The ultimate night will be when he plays "Long Nights".
RITFW must have been cool to hear. Was that Ed solo?
Yeah Ed solo... It was nice cause it was after the 2nd encore, and I saw him at his little table with the recorder thing that he uses for hard sun and I thought 'oh no... its ending this is it' But i realised he had a different guitar to what he uses on hard sun
And then the opening rifts to rockin in the free world came on and it was like 'Did he just do that?'
AMAZING
I dont know how he can top perfection... I dont...
Sydney 11/02/2003
Sydney 14/02/2003
Sydney 07/11/2006
Sydney 18/11/2006
Sydney 22/11/2009
EV Sydney 18/03/2011
EV Sydney 19/03/2011
EV Sydney 20/03/2011
Melbourne 24/01/2014
Sydney 26/01/2014
EV Sydney 13/02/2014
Was hoping for My Hometown, my homecoming show and all, but Growing Up... tops. RITFW, Immortality, Picture in a Frame, yum.
Thanks Ed for giving me the Let My Love Open The Door shout out, cos of my Who shirt from last year's RAH Quadrophrenia show, but... this isn't Who, it's PT. Facts, Ed, facts.
That's pretty much the standard Ed-solo way of playing Betterman.
115 bucks for half a haircut by a novice? I want my money back!
The music for betterman wasn't betterman.. Really interesting version. Did anyone recognise the tune or was it a bit of an impromptu thing?
I've not seen Ed solo before, but that rearrangement was amazing. Everyone knows Betterman, knows the story, loves the song, but something about the way it was delivered solo like that really brought the lyrics to the forefront of the song, it became an entirely different song with focus on the subject matter more evident than ever. One of many highlights of last night, an amazing show
The music for betterman wasn't betterman.. Really interesting version. Did anyone recognise the tune or was it a bit of an impromptu thing?
That's his solo way of playing it - referred to as the " Lullaby Version".. much better IMO, not that I don't like the PJ version, but I LOVE the Lullaby version- has made me fall in love with that song all over again. I think it relays the message of the song more clearly as well.
Great show for Sydney 1- would loved to have seen Growing Up, Immortality and RITFW...in EV withdrawls from Brisbane..enjoy the next 2 nights Sydney
I'll ride the wave where it takes me
*BEC, Brisbane, March 1995
*BEC, Brisbane, March 1998
*BEC, Brisbane, November 2006
*QSAC, Brisbane November 2009
*EV Solo, QPAC, Brisbane March 10 and 12 2011
*Big Day Out, Gold Coast, 19 Jan 2014
*EV Solo, QPAC, Brisbane, 22,23 & 25 Feb 2014
Ed Vedder: Sydney, AU Show 1 March 18, 2011
STATE THEATER
1. Don't Be Shy-(Cat Stevens)
2. Around The Bend
3. Sometimes
4. Dead Man
5. Picture In A Frame-(Kathleen Brennan/Tom Waits)
6. Just Breathe
7. Unthought Known
8. Sleeping By Myself-(New Song)
9. You're True (New Song)
10. Setting Forth
11. Far Behind
12. Guaranteed
13. Society-Jerry Hannan
14. Betterman
15. Let My Love Open The Door-(Pete Townshend)
16. Lukin
17. Porch
Encore Break 1
18. Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
19. The Golden State w/ EJ Barnes-(John Doe)
20. Growin' Up-(Bruce Springsteen)
21. Immortality
22. The End
Encore Break 2
23. Keep On Rockin' In The Free World (Neil Young)
24. Hard Sun w/ EJ Barnese & Cecilia
Herbert-(Gordon Peterson)
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!
When I look at this setlist I sometimes wish Ed played the same set every show because I'd die a happy man if that's the Melbourne set next week! And throw in Masters of War for good measure
ANd the ovation when he walked on stage too... We were all standing...
During Unthought known I was like 'holy fuck, this is pretty special, he deserves a standing ovation for this' when the song stopped a handful of people stood up and clapped, so I was up too... Awesome... Can not wait, wish this rain would fuck off though...
People got up and rocked out for porch, ritfw and hard sun..
Elderly woman was cool, he was getting feedback from his guitar in the speaker so he stopped after the first verse.
'feedback is cool when its an electric guitar, but not acoustic'
Sydney 11/02/2003
Sydney 14/02/2003
Sydney 07/11/2006
Sydney 18/11/2006
Sydney 22/11/2009
EV Sydney 18/03/2011
EV Sydney 19/03/2011
EV Sydney 20/03/2011
Melbourne 24/01/2014
Sydney 26/01/2014
EV Sydney 13/02/2014
ed was simply amazing and his voice was as good as i have ever heard it. thankyou ed. oh and i got row 6 centre woohoo!
Nice one. I got front row on Mezzanine. Was a nice different perspective.
On another note, some of the idiotic requests people call out are just embarrasing. SOLAT, Yellow Ledbetter etc.
