kansas City Star
4 May 2010
The Kansas City Star
As it commemorates its 20th anniversary with a tour that celebrates those decades of music, it's time to put Pearl Jam into perspective.
Granted, it is at least partially responsible for inspiring and spawning a parade of post-grunge and "modern-rock" acts like Creed and Nickelback. But in 2010, Pearl Jam is nothing more or less than a relentless, unpretentious and formidable rock band with a sound and presentation that are timeless and true.
On Monday night, Eddie Vedder and his band dropped into the Sprint Center for Pearl Jam's first show in Kansas City since June 2003. The long wait contributed to the vibe in the room: Those who weren't seeing the band for the first time ever were seeing it for the first time in a long while, and they all responded accordingly.
They were treated to a 28-song set list and to a show that lasted two and a half hours, minus a couple of brief breaks. In September, Pearl Jam released "Backspacer," its ninth studio album. They would play five of its songs Monday night; the rest of the setlist featured tracks from seven other albums -- all but "Riot Act." Old or recent, nearly every song received a big, warm welcome. On several, like "Even Flow," "Better Man," "Black" "Alive" and the rip-roaring "Given To Fly" the crowd let loose a cheer during the guitar intro, and then sang from the first lyric to the last. Even "Just Breathe," a ballad from "Backspacer," prompted a loud sing-along.
Vedder was in a playful mood most of the night. He introduced "Even Flow" as a song called "Mixed Metaphor," tossed tambourines into the crowd during the cover of "Rockin' In The Free World" and lugged around a bottle of wine for a while. He also retreated offstage a few times for a cigarette break.
After the short intermission, he came out in a Royals jersey -- No. 6 -- and then gave a shout-out to his good friend, Willie Wilson, who was present.
After he led the crowd in a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for the band's tour manager, Mark Smith, he pushed the cake into Smith's face as he blew out the candles. He returned fire, and Vedder spent most of the rest of the show with clumps of cake in his beard. There were some more solemn moments.
Before "Off He Goes," Vedder asked the crowd to get involved in the death-penalty case of Damien Echols of the "West Memphis Three" case. And before "No More," he introduced Tomas Young, a Kansas City native and Iraqi war veteran who was the subject of the Phil Donahue documentary, "Body of War."
Otherwise, the rest of this night was about the music. The men behind Vedder stirred up a mighty storm several times, but particularly during the infernal ending to "Better Man," the heavy-metal eruption during "Alive" and the volcanic versions of "Do The Evolution" and "Rockin' In The Free World." For a band at the beginning of a tour after a long layoff, they sounded tight and furious all night.
The stage setting was spartan: No video screens, no light displays, no baubles or glitz. Just two backdrops, including a primitive "PJ" in a circle. The upper-deck in the back of the arena was curtained-off, the floor was full and the rest of the place looked like it was about 85 percent full -- at or near 10,000, I'd guess.
Things got a little unhinged at the end of the show. Before the final song, Vedder introduced another guest, Curtis Tomasevicz, a member of the gold-medal U.S. Olympic bobsledding team. (He liked to crank up the Pearl Jam before each race.)
Tomasevicz strapped on a bass guitar and joined the band on "Yellow Ledbetter," then stood back and listened as guitarist Mike McCready played a haywire rendition of the Jimi Hendrix version of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
It got a little ragged and went on a bit too long and, of course, ended with the crowd yelling "Chiefs." Otherwise, this was a joyous, spontaneous and invigorating celebration between a rock band that seemed genuinely happy and grateful to be on the road again and fans who are just as happy that it is still around and its music is still alive.
Band of Horses: Their blend of rock and country went over well with a late-arriving crowd that was itching to see the headliner. The new songs, like "Northwest Apartment," fit right in with the older stuff, like "The Great Salt Lake," "The General Specific" and "No One's Gonna Love You."
Pearl Jam set list
Of The Girl; Animal; World Wide Suicide; Got Some; Unthought Known; Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town; MFC; Johnny Guitar; Amongst The Waves; Even Flow; God's Dice; Present Tense; Daughter; Wishlist; Insignificance; Do The Evolution. Break. Off He Goes; Just Breathe; Given To Fly; The Fixer; Life Wasted; Porch. Encore: No More; Black; Better Man; Alive; Rockin' In The Free World; Yellow Ledbetter; Star Spangled Banner.
