*** London Fanviews Here 6/25/10 ***

redrock

Kev105 wrote:

I was about a 800m away from the front of the stage .....!

You were out on the street :shock:

Cool photo mrk2!

i_luv_pies

Changing the subject slightly ...anyone know if their releasing a boot fo rthis show? Had in a look in other threads but couldnt see anything mentioned?

Thanks

veddertown

Sorry to hear of all the people who had negative experiences. Alcohol and festivals don't work for everyone and sorry to criticize any individual but when I found out Mrs.Veddertown was pregnant I changed my standing tickets for Belfast straight away. In London she stayed back with a friend to allow me a chance to get close. You can try and justify it anyway you want but tickets are exchangable and whether you think you should have a right to stand in peace at a show which you should, it isn't realistic. Hope your partner isn't too shaken up and you realise that your original post only tarred yourself with the selfish brush. Life is bigger than anything and PJ will be back. Show number three for me and all in the space of four days too. This was a great experience for me, sitting with Pke and his lovely family outside Buckingham Palace getting tipsy was a highlight this week and then the show came. Missed almost all the support acts but saw EV/BH doing Under Pressure which filled me with much joy! Given To Fly was a sweet opener and the next half hour flew past too quickly. I'm not going to moan about the fact this setlist was almost an amalgamation of the Irish shows, it was absolutely stunning and Arms Aloft was even better this time. Singalongs were just beautiful and hearing Go, Red Mosquito and another jaw dropping Porch made for a great night. I have such an appreciation for Just Breathe that I didn't previously have before this week. Black and Betterman had those around me in bouncing form. Completely different experience this show being outdoors and by the end Pke and myself were pretty drunk but we were very happy and very sensible surprisingly! I don't know what my favourite moment was but the Brain Damage/Corduroy and Of This Earth are up there with all I've mentioned. Roll on Berlin and the next tour. Pearl Jam and it's crazy legion of fans has changed something for me this week and if you have that same feeling you'll know what I mean. There were moments this week that reminded me of South America 05 and Europe should get a tour every year!! Best wishes to everyone out there we've met this week. Peace.

SOLAT319

I fucking SURVIVED the rail at this gig! No, you don't understand unless you were at the Mike's side of the rail. Stone's side wasn't all that rough.

einatshaul

SOLAT319 wrote:

I fucking SURVIVED the rail at this gig! No, you don't understand unless you were at the Mike's side of the rail. Stone's side wasn't all that rough.

Very impressive! I died 5 times that night... until NFY when my ribs were crackin like pringles and Mike was basically mouthing out "Get OUT!" at me and I decided to take his word and save my life... enjoyed the rest of the show from a safe distance actually dancing and smiling... pheeww!!!

tremors

einatshaul wrote:

SOLAT319 wrote:

I fucking SURVIVED the rail at this gig! No, you don't understand unless you were at the Mike's side of the rail. Stone's side wasn't all that rough.

Very impressive! I died 5 times that night... until NFY when my ribs were crackin like pringles and Mike was basically mouthing out "Get OUT!" at me and I decided to take his word and save my life... enjoyed the rest of the show from a safe distance actually dancing and smiling... pheeww!!!

When Mike mouths 'Get Out', it's time to go!

Karley

Hi there! A few words from me on this gig.

Weather couldn't have been better. This must have been the hottest weekend London ever saw, My girlfriend and me, we arrived thursday at noon and stayed until sunday morning and we are baked. Stuck in a crowd on Oxford Street with the sun coming down at you = not good. Stuck in a crowd in Hyde Park at a Pearl Jam gig = really good. Pretty strange security at the entrance. The guy in front of us had to get those little packages of potatoe crisps out of his bag while we got to keep about two litre of water and two meal deals from Boots (excellent stuff btw). So we arrived shortly after the initial entrance and checked out the Merch. Bought the Deer t-shirt for my girlfriend and the wonderful Poster for myself (anyone else afraid, that they accidentally put that aweful "Hard Rock Calling Weekend" poster in your tube?)

The choice of bands for this day was good. Robert Francis was a bit boring but only played for 20 minutes and some people seem to have liked it. The Gaslight Anthem played like 8 songs and were gone in an instant. Not a very impressive gig but entertaining nonetheless. The Hives on the other hand ARE entertainment. Not a band that I'd buy a record from but to see them on stage was exciting. The moment where they stood still for about 3 minutes drove the crowd crazy (kind of ironic when you think about it) - one of the best moments of this day along with Eddie joining Ben Harper for Under Pressure in his quite entertaining set. I heard someone saying "No one likes this guy"(Ben) but then, after three or four songs, he was dancing like a madman...Good show.