And it's so incredibly rude when Ed is talking and morons think they're so important that they have the right to interrupt him. And the guy who called out "it's shit" when Ed was talking about his uke album - should have been kicked out. How rude :shock: Glad someone responded with "fuck you man".
Unthought Known is such a showcase of his voice... everyone always seems a bit awe struck after that one.
I couldnt believe that guy. But it seemed to be only 2 idiots yelling stuff out. That guy and the guy who yelled out SOLAT.
The same guy who yelled out 'its shit' also yelled out 'play something we all know'
But from the reports of other shows, idiots seemed to be at a minimum.
Sydney 11/02/2003
Sydney 14/02/2003
Sydney 07/11/2006
Sydney 18/11/2006
Sydney 22/11/2009
EV Sydney 18/03/2011
EV Sydney 19/03/2011
EV Sydney 20/03/2011
Melbourne 24/01/2014
Sydney 26/01/2014
EV Sydney 13/02/2014
Unthought Known is such a showcase of his voice... everyone always seems a bit awe struck after that one.
I was left dumbstruck due to each of the backspacer tracks..
Agreed. My mate I was with was truly amazed. He is a fan of ITW, but doesn't know too much else. After the end, he said 'that there was the moment of the night' hard to disagree.
My mate also left saying that it was probably the best concert he had been to. Again, hard to disagree. I think I will wait to settle down from it all before I make a judgement but WOW WOW WOW
Sydney 11/02/2003
Sydney 14/02/2003
Sydney 07/11/2006
Sydney 18/11/2006
Sydney 22/11/2009
EV Sydney 18/03/2011
EV Sydney 19/03/2011
EV Sydney 20/03/2011
Melbourne 24/01/2014
Sydney 26/01/2014
EV Sydney 13/02/2014
The same guy who yelled out 'its shit' also yelled out 'play something we all know'
That dude was in front of me. His missus also yelled out 'take of your pants Eddie'. He spent many a moment on facebook on his phone as well. He had a few choice other comments like screaming out for 'thumbing my way to heaven!!!!'. Pretty sure I also heard him say to the guy next to him - 'Yellow Ledbetter, they play that at every show', insinuating that Eddie surely has to play it. Strange dude and guys like that go close to ruining your night when they are next to you. His missus was so blind they left a few times - unluckily for him at all the moments the songs i imagine he wanted to hear were played (PJ songs). Don't know what encourages people to behave like that. Society, you're a crazy breed.
What a fantastic show! Made up for the awful time I had at the SFS the other year!
I was front row on the mezz level. It was great to meet a few of you outside including hinn. I was the one with the red and white cheq shirt..my wife Di next to me in a white shirt. We had a few laughs with the 'labcoat' guys outside! What an awesome crew..hats off to you all for your dedication and keep doing what you're doing!!
ed was simply amazing and his voice was as good as i have ever heard it. thankyou ed. oh and i got row 6 centre woohoo!
Nice one. I got front row on Mezzanine. Was a nice different perspective.
On another note, some of the idiotic requests people call out are just embarrasing. SOLAT, Yellow Ledbetter etc.
And it's so incredibly rude when Ed is talking and morons think they're so important that they have the right to interrupt him. And the guy who called out "it's shit" when Ed was talking about his uke album - should have been kicked out. How rude :shock: Glad someone responded with "fuck you man".
Unthought Known is such a showcase of his voice... everyone always seems a bit awe struck after that one.
As idiotic as they were, it only helped to showcase ed's unwavering composure. Eg. When ed was describing his new uke album, saying "it's, er... it's..." and that guy yelled out "shit!", ed just rolled with it, and said "well, no - I wouldn't put out something like that" which got a laugh. Or when ed was talking about the west memphis three and someone yelled over the top of him "free the west memphis three", ed stopped and said "yes, you can repeat that later, but just wait until I've finished my little presentation". Or when he was talking about his seattle friends and someone yelled out "i love seattle!", to which ed responded "oh, I thought it was just me!". He never raised his voice or tore them up, just kept on with the show and made it work for him rather than against. A true showman.
Sydney 3 1998; Brisbane 1 2003; Sydney 1/2/3 2003; Brisbane 1/2 2006; Sydney 1/2/3 2006; Melbourne 1/2 2006; Adelaide 2009; EV Solo Sydney 1 2011.
Rockin in the free world! Man I hope Ed plays that in Melbourne!
And a Nick Cave cover too considering Nick is a Melbourne man.
Can't wait!
PM me anybody if you have a spare tkt I can buy for the 25 march
Melbourne show or the Perth Shows! I gotta see Ed more than once!
E
Eddie Vedder’s first Sydney performance showed the workings of a master of his craft and should be the playbook for any singer-songwriter. The perfect synergy of brilliant, heartfelt material, perfect and passionate delivery, mixed with a handful of stories and anecdotes and a social conscience meant the sell out crowd were sure to witness a unique event that will never be repeated – even though there are still two more Sydney shows to come.
It is difficult not to be drawn into cliché when reviewing a performance like the one we witnessed tonight, but there was no clichés from Vedder as he delivered what the faithful had come to see: a living legend who takes his role seriously and draws his confidence and inspiration from his audience and never takes then for granted nor allows ego to overtake sincerity.
