I'll admit that when i saw PJ for the 3rd time which was the second night of PJ20, i said to myself i don't wanna hear the "hits". So when songs like even flow, jeremy, elderly woman, given to fly came up; my initial reaction was disappointment but then within 10 seconds i wised up and realized these are the songs i came to know first and these were the songs that i love. and just because i've heard them a lot doesn't stop these songs from being kickass. Those were rocking versions of jeremy, even flow, and GTF. And elderly woman was so pretty like always. Pearl Jam does amazing things at their shows, let's try not to take that for granted. We're witnesses to something truly special each time we see a concert
speaking as a child who shouldve have been a teen in the 90's
Asking PJ to not play those songs is like asking Bruce Springsteen to not play Born to Run, 10th Ave Freezeout, Jungleland and Thunder Road
or asking U2 to not play One, with or without you, Bad, or Where the streets have no name
Or asking the Rolling Stones to stop playing Satisfaction, Under my thumb, and Honky Tonk woman
just not going to happen
I for one enjoyed seeing/hearing so many different songs in Toronto. But was also ok with the repeats.
Asking PJ to not play those songs is like asking Bruce Springsteen to not play Born to Run, 10th Ave Freezeout, Jungleland and Thunder Road
or asking U2 to not play One, with or without you, Bad, or Where the streets have no name
Or asking the Rolling Stones to stop playing Satisfaction, Under my thumb, and Honky Tonk woman
just not going to happen
I for one enjoyed seeing/hearing so many different songs in Toronto. But was also ok with the repeats.
i like that analogy :thumbup:
speaking as a child who shouldve have been a teen in the 90's
When listening at home, I do skip some 'hit' songs....when I heard the Canadian set lists, I was green with envy, despite having heard so many songs at Alpine, because the band had changed the tag, or the solo was different etc. I love the fact that the live shows can have 'hits' yet they are different from other nights. Songs are reworked too which adds to the fun. I will not complain about any setlist...just wish I could be in Canada this month! The fact we have set list relayers for each night stands testament to how Pearl Jam changes things up for everyone.
The worst is when you see fans that have seen the band over 30-40 times that complain about the lottery. They get their seat pushed back from row 10 to row 12 and they almost have tears in their eyes. :roll:
The worst is when you see fans that have seen the band over 30-40 times that complain about the lottery. They get their seat pushed back from row 10 to row 12 and they almost have tears in their eyes. :roll:
While that does happen at all the shows my major complaint as a long time 10club member is all the tall dudes in front of me for both of the Toronto shows.
Really? All those people with lower member numbers are all over 6 feet? Seems like a conspiracy to me'
Like the seat allocation is rigged!! :roll:
The worst is when you see fans that have seen the band over 30-40 times that complain about the lottery. They get their seat pushed back from row 10 to row 12 and they almost have tears in their eyes. :roll:
Seeing the band 30-40 times has absolutely nothing to do with 10C number and seat location. I've seen them 45 times and am lucky to sniff the 20th row.
I get your guys' points, but for the record, people could walk out of a rarities show and I wouldn't give two shits. I don't go to PJ shows to make sure everyone else has a good time.
Maybe not, but being at a show where everyone is having a good time can really boost the whole experience to a new level.
If PJ wanted to play a rarities setlist and everyone left, it would be the best thing ever. How good of a time I have is not dependant on whether everyone else is having a good time or not. In fact the other people at concerts only detract from the experience. Texting, drinking too much, cigarettes, doing drugs, etc., only detract from my experience. I know it is "selfish" of me to not want other people to engage in activities that affect those around them, while I just stand there and enjoy the music.
If PJ wanted to play a rarities setlist and everyone left, it would be the best thing ever. How good of a time I have is not dependant on whether everyone else is having a good time or not. In fact the other people at concerts only detract from the experience. Texting, drinking too much, cigarettes, doing drugs, etc., only detract from my experience. I know it is "selfish" of me to not want other people to engage in activities that affect those around them, while I just stand there and enjoy the music.
Really?
I would think that this sort of show would kill the mood for both the audience and the band. When I go to see Pearl Jam I appreciate that the crowd is into it. I can't imagine the band being into a show where the audience is literally running to the exits.
do the whiners think the band WANTS to play even flow, alive, porch, betterman, etc ... every night? ... don't you think they wouldn't mind playing a bunch of their rarities ... maybe do an all mike and stone written songs night?
they don't for the same reasons why they go on stage on time pretty much every night and that they don't cancel shows cuz someone is fucking blitzed from the night before ... they are professionals and hard working musicians ... they understand that the majority of the crowd are not going to know their entire catalogue and that even within the 10C seats ... there are many who are bringing their partner and may not be die hards as well ... they play those "hits" because they feel obligated to ... everyone for the most part shells out the same amount and just because you want to hear certain songs and not hear certain songs is irrelevant to the band ...
having said that - yeah, you have a right to complain ... but just realize that when you do - you come across as a spoiled fan with entitlement issues ...
do the whiners think the band WANTS to play even flow, alive, porch, betterman, etc ... every night?