A lot has been said about the crowd at this place...two things about english fans: when they are dedicated, they're the best crowd in the world. The level of singing at this gig was ridiculous. I could barely even hear Eddie during most of the songs. On the other hand you have "fans" who seem to have bought a ticket just to get the opportunity to talk to someone on the phone while standing in a 50.000+ crowd...I didn't get this at all. I was on Stones side, so not a lot of pushing there but still some annoying people but you gotta live with that. The band itself was in fine form. GTF was a nice choice for an opener and the crowd exploded into the chorus. Once, Of The Earth and WWS were nice surprises, so was Not for You and Nothingman. Still many hits with DTE (which got roaring crowd reactions), Even Flow, Better Man, Why Go, Corduroy, Alive and so on. Most of the quiet moments like the Brain Damage tag or Wasted Reprise got lost in the crowd noise as the sound wasn't really loud enough, especially Eds voice and guitar. I think Black is a quite popular song in England but anyway I was surprised they did that - clearly one of the highlights of the set. At this point the crowd was just a singing along, no one pushing at all, no embarassing boobie moments (that's just my opinion ). No one said anything about Go?! I think that (strangely) got the most crowd reaction - crazy version! Red Mosquito was insane, too, with Harper looking like he is just about to fall over right after this song. Amazing gig after all, some strange experiences but it was fun. I'm excited to hear how the atmosphere transfers to the bootleg.

Oh...where was the 2nd stage anyway?

fpinvention

Very good show, 3 days on and my voice is still recovering from all the singing, I went insane! I honestly thought the sound was a bit low, I recalled the earlier bands being the same, thinking they would turn it up a notch for PJ, but they didn't. I'm not sure if I was in a bad sound spot, was pretty central and far up. Highlights for me was Black, Go, unthought Unknown was a new one I wanted them to play, so thank you PJ! Red mosquito was great with Ben, we all know he would appear on stage at some point, I didn't know he would play on that song, tis nice :)Just breath was nice, got all the couples slow dancing in the middle of the crowd! Even Flow and Cordurey was insane as usual. Alive was just amazing, never faulters to be great. Was hoping they would finish off with something other than Yellow Ledbetter, but again, its still great. Can't wait to see them yet again on another mind blowing tour. Come back to england soon PJ!

albop

A very good concert but a bad audience : too much beer and too many people not interested by the bands and the music. I don't think that I will return to this festival.

fpinvention

nuffingman wrote:

Evolution6579 wrote:

Rossum20 wrote:

Anyway, Brain Damage? That is something im definitely jealous of.

That's what I was thinking. 24 posts and no mention of this? Was it the whole song? Was it as awesome as it seems in my head?

Ed strumming and singing the opening lyrics before going into Corduroy. It was nothing to get over excited about.

Almost the same thing he does with interstellar Overdrive by Floyd of course.

fortyshades

icemanap wrote:

The amount of people who pushed passed me (around 30 rows from the front right of stage) who were 'trying to find their friends' only for the same people to come out past me three songs later with tears streaming down their faces said alot. I have been going to gigs for a long time and I can guage the crowd of how they will react before the band even come on. I am sorry people had unpleasent experiences, but there are a lot of idiots out there. Fortunately I can handle myself in concert situations and I am happy to push someone twice my weight away if they want to mosh. But people who are not used to how a crowd works at a rock gig should simply not go where the crowd will be the most violent. I went to see the Gaslight Anthem last year and when someone went down in the crowd, everyone tried quickly to form some sort of guard so they could get up. Granted this gig was in the Kentish Town Forum but I really hope the boys stick to their own bespoke gigs from now on. I love seeing them and seeing them three times in nine months in London is awesome. But I would trade the Hyde Park experience for another Shepherd's Bush or O2 any day of the week. Great show but fingers crossed they play an arena show again soon.

I do want to react to this, for this puts the blame on the wrong side of the stick. I have been to many concerts, had to deal with many crowds, but if you stood on the left hand side near the centre this particular night was very bad. You had to be there to understand. Some of us were fighting for their lives. (And I'm not trying to be negative here, but trying to start a fair debate about this.) When you stood there it doesn't matter if you knew how a crowd works or not; you got squashed. Why does a concert have to be violent anyway?