Vedder is not only a craftsman but a communicator – a true wordsmith. Songs from his own solo efforts as well as Pearl Jam favourites and rarities as well as some gem covers were littered with extended discussions with the audience. The discussions ranged from the deadly serious: reminding the audience of the plight of the ‘West Memphis Three’ to the jovial and almost farcical when he called a fan up on stage to give him a hair cut – and proceeded to remove the fan’s mullet to the great amusement of the fan and audience.
He endeared himself to the Sydney audience when recounting a month he had spent living in Bondi with his then girlfriend (now wife) and also in lavishing praise on the male role model of his youth – former world surfing champion, local boy, Mark Richards (who was in the house). Revealing how as a youngster he’d seen Richards on a plane and summed up the courage to say hello and rather then be rejected by the champion, was embraced and had his psyche boosted when the opposite could have left him crushed. Vedder, was true to this story as he sent out a signed poster to a fan who’d been outside the loading area during sound check earlier on.
The gig itself held some expected material as well as a few surprises and the intimate nature of the venue truly highlighted the experience for both Eddie and the crowd. Opening with a brilliant rendition of Cat Steven’s “Don’t Be Shy” it was obvious this intimate mode of performance showcases the subtleties of Vedder’s considerable talent which can be swallowed up in the usual huge arenas we’re used to witnessing him ply his craft. The song could have easily been on of his as it suited his style perfectly.
“Around The Bend” surprised the audience and sounded fresh like it had just been written and for many of the more ‘casual’ fans in attendance probably was a ‘new’ song to them. It was a poignant performance which hushed the audience and left the spellbound and led into a thumping rollicking version of “Sometimes” which started quietly but got louder and more energetic as it progressed with Eddie stomping out the beat louder as the song progressed.
A special moment came next when Eddie delivered reminder of a ‘Death Sentence Case back in the US’ and introduced the West Memphis Three, but decided to leave discussion of it till later in the evening as he was feeling the vibe and wanted to keep playing. He launched into a particularly soulful version of “Dead Man” which left everyone in the beautiful theatre under no illusions of Ed’s stance on the death penalty and his previous activism in the ‘Not In My Name’ movement.
Tom Waits’ “Picture In a Frame” was tender and heartfelt and Ed’s voice and guitar playing were as good as the material he was delivering. There was no doubt we were witnessing ‘heart on his sleave’ Eddie Vedder as the emotion of this song could be felt by all. “Just Breathe” and “Unthought Known” in stripped down acoustic mode were brilliant and showed how good the material on Backspacer is and gave an insight into how this Pearl Jam material was probably demoed in Ed’s music room which was where we seemed to be been transported to.
Mid way into the first set and Ed decided to reveal two new songs on the Uke. Announcing that he was putting out an album of Uke songs, some idiot ion the crowd questioned the wisdom of this by interrupting Ed yelling out “Shit”, to be howled down by those around him and also called out by Vedder who replied, ‘I’d never do that to you’. He then jokingly explained the album had two original songs on it and the rest was made up of 80s Heavy Metal covers. He then launched into “Sleeping By Myself” and “You’re True” which are delicate pieces of Vedder’s emotions – obviously first person and written in moments of vulnerability or longing which we’ve come to expect from both his solo and Pearl Jam work.
After this, Eddie introduced the next few songs as dedicated to Christopher McCandless from the Sean Penn movie, ‘Into The Wild’ for which Ed provided the soundtrack. “Setting Forth”, “Far Behind”, “Guaranteed” and “Society” were played in this section and sounded better in the intimate mode than they do on the vinyl version of the recording. The brilliant sound acoustics of the small theatre displayed exactly how these songs were meant to be performed and listened to. He kept the acoustic theme moving with a reworked version of Betterman which bared little resemblance to the original and breathed new life and emotion into a song which for many hardcore Pearl Jam fans had lost its lustre – but not enjoyment - due to high radio and live rotation.
Picking up one the two Stratocasters on stage, Ed thumped out a rocking and particularly memorable version of Pete Townsend’s classic “Let My Love Open The Door” which had many in the audience on their feet and Ed’s guitar playing filled out the song so it was difficult to notice it was not an entire band on stage. Pete would have been proud. Without stopping for breath he picked up his accousitc and let rip with a very punky speed metal version of “Lukin”, delivered with all the anger and venom of the version from the amazing Pearl Jam DVD “Immagine in Cornice”. All the was left was for a great version of “Porch” and to a thunderous applause, Ed left the stage for a quick break.
The second set began with a crowd singalong to “Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town”, which lost nothing from not having his Pearl Jam brothers in Arms on stage with him and sounded as fresh as the day it was released. Again, this is testament to the quality of the original material and you could imagine being around a camp fire while Ed strummed and sang this to a few friends.