Band of Horses set list
Marry Song; The Great Salt Lake; Ghost In My House; Northwest Apartment; General Specific; Compliments; No One's Gonna Love You; Ode To Lrc; Funeral.
| Timothy Finn , The Star
Up here so high I start to shake, Up here so high the sky I scrape, I've no fear but for falling down, So look out below I am falling now, Falling down,...not staying down, Could’ve held me up, rather tear me down, Drown in the river
Yeah, Ed said they're not coming back through the Midwest again. But then he said we'll be back soon. After that he said we'll do it again next year. Who knows.
no, he said they're likely not coming back through the u.s. (not midwest) again this year.
ed says "see you next year" a lot. can't put too much thought into that one.
Comments
As far as the pick goes, in my eyes, yes, but I can't speak for the cake
those floor chairs sucked ass. way too small.
Any new merch this tour or same as last year?
2008: MSG I, MSG II, Newark(EV)
2009: Albany 1-2(EV), Philly 3
2010: Boston, MSG I
2013: Buffalo, Brooklyn II, Hartford
2016: MSG 1, MSG II, Fenway 1
and then as I was waiting for my ride, Mc Fadden's was rebroadcasting the show over the outdoor speakers.. it was great. My poor friend got lost as fuck and it took us like a half hour to find each other!! But I got a sweet hoody, and a shirt for my sister. AND except for F.O.N. they played everything I wanted to hear.. AND I got to hear Of a Girl live for the first time, they opened with it.. great way to start the show. This was great because being homeless in most senses of the word, this really bouyed my spirits, and the people I cleaned their house.. gave me 100.00 to spend at the show, so this was the first show in like twelve years where I've been able to buy somethign from a SHOW!! IT WAS TERRIBLY AWESOME. As always the KC synergy was at 100%!!! And the band.. well they were at 125%!!!! it was sooooo awesome!!!!
I laughed so fucking hard when he threw the cake to everyone, sucks to get cake in the face, but it when rocks when it's Eddie Vedder throwing it.
its not such a bad deal...the girl that got hit in hawaii got to go side stage the rest of the show
And so it goes...
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/04/19 ... l-jam.html
SHOW COUNT: (149) 1990's=3, 2000's=53, 2010/20's=89, US=109, CAN=15, Europe=19 ,New Zealand=2, Australia=2
Mexico=1, Colombia=1
Upcoming: Sacramento, Vegas x2, Manchester, London, Chicago x2, NYC x2, Fenway x2, Ohana x2 Aucklandx2, Gold Coast, Melbournex2
What a beautiful day outside! The weather was absolutely perfect. Ed mentioned this several times early in the show saying he and the band had "enjoyed the city" and that Ed caught a Royals game at Kaufman Stadium the night before calling it "one of the best night's of my life."
Band of Horses took the stage first and singer Ben Bridwell looked little bewildered saying it was the "largest crowed they'd ever played for" and said several times how gracious he was that Pearl Jam was taking them on tour. The band didn't waste any time and started playing several new songs from their forthcoming LP "Infinite Arms." Given the mellow nature of my early "Infinite Arms" LP preview, these new songs come across a bit more forceful live. Before I could digest the new songs BOH ripped into a string of songs off of their debut LP. The entire band looked dialed in with Ben giving a huge "whoooooooo" in between songs acknowledging the size of the crowd. The band looked quite happy to be playing, exchanging smiles and jamming out in small circle on stage before the end of the their set.
I felt like I'd seen a full 2 hour show when BOH finished and was slack jawed thinking that Pearl Jam still had to play! The floor crowded up quickly. Holy shit they had us packed in there like sardines. This was something less than airline economy seating! Ha! Lucky for my wife Ali and I, we had short people in front of us and some friendly fans sitting on either side of us. Just as people were filing in the piano intro started up and the crowd began standing up. The lights went dim and in moments that familiar kick drum intro to "Of The Girl" began. Ed's voice had a crisp vibrato to it, and the band sounded very well rehearsed. Mike's solo during "Of The Girl" had a bit of an extended quality to it, not like normal versions and Ed did some improv vocalization towards the end which gave chills. As the band faded out they quickly jumped into "Animal." The crowd went nuts! That entire floor section seemed to be pogo-ing up and down in time during the first minute. Stone immediately began bobbing his mop around and looked like he was having a blast playing that main riff!
Ed sure played a lot of guitar tonight. His tech was busy setting up his guitars in between songs so any fan worth their weight knew it had to be a handful of songs. However for those lucky enough to see up on stage it became clear which song was coming when Ed grabbed his e-bow to start the intro to WWS! They played that song with so much energy it was as if they just released the song yesterday! 3 songs in and Mike is already running around the damn stage (big surprise right?!). The frantic pace continued without any chatter onto "Got Some." Matt had a huge smile on his face playing this song. His chops were rock solid and they rocked the shit out of this one. Its amazing how this song has evolved live since its debut on Late Night with Conan last year.