I kinda do, yes. I think they play many songs that they enjoy and I also think they enjoy having a large catalog of rarities. It adds to the mystique of their live show.
do the whiners think the band WANTS to play even flow, alive, porch, betterman, etc ... every night?
I kinda do, yes. I think they play many songs that they enjoy and I also think they enjoy having a large catalog of rarities. It adds to the mystique of their live show.
I'm sure they enjoy seeing the crowd get ramped up for Alive, and I'm sure they enjoy the TC area in front of the stage go nuts when they bust out something like Undone or All Those Yesterdays.
I personally would LOVE a show that was all rarities (like Alpine 1 or the Vic or something), but I know its not going to happen. I'm not going to go and complain if they don't play 10 rarities!
I still believe very much though that the band makes a fortune off of traveling fans who go to multiple shows and buy every piece of merch they can. I think that is why people expect diverse sets with rarities. Its a definite give and take - the band does such a great job mixing it up that it creates more people going to more shows who expect it. If they played close to the same set every night, how many of us are going to more than 1-2 shows in a tour? I probably would never travel for a show if that was the case, and I think they know it although I could obviously be overthinking it. But you know the TC has stats like that available to look at (people who travel, etc).
Been to both Toronto shows and will be at Hamilton tonight on this tour - here is my two cents...
I get both sides...strictly speaking I would not want to hear Alive or Even Flow at tonight's show but only because I have heard them each concert before. However, I wouldn't complain about it like I think the band had wronged me and I would still sing along and move to it (while embarassing myself of course) - that is simply my personal preference
On the other hand, I am also a fan of Tool and if you see one show from them, you have basically seen them all because like most other bands their setlist remains the same each night with maybe one or two different songs and Maynard hiding behind in the shadows (I know, it's his schtick)
I think the point is what many of you have been saying - have your opinions and voice them but don't make it appear as those PJ presents this static concert each night. There is more than enough variation to make most people happy which is for what I am sure they aim.
Anyway, that's my two cents...here's to hoping tonight's show rocks like always
Maybe instead of whining about the setlist they played at your 101st concert you should sit back and be thankful you have been afforded the chance in life to see Pearl Jam that many times live.
As someone who has seen many shows... I've worked very hard to have the opportunity to be able to afford to see the band as many times as I wish. It's not like someone gave me money to see all of those shows. I think we are entitled to our own opinion of the setlist. What's worse, judging a setlist, or judging a person based on something as trivial as their opinion of a setlist?
Regardless of how hard you work, etc. you are in a very fortunate situation to be able to see them. A lot of people work very hard but have circumstances which range from logistics, to family, to unfortunate situations which do not allow it. This response oozes with entitlement. You sound so young american.
I want to rock and roll all night, and part of every day. - M. McCready
All I know is that I will go see them next time they play within 6 hours of me...and that Eddie spends an inordinate amount of time devising setlists and takes into consideration what they have played in that particular city in the past, what songs are clicking and which ones are on "the shelf" for whatever reason. I think its pretty ignorant of any fan to assume that they know better than Eddie what should be played or not!!! In Eddie I trust!
do the whiners think the band WANTS to play even flow, alive, porch, betterman, etc ... every night?
I kinda do, yes. I think they play many songs that they enjoy and I also think they enjoy having a large catalog of rarities. It adds to the mystique of their live show.
This^
They love their standards/classics. I mean, simply watch Ed during the Better Man singalong wearing all that emotion on his face...or Mike's passionate head-tilt as he stretches out the solo to Even Flow...or Jeff & Stone grooving during the Porch jam...or everyone, both band and audience, so full of joy and an electric spirit during the entirety of Alive.
If they were a jam band like Phish or Widespread Panic, they could and would play a completely different set each night. If they were a classic radio rock band like the aforementioned U2, they would play all of their hits in the same or a very similar order and only change a song or two each night. If they were a modern indie rock band like Arcade Fire, they would play their sets with some variation in song choices and order, but play those songs close to the exact same way every time.
They simultaneously combine everything above and shirk everything above because they are the most complete and unique live act on the planet. They don't have to follow anyone's plan but their own. If they fit in with any of the above artists, their human stage presence would likely be dominated by a video or light show, and/or they would be boring to watch. Instead, there is barely any visual adornment onstage (what little there is is distinctly human in nature, such as Ed's composition notebook & bottles). They cover nearly the entire spectrum of the history of rock, integrating rockabilly, blues, punk, garage, anthemic pop-rock, hard rock/metal, funk, jam, soft touches of folk & acoustic singer-songwriters, ballads, soul, indie & more. Even while covering dozens of artists within various genres, they're like no one before or since.
They're Pearl Jam.
I am lost, I'm no guide, but I'm by your side. I am right by your side.
Here's my humble opinion. I've been a huge fan since 1992; started to see them live in 1996. I've traveled all around north america to see them in concert. Across 47 shows I've sat front row center a few times and have sat behind the stage in the last row in upper parts of arena.