Ed was then joined by EJ Barnes to accompany him on a touching rendition of Golden State. Her voice, sweet and vulnerable, complimented Ed’s perfectly and it is obvious she deserves future success on her own terms as her performances as foil with Ed and previously Liam Finn have highlighted a subtle talent that deserves to shine in its own right. Ed chose his support act wisely and hopefully she will tour the states with him to showcase her talent to the US fans.
Jerry Hannan’s “Society” was brilliant and showed how Ed can perform other songwriters’ material with a passion and sensitivity not only reserved for his offerings. This was equally true of the next song (dedicated to Mark Richards), Bruce Springsteen’s “Growing Up” was particulary touching and brought tears to the eyes of my wife, missing our children who are on the other side of our country while we attend these shows in Sydney. It was heartfelt yet powerful and driving and shows how Vedder is every bit the master as his idol.
After this it was time for a request and the Stat to be played again, complete with slight distortion and a surprise performance of “Immortality” was delivered in respect of all the legends of music who were lost way too soon. Ed This was obviously a crowd favourite and again the intimate mode of this performance made the song’s theme even more soul searching and meaningful. Thank goodness Vedder and his band survived the 90s to continue producing and performing music that makes a difference. After this, “The End” closed off the second set and was the perfect follow up to “Immortality” and it was fairly obvious these songs left the crowd shell shocked and overwhelmed by the emotion.
Coming back for the second encore, Ed launched into a crowd favourite – a song which Pearl Jam do so well, that it could almost be theirs. Neil Young’s “Rocking In The Free World” had the corwd shouting along, on their feet, house lights on and the balconies shaking. It is debateable if the State Theatre has ever been rocked that hard by a solo performer.
To finish the show, Ed was joined by EJ Barnes and Cecilia Herbert to end the show with the ‘Into The Wild” classic, “Hard Sun”. It was a perfect end to the night with the crowd on their feet and singing along while Ed and the ladies produced a kind of magic to which there could be no follow up.
One Sydney show down, two to go.
Thanks so much for posting that review Paul. You described it so well and I nearly had tears in my eyes reflecting on what was such a special night. Good luck with the rest of the shows, and I'm sure you guys will be glad to get back to those kids at the end of it all.
Sydney 3 1998; Brisbane 1 2003; Sydney 1/2/3 2003; Brisbane 1/2 2006; Sydney 1/2/3 2006; Melbourne 1/2 2006; Adelaide 2009; EV Solo Sydney 1 2011.
I thought our Newcastle show was friggin awesome, but sounds like first night Sydney was magic, RITFW and Immortality sounded like everyones highlights, jealous of and happy for all those that were there, wish I had the time and funds to attend more than one.
I've thanked Ed, but above all else, thank you friends. Wouldn't do this if not for youse. All of youse. 4 1/2 years now since I first put on that wig. Someone, something, has been looking over my back ever since I put that thing on. Show yourself, so I can share you with me mates
Thanks Pete for returning My Precious
Thanks to the audience for putting up with the two of us clowning around. I'm always up for a laugh, but I never really expected the band, or Ed, to join in my shenanigans. Hope I didn't overstay my welcome
In case anyone cares, this is the story.
Back in Newcastle, the pub we were drinking at after the show was closing, so we went in search of the next drinking place. Out comes Ed, Pete and Smitty through the front door of the Newy venue (apparently there was a whole bunch of people waiting in the back). I was standing off so the mates around me who hadn't met him before can have their experience but he kinda honed in on me. He made fun of my hair (he was stoned, couldn't tell it was a wig), so I returned the favour and had a dig at him about the mohawk. Told him I'll get it cut when he gets one. Everyone's done with the quick greeting, and I'm done with the laugh, so we go separate ways.
During this Sydney show, he starts telling this story, gets confused between my friend Rob and I, thought that he caught me at Mark Richards' surf shop (I went there, just not at the same time, this is Rob's part) and talked about this chat about crap hair, with this blonde mullet guy. He says he got a trim the day before so I should keep my word and get a haircut right there and then, and calls me out to the stage.
I eventually step up and he sits me down on the stool behind the mic, pulls out a pair of scissors from the suitcase prop he's got on stage, and starts working on the wig.
It really wasn't much of a haircut for my actual hair. He cut like an inch off here and there. He did kinda massacre my wig though. He cuts most of the back of the mullet off, pokes fun at the fact that it's not even real, and starts trimming my actual hair.
My mate Ryan who made these custom tour hats yells at me to put it on- I'd been holding it in my hand.
I put my hat on and told him to cut a bowl around it, before realising I'm most likely overstaying my welcome. He asks If I was serious before I said nahhhh, the stage is all yours mate, thanks for the hair cut, and got off stage. He tried to hand me a pick but I was halfway off the stage already, so he tossed me this Hawaiian necklace made of shells.
Pete handed the 'mullet' back to me after the 2nd show tonight. Tried to recover it last night but Pete waved from the stage then that it's in the back somewhere.
115 bucks for half a haircut by a novice? I want my money back!
Awesome story my friend, I am so happy for you :thumbup:
any pics of the moment ?