Ed addressed the crowd saying how it'd been too long since they'd played in K.C. and like I said earlier mentioned how beautiful the day was, how great the city looked. Keeping his guitar on they played through Unthought Known and told the crowd to "get their voices warmed up" playing Elderly Woman. He quipped he didn't need to warm up because he was "a professional." Ha! MFC was a complete surprise and the band looked pretty comfortable dusting off a 12 year old song! Johnny Guitar had a faster beat to it which was surprising! Gave it punk rock feel. Amongst the Waves was dedicated to Matt's long time drum tech who according to Ed takes care of Matt's "right hand....his left...and I think his right foot?" Ed had the tech stand up and show his wedding ring and told him 'here's to the honeymoon never ending.' Amongst the Waves had more improv vocalizations by Ed which again sets apart the band live unlike any IMO.
EvenFlow was intro'd as a "mixed metaphor" and during the song Jeff, Stone locked in near Matt while Mike set the left side of the stage on fire like usually does during the song. Ed had a bottle of wine and came around and shared it with someone in the front row who looked like they might have also had beer in their cup (nice combo, yuck!). The song was so long and Ed had disappeared on the side of the stage sitting down drinking down his bottle of wine. When he reappeared it was like he'd been gone for an hour (sorry, I am just tired of hearing E-Flo is all). After E-Flo Ed introduced the band and intro'd the next song as one that Jeff had written words and music for and had come to Ed and told him the name of the song was "God's Balls." Ha! Ed said that he wasn't sure about it so the band began thinking of "other round objects that hang from stiff objects" and went off a bit saying "what if god was a woman" but that they came up with God's Key's, God's Eyeballs and then they came back to other objects that dangle and that's where God's Dice came in. Ed flubbed the lyrics on this one and knew it. He did this a few times tonight and when so he'd hack this huge snot ball. Kinda gross. Maybe he felt disgusted with himself? Ha!
Next up was Present Tense with Ed and his white Strat and Mike with his Gibson Flying V. I never get tired of hearing this song. I like how the rest of the band one by one joined them on stage and just ripped a hole in the sound universe with this song! With 3 guitars going at once it had this real aggressive sound to it. Ed's clearly gotten better with his guitar playing over the years. Wishlist was a pleasant surprise but seemed to end rather abruptly without the part where Ed uses his e-bow at the very end. Again this show had Ed playing on a shitload of songs. This continued with Insignificance. The band all huddled together jamming out at the end of this one and I was thinking the main set was over at that point, but then they jumped into DTE and I think the crowd's heads all exploded! The "let's sing in the choir" bit all the house lights were turned on and it was nuts seeing that many people with their hands up singing "hallelujah." Ok, a little creepy actually. Sorry, ha! Ali pointed out during DTE that Stone was looking rather pissed off! I think he looked really into it during the main set until....
First encore. Stools brought out and Ed's got his acoustic. I'm thinking Just Breathe, but nope. Off He Goes. Not sure that I've seen Ed play his acoustic on this one or not. The entire band is sat down playing and right away Stone stands up and goes over to his Vox amp and his leaning over his guitar like he's trying to give himself the heimlich or something! He remained standing the entire song with Mike and Jeff staring at him most of the song. Looked like tech troubles. Afterward the song Stone had a lengthy talk with his tech. Oops!
Just Breathe was next and Stone finally sat down. A beautiful song to hear live that's for sure. No recruited string section (not a surprise), but Matt's harmonies were right on. Man that guy is a hurricane of talent!
Given to Fly was dedicated to some Kansas City Royals baseball player named Willie Miles? Sorry I am not up to snuff on my Royals history (Cardinals fan). The Fixer was dedicated to the crowd and Porch was INSANE. The jamming on this one was intense and had our floor section all pogo-ing in sync once again! Ed acknowledged this a few times with a nod and a look of disbelief a few times in the show. Pretty fun jumping up and down with fellow fans.