I agree with Shepherd Bush or 02; I might come back to London to see those. I will never go to London Calling again.

Alsa

pablo5 wrote:

It was. Black especially.

There was a definite theme of Roskilde hanging over Eddie's head though.

Yeah I dont blame him for that especially since the second they started of with Given to fly which was the 1st track, one hell of a moshpit started with it. I must have helped at least 6 to 8 ppl to get out of the crowd, and it just kept getting worst. I reckon it was the setup of field, with that corridor in the middle. On mike's side there were a couple of fights too which sucked. (How on earth can you fight at such a show).

It was one hell of a show and loved every second of it and that experimental song was great, looking forward for the new album already
Red Mosquitoe was amazing with Mike's and Ben's solos, just beautiful and I agree with the ppl that said that Mike was on fire. Oh and Porch and that new intro to it im loving it.
It was just a shame that i missed Even Flow I was getting pulled out of the crowd and on the way out I met Woody Harelson so for a few minutes I didnt hear anything

pdalowsky

There seems to be much comment on the crowds behaviour here, which i fully understand. I was front stone side, and really enjoyed it, it was a little hectic, rammed in, and squashed but then again i fully expect that. Its a general admission rock show, anyone expecting to get their spot and not move really needs a reality check.

Of course there are always the tits that go over the top and ruin the experience for those around them but where we were the security did a wonderful job of sorting those idiots out. They were superb at helping out those struggling and picking out morons for ejection.

Some people baffle me though, I stood in the vacinity of a couple who always go early to grab the rail, stone side, they were ther in dublin and belfast too, and Berlin, manchester london etc last year too. Always in the same spot. They dont seem to enjoy the shows at all. Never move, never sing, never smile, and seem totally preoccupied at having a go at anyone behind them who nudges them accidently or is pushed into their backs. The guy started the show warning a guy next to me to make sure he doesnt touch his wife, and to stay back. I have seen him do this at every show I have seen him at. He's just not getting it, Now I understand there is no need for some of the crowd behaviour we suffer, but what this guy experienced was nothing but a little ruffling at a rock show.....but he spent the entire 3 gigs i saw him at going balistic at security about people pushing from behind. I mean honestly what do you expect when you are on the barrier? It blew my mind, and it culminated with him being dragged out by security at london because he copuldnt control himself. For a guy in his 40's at least he behaved like a fool.....trying to square up to security as they pulled him out and rejecting their intervention. Then his wife followed.....strange and i think i dont understand this guy more in that he does this every show, its not like its his first show and its a surprise...no he constantly makes the deicsion to wait all day to get the rail and spend the whole performance going ape at those around him...

bizarre, and the only negative experience i saw invol;ving a tenclubbers, whom generally blew me away yet again as tio their friendliness, diversity and banter......

Alsa

Sea wrote:

June 25, 2010 London, England, Hyde Park, Hard Rock Calling Festival

Set List: Given To Fly, Why Go, Brain Damage (Waters), Corduroy, Got Some, Once, World Wide Suicide, Small Town, Amongst The Waves, Even Flow, Unthought Known, Nothing Man, Arms Aloft (Bullen, Shields, Slatterly, Stafford, Strummmer), Not For You, Of The Earth, State Of Love And Trust, Do The Evolution, Wasted Reprise, Better Man/Save It For Later (Charley, Cox, Morton, Steele, Wakeling)

1st encore: Just Breathe, Red Mosquito w/Ben Harper, Black, Porch

2nd encore: Go, The Fixer, Alive, Yellow Ledbetter


Please share your experiences of the show here...the Fanview threads are preserved on the board.

Please keep the Fanview threads for Fanviews. It's ok to begin another thread on discussions of other topics and/or debates.
Thank you

Hey Sea dont forget Under Pressure (David Bowie & Freddie Mercury song) when Eddie came out during Ben Harper's set. It was beautiful, that was song was always one of my top favourite tunes

Alive 79

Wow, what an amzing night, i am still buzzing! My legs are absolutely battered with bruises the size of tennis balls and a size 10 footprint shaped graze on my shin but I loved every minute.

As a 7 stone, size 0 girl, I handled the crowd no problem so don't get why so many people are complaining. I was only a few rows from the barrier but didn't think it was too bad. Yeah there were a few idiots who just wanted to fight but I didn't feel scared at any point. I don't understand why people who have a problem with rowdy crowds, bother trying to get to the front! If you can't handle it, stay back and watch where you feel safe.