Niko
CAN'T KEEP CRAZY MARY IN MY TREE NO WAY NOT FOR YOU. ALL THOSE YESTERDAY JEREMY is ALONE, SAD with RATS & BUGS it's HARD TO IMAGINE a JEREMY a BETTER MAN.
LIFE WASTED, BLOOD on the PORCH, LAST KISS is a WISHLIST DEEP DOWN NOTHING AS IT SEEMS WHY GO COME BACK ALIVE SPIN THE BLACK CIRCLE and SMILE.
Awesome frikkin show. but what about the poster for the night? was there one? love his solo version of betterman. absolutely beautiful... and MR youre a true legend.
Good night. Highlight was Golden State. All ITW songs sounded great. Voice (sound) didnt seem as clear Newy but maybe coz the missus has been screaming at me all week .
I've thanked Ed, but above all else, thank you friends. Wouldn't do this if not for youse. All of youse. 4 1/2 years now since I first put on that wig. Someone, something, has been looking over my back ever since I put that thing on. Show yourself, so I can share you with me mates
Thanks Pete for returning My Precious
Thanks to the audience for putting up with the two of us clowning around. I'm always up for a laugh, but I never really expected the band, or Ed, to join in my shenanigans. Hope I didn't overstay my welcome
Hinn, mate it was nice to see Ed having some fun with you. I thought though that he might have planned this (maybe not with you though) or does he always carry around scissors just in case he needs to use them during a show? Maybe that's why he had a few suitcases with him on stage
I've thanked Ed, but above all else, thank you friends. Wouldn't do this if not for youse. All of youse. 4 1/2 years now since I first put on that wig. Someone, something, has been looking over my back ever since I put that thing on. Show yourself, so I can share you with me mates
Thanks Pete for returning My Precious
Thanks to the audience for putting up with the two of us clowning around. I'm always up for a laugh, but I never really expected the band, or Ed, to join in my shenanigans. Hope I didn't overstay my welcome
Hinn, mate it was nice to see Ed having some fun with you. I thought though that he might have planned this (maybe not with you though) or does he always carry around scissors just in case he needs to use them during a show? Maybe that's why he had a few suitcases with him on stage
I got the impression he had thought of it during the day sometime or the evening before after they met, grabbed some scissors he had or saw lying around to take to the gig.
<hr>
PJ - Auckland 2009; Alpine Valley1&2 2011; Man1, Am'dam1&2, Berlin1&2, Stockholm, Oslo & Copenhagen 2012; LA, Oakland, Portland, Spokane, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle 2013; Auckland 2014, Auckland1&2 2024
EV - Canberra, Newcastle & Sydney 1&2 2011
Comments
Yeah Ed solo... It was nice cause it was after the 2nd encore, and I saw him at his little table with the recorder thing that he uses for hard sun and I thought 'oh no... its ending this is it' But i realised he had a different guitar to what he uses on hard sun
And then the opening rifts to rockin in the free world came on and it was like 'Did he just do that?'
AMAZING
I dont know how he can top perfection... I dont...
Sydney 14/02/2003
Sydney 07/11/2006
Sydney 18/11/2006
Sydney 22/11/2009
EV Sydney 18/03/2011
EV Sydney 19/03/2011
EV Sydney 20/03/2011
Melbourne 24/01/2014
Sydney 26/01/2014
EV Sydney 13/02/2014
EV Sydney 2011-03-18, 2011-03-19, 2014-02-11, 2014-02-13
Thanks Ed for giving me the Let My Love Open The Door shout out, cos of my Who shirt from last year's RAH Quadrophrenia show, but... this isn't Who, it's PT. Facts, Ed, facts.
That's pretty much the standard Ed-solo way of playing Betterman.
I've not seen Ed solo before, but that rearrangement was amazing. Everyone knows Betterman, knows the story, loves the song, but something about the way it was delivered solo like that really brought the lyrics to the forefront of the song, it became an entirely different song with focus on the subject matter more evident than ever. One of many highlights of last night, an amazing show
That's his solo way of playing it - referred to as the " Lullaby Version".. much better IMO, not that I don't like the PJ version, but I LOVE the Lullaby version- has made me fall in love with that song all over again. I think it relays the message of the song more clearly as well.
Great show for Sydney 1- would loved to have seen Growing Up, Immortality and RITFW...in EV withdrawls from Brisbane..enjoy the next 2 nights Sydney
*BEC, Brisbane, March 1995
*BEC, Brisbane, March 1998
*BEC, Brisbane, November 2006
*QSAC, Brisbane November 2009
*EV Solo, QPAC, Brisbane March 10 and 12 2011
*Big Day Out, Gold Coast, 19 Jan 2014
*EV Solo, QPAC, Brisbane, 22,23 & 25 Feb 2014
When I look at this setlist I sometimes wish Ed played the same set every show because I'd die a happy man if that's the Melbourne set next week! And throw in Masters of War for good measure
Melbourne #2 '03
Melbourne #3 '03
Melbourne #1 '06
Melbourne #3 '06
Melbourne '09
Melbourne '14
During Unthought known I was like 'holy fuck, this is pretty special, he deserves a standing ovation for this' when the song stopped a handful of people stood up and clapped, so I was up too... Awesome... Can not wait, wish this rain would fuck off though...