The second encore began with a talk about Tomas Young, who came out on stage. He had a giant beard and appeared to be in good health. Ed talked about how he couldn't believe he'd still be talking about the war in 2010 and that the government had 'failed Tomas.' He said Tomas helped write a few lines of No More, which got a rousing participation from the crowd overall. Ed had some improved lines in this one and at the end he and the band all gave Tomas a hug. Very sweet moment. This lead to a bittersweet rendition of Black with Ed singing the "we belong" extended bit at the end. Next up was a funny moment wishing their long time tour manager a happy birthday. A giant cake was brought out, but the fans kept blowing out the candles and suddenly Boom Gaspar leaps down from his B3 perch with a lighter. Imagine a couple techs handling this giant cake with Stone on stage frantically motioning them to hurry up while Boom is freaking out trying to re-light all these blowed out candles! Ha!! Anyway, the cake comes out, we all sing happy birthday with Ed doing a punk "1234 1234 in between lines because Smitty is a "punk rock motherfucker" per Ed. The cake gets smashed in Smitty's face and the band launches into Alive with Ed taking the cake and throwing out chunks into the crowd! He ends up with his fist of blue icing which he then proceeds to smash all over his face. His singing Alive with a shit ton of blue icing on one side of his face! Ha! Getting it all wiped off the crowd had their fists pumping "yeah, yeah, yeah" during Mike's face melting solo. Ed comes out pretty close our section and is fist pumping with the crowd. By this time Stone seems over his little tantrum and is smiling rocking out with Jeff. RITFW was pounding and before it seems they have finished, Ed says "one more?" With the crowd freaking out. He takes a moment to introduce the "main guy in the back" from the U.S. gold winning bobsled team. The guy comes out, shows off his gold medal and then puts it on Ed. Ed says "get this guy a bass" and they all play Yellow Ledbetter with Jeff on a goldtop Gibson. Stone jumps on Matt's drum riser and rocks the shit out of his acoustic, Mike ends the show with Star Spangled Banner. Ed thanks the crowd and says St.Louis will have their work cut out for them! He tells the crowd "let's do it again next year!." Earlier in the show he mentioned something about the band not coming back through the midwest again for some time, maybe ever again (Ali says she heard this too, but we can't quite remember). So not sure if it's next year or never again.....anyways, what a great show! Lots of energy! The band just seemed to rattle off one after the other like a machine gun jukebox of sorts. Looking foward to St.Louis! Man my neck, shoulders, legs are all sore! Woooooot!!
Congrats on enjoying your first sober show! Sounds like an awesome show, great set list!
Fingers crossed for you to win the lottery in St. Louis!
7/2/1998: Riverport, St. Louis; 7/3/1998: Sandstone, KC; 10/9/2000: Rosemont Horizon, Chicago; 10/12/2000 Sandstone, KC; 6/12/2003: Sanstone, KC; 6/13/2003 MAC Center, Omaha
Likewise!...I've always wanted ED's *Sweat with cake on it*...hahaha... :P
Unfortunately, no.
8/08 - Ed solo in DC, 6/09 Ed in B'more,
10/10 - Brad in B'more
Sounded like such an amazing show- glad everyone enjoyed!
~not a dude~
2010: MSGx2
2012: Made In America
2013: Pittsburgh, Brooklynx2, Hartford, Baltimore
2014: Leeds, Milton Keynes, Detroit
2015: Global Citizen Festival
2016: Phillyx2, MSGx2, Fenwayx2
2018: Barcelona, Wrigleyx2
Picked up my tickets from willcall, telling my friend about the fan club seating plan, "I've sat in the absolute last row on the top and danced my ass off and it was the best show ever, wherever we sit will be fun." Our tickets say row 1, I get all tingly. We are both realists, (we say), it could mean anything... We head down, the escort grabs our stubs, "are you guys ready?"
Dear god the absolute best night of my life! I got to see Mike play all night right in front of me what a friggin genius. Jeff was amazing, Eddie, what do you say, Eddie, what a soul...
I just got my final orders on the way down to the show from Omaha, for Afghanistan, in exactly two weeks. A concert experience to shelter me for the next year. Thanks guys.
I love Pearl Jam!
06/18/08: Columbia
08/23/09 & 08/24/2009: Chicago
05/06/2010: Columus
05/07/2010: Indy
05/20/2010 & 05/21/2010: NYC
Glad you have the memory of the show to take with you as you head to the Middle East. I hope sincerely that you stay safe and return home soon.
Good luck in Afghanistan. Thanks for your service!
2006: East Rutherford 1, East Rutherford 2
2008: Madison Square Garden 2
2010: Newark
2013: Brooklyn 2 GA
Yes, I saw a video of the KC show on Youtube. They're still using Philip Glass' Metamorphasis 2.
2006: East Rutherford 1, East Rutherford 2
2008: Madison Square Garden 2
2010: Newark
2013: Brooklyn 2 GA
The sun will continue to shine on you. Thanks for your service.
By TIMOTHY FINN
The Kansas City Star
4 May 2010
The Kansas City Star
As it commemorates its 20th anniversary with a tour that celebrates those decades of music, it's time to put Pearl Jam into perspective.