I have to admit, I was one of the crowd surfers during alive :oops: but hey, I'm only little and even got groped a few times on the way through! I'm getting married in a month and the last 6 months have pretty much been taken over by planning so for those few minutes when I was surfing over fellow fans heads, I felt so free and Alive!

Highlight for me was finally hearing Red Mosquito and Just Breathe was lovely (a romantic moment with my hubby to be as we're having the song during the wedding ceremony!) Also, standing on hubby's shoulders during Black - the view was amazing from 11 foot in the air! Loved every single minute of those 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Just hope they com back next year to the O2 again!

Thanks to Pearl Jam and all there amazing fans for another awesome night!

BackPackSoul

The show was amazing, but the crowd was really bad :( I don't know why the organizers didn't use additional barriers in the middle of the park to separate the crowd, I was in 2nd raw until the 3rd song and then I was forced to pass the barrier for my own safety...I was a little pissed off... then I realized that I was in London at Hyde Park with Pearl Jam playing...I WAS LUCKY JUST TO BE THERE! so I've enjoyed the rest of the show crying and laughing and dancing and singing as loud as I could this is pearl jam'fan life! AMAZING!

Thanks guys you've definitely changed my life!

beeswax

Kev105 wrote:

I'm a veteran of the London punk scene (1978 to 1980) and I've attended many gigs where I've felt more threatened than I was at any stage on Friday.

i'm not a veteran but also been to HC/punk concerts before. after all i sadly have to say that being on mike's side at a PJ show had always been more brutal than those. never got punched and pushed harder - by big adult men and grumpy girls - than here. it's sad as i thought we are in it for the same reason? or was there an strongest-elbow-contest i missed? and no, i'm not crazy or drunk, just a regular girl that wants to enjoy the concert without fighting with idiots. sad how it affects the evening when youre not in the 'good crowd'. well, maybe i was just not lucky with my position.

anyways, we really enjoyed the london show on stones side with nice neighbors (hi canada! hi florida!). well, one drunken guy spoiled 'of the earth' but otherwise we were lucky and went home smiling

redrock

Pic of setlist:
http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/photos/g ... E0OTgyfQ==

icemanap

fortyshades wrote:

icemanap wrote:

The amount of people who pushed passed me (around 30 rows from the front right of stage) who were 'trying to find their friends' only for the same people to come out past me three songs later with tears streaming down their faces said alot. I have been going to gigs for a long time and I can guage the crowd of how they will react before the band even come on. I am sorry people had unpleasent experiences, but there are a lot of idiots out there. Fortunately I can handle myself in concert situations and I am happy to push someone twice my weight away if they want to mosh. But people who are not used to how a crowd works at a rock gig should simply not go where the crowd will be the most violent. I went to see the Gaslight Anthem last year and when someone went down in the crowd, everyone tried quickly to form some sort of guard so they could get up. Granted this gig was in the Kentish Town Forum but I really hope the boys stick to their own bespoke gigs from now on. I love seeing them and seeing them three times in nine months in London is awesome. But I would trade the Hyde Park experience for another Shepherd's Bush or O2 any day of the week. Great show but fingers crossed they play an arena show again soon.

I do want to react to this, for this puts the blame on the wrong side of the stick. I have been to many concerts, had to deal with many crowds, but if you stood on the left hand side near the centre this particular night was very bad. You had to be there to understand. Some of us were fighting for their lives. (And I'm not trying to be negative here, but trying to start a fair debate about this.) When you stood there it doesn't matter if you knew how a crowd works or not; you got squashed. Why does a concert have to be violent anyway?

I agree with Shepherd Bush or 02; I might come back to London to see those. I will never go to London Calling again.

a concert doesn't have to be that voilent. Last thing we want. The point i am trying to make is that the people who want to get to the front who are not used to the commotion you get there baffles me. We went to see a rock band not s club 7. There will be movement and jostling around. 10clubbers will be used to it, getting in first for the best views but it's the late commers who ruined it for everyone else. If it was a 10c only show, we may not have had these problems. I feel for those who were squashed i really do, but it wasn't like that at the o2. I'm glad everyone was ok. And i for one am happy with the safety calls from eddie. I just wish a few of the idiots listened.

Olivavu

I've enjoyed other PJ gigs a lot more.

Through no fault of their own, this show didn't go down anywhere near as well as certain others I've been to. It wasn't in the same class as Reading at all.

The sound was poor and the crowd was packed with part-timers.

I prefer a more dedicated crowd and a cranked soundsystem!