People got up and rocked out for porch, ritfw and hard sun..
Elderly woman was cool, he was getting feedback from his guitar in the speaker so he stopped after the first verse.
'feedback is cool when its an electric guitar, but not acoustic'
Sydney 14/02/2003
Sydney 07/11/2006
Sydney 18/11/2006
Sydney 22/11/2009
EV Sydney 18/03/2011
EV Sydney 19/03/2011
EV Sydney 20/03/2011
Melbourne 24/01/2014
Sydney 26/01/2014
EV Sydney 13/02/2014
PJ - Auckland 2009; Alpine Valley1&2 2011; Man1, Am'dam1&2, Berlin1&2, Stockholm, Oslo & Copenhagen 2012; LA, Oakland, Portland, Spokane, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle 2013; Auckland 2014, Auckland1&2 2024
EV - Canberra, Newcastle & Sydney 1&2 2011
Nice one. I got front row on Mezzanine. Was a nice different perspective.
On another note, some of the idiotic requests people call out are just embarrasing. SOLAT, Yellow Ledbetter etc.
And it's so incredibly rude when Ed is talking and morons think they're so important that they have the right to interrupt him. And the guy who called out "it's shit" when Ed was talking about his uke album - should have been kicked out. How rude :shock: Glad someone responded with "fuck you man".
Unthought Known is such a showcase of his voice... everyone always seems a bit awe struck after that one.
The same guy who yelled out 'its shit' also yelled out 'play something we all know'
But from the reports of other shows, idiots seemed to be at a minimum.
Sydney 14/02/2003
Sydney 07/11/2006
Sydney 18/11/2006
Sydney 22/11/2009
EV Sydney 18/03/2011
EV Sydney 19/03/2011
EV Sydney 20/03/2011
Melbourne 24/01/2014
Sydney 26/01/2014
EV Sydney 13/02/2014
I was left dumbstruck due to each of the backspacer tracks..
EV Sydney 2011-03-18, 2011-03-19, 2014-02-11, 2014-02-13
Agreed. My mate I was with was truly amazed. He is a fan of ITW, but doesn't know too much else. After the end, he said 'that there was the moment of the night' hard to disagree.
My mate also left saying that it was probably the best concert he had been to. Again, hard to disagree. I think I will wait to settle down from it all before I make a judgement but WOW WOW WOW
Sydney 14/02/2003
Sydney 07/11/2006
Sydney 18/11/2006
Sydney 22/11/2009
EV Sydney 18/03/2011
EV Sydney 19/03/2011
EV Sydney 20/03/2011
Melbourne 24/01/2014
Sydney 26/01/2014
EV Sydney 13/02/2014
That dude was in front of me. His missus also yelled out 'take of your pants Eddie'. He spent many a moment on facebook on his phone as well. He had a few choice other comments like screaming out for 'thumbing my way to heaven!!!!'. Pretty sure I also heard him say to the guy next to him - 'Yellow Ledbetter, they play that at every show', insinuating that Eddie surely has to play it. Strange dude and guys like that go close to ruining your night when they are next to you. His missus was so blind they left a few times - unluckily for him at all the moments the songs i imagine he wanted to hear were played (PJ songs). Don't know what encourages people to behave like that. Society, you're a crazy breed.
I was front row on the mezz level. It was great to meet a few of you outside including hinn. I was the one with the red and white cheq shirt..my wife Di next to me in a white shirt. We had a few laughs with the 'labcoat' guys outside! What an awesome crew..hats off to you all for your dedication and keep doing what you're doing!!
PM me if you remember us!
And a Nick Cave cover too considering Nick is a Melbourne man.
Can't wait!
PM me anybody if you have a spare tkt I can buy for the 25 march
Melbourne show or the Perth Shows! I gotta see Ed more than once!
E
Eddie Vedder’s first Sydney performance showed the workings of a master of his craft and should be the playbook for any singer-songwriter. The perfect synergy of brilliant, heartfelt material, perfect and passionate delivery, mixed with a handful of stories and anecdotes and a social conscience meant the sell out crowd were sure to witness a unique event that will never be repeated – even though there are still two more Sydney shows to come.
It is difficult not to be drawn into cliché when reviewing a performance like the one we witnessed tonight, but there was no clichés from Vedder as he delivered what the faithful had come to see: a living legend who takes his role seriously and draws his confidence and inspiration from his audience and never takes then for granted nor allows ego to overtake sincerity.
Vedder is not only a craftsman but a communicator – a true wordsmith. Songs from his own solo efforts as well as Pearl Jam favourites and rarities as well as some gem covers were littered with extended discussions with the audience. The discussions ranged from the deadly serious: reminding the audience of the plight of the ‘West Memphis Three’ to the jovial and almost farcical when he called a fan up on stage to give him a hair cut – and proceeded to remove the fan’s mullet to the great amusement of the fan and audience.