Granted, it is at least partially responsible for inspiring and spawning a parade of post-grunge and "modern-rock" acts like Creed and Nickelback. But in 2010, Pearl Jam is nothing more or less than a relentless, unpretentious and formidable rock band with a sound and presentation that are timeless and true.
On Monday night, Eddie Vedder and his band dropped into the Sprint Center for Pearl Jam's first show in Kansas City since June 2003. The long wait contributed to the vibe in the room: Those who weren't seeing the band for the first time ever were seeing it for the first time in a long while, and they all responded accordingly.
They were treated to a 28-song set list and to a show that lasted two and a half hours, minus a couple of brief breaks. In September, Pearl Jam released "Backspacer," its ninth studio album. They would play five of its songs Monday night; the rest of the setlist featured tracks from seven other albums -- all but "Riot Act." Old or recent, nearly every song received a big, warm welcome. On several, like "Even Flow," "Better Man," "Black" "Alive" and the rip-roaring "Given To Fly" the crowd let loose a cheer during the guitar intro, and then sang from the first lyric to the last. Even "Just Breathe," a ballad from "Backspacer," prompted a loud sing-along.
Vedder was in a playful mood most of the night. He introduced "Even Flow" as a song called "Mixed Metaphor," tossed tambourines into the crowd during the cover of "Rockin' In The Free World" and lugged around a bottle of wine for a while. He also retreated offstage a few times for a cigarette break.
After the short intermission, he came out in a Royals jersey -- No. 6 -- and then gave a shout-out to his good friend, Willie Wilson, who was present.
After he led the crowd in a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for the band's tour manager, Mark Smith, he pushed the cake into Smith's face as he blew out the candles. He returned fire, and Vedder spent most of the rest of the show with clumps of cake in his beard. There were some more solemn moments.
Before "Off He Goes," Vedder asked the crowd to get involved in the death-penalty case of Damien Echols of the "West Memphis Three" case. And before "No More," he introduced Tomas Young, a Kansas City native and Iraqi war veteran who was the subject of the Phil Donahue documentary, "Body of War."
Otherwise, the rest of this night was about the music. The men behind Vedder stirred up a mighty storm several times, but particularly during the infernal ending to "Better Man," the heavy-metal eruption during "Alive" and the volcanic versions of "Do The Evolution" and "Rockin' In The Free World." For a band at the beginning of a tour after a long layoff, they sounded tight and furious all night.
The stage setting was spartan: No video screens, no light displays, no baubles or glitz. Just two backdrops, including a primitive "PJ" in a circle. The upper-deck in the back of the arena was curtained-off, the floor was full and the rest of the place looked like it was about 85 percent full -- at or near 10,000, I'd guess.
Things got a little unhinged at the end of the show. Before the final song, Vedder introduced another guest, Curtis Tomasevicz, a member of the gold-medal U.S. Olympic bobsledding team. (He liked to crank up the Pearl Jam before each race.)
Tomasevicz strapped on a bass guitar and joined the band on "Yellow Ledbetter," then stood back and listened as guitarist Mike McCready played a haywire rendition of the Jimi Hendrix version of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
It got a little ragged and went on a bit too long and, of course, ended with the crowd yelling "Chiefs." Otherwise, this was a joyous, spontaneous and invigorating celebration between a rock band that seemed genuinely happy and grateful to be on the road again and fans who are just as happy that it is still around and its music is still alive.
Band of Horses: Their blend of rock and country went over well with a late-arriving crowd that was itching to see the headliner. The new songs, like "Northwest Apartment," fit right in with the older stuff, like "The Great Salt Lake," "The General Specific" and "No One's Gonna Love You."
Pearl Jam set list
Of The Girl; Animal; World Wide Suicide; Got Some; Unthought Known; Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town; MFC; Johnny Guitar; Amongst The Waves; Even Flow; God's Dice; Present Tense; Daughter; Wishlist; Insignificance; Do The Evolution. Break. Off He Goes; Just Breathe; Given To Fly; The Fixer; Life Wasted; Porch. Encore: No More; Black; Better Man; Alive; Rockin' In The Free World; Yellow Ledbetter; Star Spangled Banner.
Band of Horses set list
Marry Song; The Great Salt Lake; Ghost In My House; Northwest Apartment; General Specific; Compliments; No One's Gonna Love You; Ode To Lrc; Funeral.
| Timothy Finn , The Star
no, he said they're likely not coming back through the u.s. (not midwest) again this year.
ed says "see you next year" a lot. can't put too much thought into that one.
Question: Did the KC poster (which is BADASS) sellout? How early should i go in to get one?
Thanks.