He endeared himself to the Sydney audience when recounting a month he had spent living in Bondi with his then girlfriend (now wife) and also in lavishing praise on the male role model of his youth – former world surfing champion, local boy, Mark Richards (who was in the house). Revealing how as a youngster he’d seen Richards on a plane and summed up the courage to say hello and rather then be rejected by the champion, was embraced and had his psyche boosted when the opposite could have left him crushed. Vedder, was true to this story as he sent out a signed poster to a fan who’d been outside the loading area during sound check earlier on.
The gig itself held some expected material as well as a few surprises and the intimate nature of the venue truly highlighted the experience for both Eddie and the crowd. Opening with a brilliant rendition of Cat Steven’s “Don’t Be Shy” it was obvious this intimate mode of performance showcases the subtleties of Vedder’s considerable talent which can be swallowed up in the usual huge arenas we’re used to witnessing him ply his craft. The song could have easily been on of his as it suited his style perfectly.
“Around The Bend” surprised the audience and sounded fresh like it had just been written and for many of the more ‘casual’ fans in attendance probably was a ‘new’ song to them. It was a poignant performance which hushed the audience and left the spellbound and led into a thumping rollicking version of “Sometimes” which started quietly but got louder and more energetic as it progressed with Eddie stomping out the beat louder as the song progressed.
A special moment came next when Eddie delivered reminder of a ‘Death Sentence Case back in the US’ and introduced the West Memphis Three, but decided to leave discussion of it till later in the evening as he was feeling the vibe and wanted to keep playing. He launched into a particularly soulful version of “Dead Man” which left everyone in the beautiful theatre under no illusions of Ed’s stance on the death penalty and his previous activism in the ‘Not In My Name’ movement.
Tom Waits’ “Picture In a Frame” was tender and heartfelt and Ed’s voice and guitar playing were as good as the material he was delivering. There was no doubt we were witnessing ‘heart on his sleave’ Eddie Vedder as the emotion of this song could be felt by all. “Just Breathe” and “Unthought Known” in stripped down acoustic mode were brilliant and showed how good the material on Backspacer is and gave an insight into how this Pearl Jam material was probably demoed in Ed’s music room which was where we seemed to be been transported to.
Mid way into the first set and Ed decided to reveal two new songs on the Uke. Announcing that he was putting out an album of Uke songs, some idiot ion the crowd questioned the wisdom of this by interrupting Ed yelling out “Shit”, to be howled down by those around him and also called out by Vedder who replied, ‘I’d never do that to you’. He then jokingly explained the album had two original songs on it and the rest was made up of 80s Heavy Metal covers. He then launched into “Sleeping By Myself” and “You’re True” which are delicate pieces of Vedder’s emotions – obviously first person and written in moments of vulnerability or longing which we’ve come to expect from both his solo and Pearl Jam work.
After this, Eddie introduced the next few songs as dedicated to Christopher McCandless from the Sean Penn movie, ‘Into The Wild’ for which Ed provided the soundtrack. “Setting Forth”, “Far Behind”, “Guaranteed” and “Society” were played in this section and sounded better in the intimate mode than they do on the vinyl version of the recording. The brilliant sound acoustics of the small theatre displayed exactly how these songs were meant to be performed and listened to. He kept the acoustic theme moving with a reworked version of Betterman which bared little resemblance to the original and breathed new life and emotion into a song which for many hardcore Pearl Jam fans had lost its lustre – but not enjoyment - due to high radio and live rotation.
Picking up one the two Stratocasters on stage, Ed thumped out a rocking and particularly memorable version of Pete Townsend’s classic “Let My Love Open The Door” which had many in the audience on their feet and Ed’s guitar playing filled out the song so it was difficult to notice it was not an entire band on stage. Pete would have been proud. Without stopping for breath he picked up his accousitc and let rip with a very punky speed metal version of “Lukin”, delivered with all the anger and venom of the version from the amazing Pearl Jam DVD “Immagine in Cornice”. All the was left was for a great version of “Porch” and to a thunderous applause, Ed left the stage for a quick break.
The second set began with a crowd singalong to “Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town”, which lost nothing from not having his Pearl Jam brothers in Arms on stage with him and sounded as fresh as the day it was released. Again, this is testament to the quality of the original material and you could imagine being around a camp fire while Ed strummed and sang this to a few friends.
Ed was then joined by EJ Barnes to accompany him on a touching rendition of Golden State. Her voice, sweet and vulnerable, complimented Ed’s perfectly and it is obvious she deserves future success on her own terms as her performances as foil with Ed and previously Liam Finn have highlighted a subtle talent that deserves to shine in its own right. Ed chose his support act wisely and hopefully she will tour the states with him to showcase her talent to the US fans.
Jerry Hannan’s “Society” was brilliant and showed how Ed can perform other songwriters’ material with a passion and sensitivity not only reserved for his offerings. This was equally true of the next song (dedicated to Mark Richards), Bruce Springsteen’s “Growing Up” was particulary touching and brought tears to the eyes of my wife, missing our children who are on the other side of our country while we attend these shows in Sydney. It was heartfelt yet powerful and driving and shows how Vedder is every bit the master as his idol.
After this it was time for a request and the Stat to be played again, complete with slight distortion and a surprise performance of “Immortality” was delivered in respect of all the legends of music who were lost way too soon. Ed This was obviously a crowd favourite and again the intimate mode of this performance made the song’s theme even more soul searching and meaningful. Thank goodness Vedder and his band survived the 90s to continue producing and performing music that makes a difference. After this, “The End” closed off the second set and was the perfect follow up to “Immortality” and it was fairly obvious these songs left the crowd shell shocked and overwhelmed by the emotion.
Coming back for the second encore, Ed launched into a crowd favourite – a song which Pearl Jam do so well, that it could almost be theirs. Neil Young’s “Rocking In The Free World” had the corwd shouting along, on their feet, house lights on and the balconies shaking. It is debateable if the State Theatre has ever been rocked that hard by a solo performer.
To finish the show, Ed was joined by EJ Barnes and Cecilia Herbert to end the show with the ‘Into The Wild” classic, “Hard Sun”. It was a perfect end to the night with the crowd on their feet and singing along while Ed and the ladies produced a kind of magic to which there could be no follow up.
One Sydney show down, two to go.
Me either. I've never heard it at any of the PJ shows I've been to. Definitely on my list of songs to hear live! Please play it in Melbourne Ed!
Thanks Pete for returning My Precious
Thanks to the audience for putting up with the two of us clowning around. I'm always up for a laugh, but I never really expected the band, or Ed, to join in my shenanigans. Hope I didn't overstay my welcome
In case anyone cares, this is the story.
Back in Newcastle, the pub we were drinking at after the show was closing, so we went in search of the next drinking place. Out comes Ed, Pete and Smitty through the front door of the Newy venue (apparently there was a whole bunch of people waiting in the back). I was standing off so the mates around me who hadn't met him before can have their experience but he kinda honed in on me. He made fun of my hair (he was stoned, couldn't tell it was a wig), so I returned the favour and had a dig at him about the mohawk. Told him I'll get it cut when he gets one. Everyone's done with the quick greeting, and I'm done with the laugh, so we go separate ways.
During this Sydney show, he starts telling this story, gets confused between my friend Rob and I, thought that he caught me at Mark Richards' surf shop (I went there, just not at the same time, this is Rob's part) and talked about this chat about crap hair, with this blonde mullet guy. He says he got a trim the day before so I should keep my word and get a haircut right there and then, and calls me out to the stage.
I eventually step up and he sits me down on the stool behind the mic, pulls out a pair of scissors from the suitcase prop he's got on stage, and starts working on the wig.
It really wasn't much of a haircut for my actual hair. He cut like an inch off here and there. He did kinda massacre my wig though. He cuts most of the back of the mullet off, pokes fun at the fact that it's not even real, and starts trimming my actual hair.
My mate Ryan who made these custom tour hats yells at me to put it on- I'd been holding it in my hand.
I put my hat on and told him to cut a bowl around it, before realising I'm most likely overstaying my welcome. He asks If I was serious before I said nahhhh, the stage is all yours mate, thanks for the hair cut, and got off stage. He tried to hand me a pick but I was halfway off the stage already, so he tossed me this Hawaiian necklace made of shells.
Pete handed the 'mullet' back to me after the 2nd show tonight. Tried to recover it last night but Pete waved from the stage then that it's in the back somewhere.
any pics of the moment ?
Niko
LIFE WASTED, BLOOD on the PORCH, LAST KISS is a WISHLIST DEEP DOWN NOTHING AS IT SEEMS WHY GO COME BACK ALIVE SPIN THE BLACK CIRCLE and SMILE.
PJ - Auckland 2009; Alpine Valley1&2 2011; Man1, Am'dam1&2, Berlin1&2, Stockholm, Oslo & Copenhagen 2012; LA, Oakland, Portland, Spokane, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle 2013; Auckland 2014, Auckland1&2 2024
EV - Canberra, Newcastle & Sydney 1&2 2011
Good night. Highlight was Golden State. All ITW songs sounded great. Voice (sound) didnt seem as clear Newy but maybe coz the missus has been screaming at me all week .
For once Sydney crowd didnt embarrass me.
Enjoy the rest of the shows people
Hinn, mate it was nice to see Ed having some fun with you. I thought though that he might have planned this (maybe not with you though) or does he always carry around scissors just in case he needs to use them during a show? Maybe that's why he had a few suitcases with him on stage
PJ - Auckland 2009; Alpine Valley1&2 2011; Man1, Am'dam1&2, Berlin1&2, Stockholm, Oslo & Copenhagen 2012; LA, Oakland, Portland, Spokane, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle 2013; Auckland 2014, Auckland1&2 2024
EV - Canberra, Newcastle & Sydney 1&2 2011