I think many pearl jam fans expect too much. It is very evident that pearl jam plays what pearl jam wants to play. You can see that the vast majority of songs that they play live, the band is having fun playing these songs. In wisconsin it seemed like all the guys were the happiest on stage i've seen in years. Toronto, same thing.
In 2003 I went to 13 shows and got a little burnt of seeing pearl jam. Being in the northeast I felt like I had to go to as many shows in a 5hour proximity of my house as I could. From that experience, if you feel like you're tired of songs or are complaining of the set list, it's time to take a break. This is coming from a 10c member who is consistently in the first 20 rows on the floor. If you go to 2 shows in a week period and are complaining you heard just breathe twice, take a break. I saw just 2 shows this past tour (pj 20 nite 2 and toronto 1) and can say nearly every song sounded fresh and exciting. I really didn't care that I heard betterman or even my most dreaded song yellow ledbetter. Coming from someone that has over 200 bootlegs pre 2000 and has seen every tour live since 1996, pearl jam sounds better now than they ever have been. Enjoy the shows. They are not the grateful dead. They are not phish. They are not the Dave Matthews band (all i've seen live multiple times). It's ok to play the hits and thorw in an obscure song here and there. Wisconsin they could have played anything but when they played NAIS and Crown of Thorns in Toronto, the crowd kind of lost interest.
Honestly, how many people are repeats at multiple shows? Maybe 10% of the crowd?
Regardless of how hard you work, etc. you are in a very fortunate situation to be able to see them. A lot of people work very hard but have circumstances which range from logistics, to family, to unfortunate situations which do not allow it. This response oozes with entitlement. You sound so young american.
I don't think you understand what "entitlement" means. Not sure how a discussion on earning something by working hard can possibly lead someone to think "entitlement"?
Also, how does one sound "young American"? What does that actually mean? By the way, American should be capitalized… Maybe by the time you reach my age, you will learn that.
I'm privileged to say I've seen Pearl Jam three times in my life.
Once was the 2nd show at Alpine Valley in 1998 (Yield tour), another was the first show of two that they opened up for Tom Petty in Milwaukee in 2006 (came for the Jam - who only played about 15 songs - stayed for the Petty, who was joined by Eddie during "the Waiting"), and most recently in Vancouver just a few days ago.
Eddie, Matt, Mike, Jeff, Stone and Boom could come out on stage and perform Kate Bush and Linda Ronstadt covers for an hour - I'd still be as thrilled as if they played some of my favorite songs!
Here's the thing... 20 years, man. 20 YEARS!
I'm 32 and a bunch of my favorite bands have gone away in the last 20 years. Some of them simply broke up, some band members sadly passed away or moved on to something else. But Pearl Jam found the formula and is still here. STILL HERE! It's really special and extremely rare for someone to say, "Yeah, man. My favorite band is still playing today and they're playing BETTER now than they ever have." Don't complain! Be thankful!
It is such a pleasure to say I've seen Pearl Jam thrice. Their sets are tailor made for each crowd. Every show is unique. Every show is special. Every song I've seen/heard them play live is a dancer, man. Every song is a sing along. It can't be a "bad set" when you love all of their music. There are few bands that really give to their fans - Pearl Jam is one of 'em.
To those who complain that they "didn't play this" or "they didn't play that"... You'll get your chance to hear it some day. Go back again and again as often as you can when the opportunity arises. Be grateful. Some day the only thing we'll all have are recordings and memories.
Thanks.
6/27/98 - East Troy, WI
6/29/06 - Milwaukee, WI
9/25/11 - Vancouver, BC
11/4/12 - (Eddie Vedder) Phoenix, AZ
11/1/13 - New Orleans, LA
11/19/13 - Phoenix, AZ
11/21/13 - San Diego, CA
10/12/14 - Austin, TX
10/22/14 - Denver, CO
8/22/16 - Chicago, IL (Wrigley 2) 5/9/22 - Glendale, AZ 5/18/24 - Las Vegas, NV
I'm privileged to say I've seen Pearl Jam three times in my life.
Once was the 2nd show at Alpine Valley in 1998 (Yield tour), another was the first show of two that they opened up for Tom Petty in Milwaukee in 2006 (came for the Jam - who only played about 15 songs - stayed for the Petty, who was joined by Eddie during "the Waiting"), and most recently in Vancouver just a few days ago.
Eddie, Matt, Mike, Jeff, Stone and Boom could come out on stage and perform Kate Bush and Linda Ronstadt covers for an hour - I'd still be as thrilled as if they played some of my favorite songs!
Here's the thing... 20 years, man. 20 YEARS!
I'm 32 and a bunch of my favorite bands have gone away in the last 20 years. Some of them simply broke up, some band members sadly passed away or moved on to something else. But Pearl Jam found the formula and is still here. STILL HERE! It's really special and extremely rare for someone to say, "Yeah, man. My favorite band is still playing today and they're playing BETTER now than they ever have." Don't complain! Be thankful!
It is such a pleasure to say I've seen Pearl Jam thrice. Their sets are tailor made for each crowd. Every show is unique. Every show is special. Every song I've seen/heard them play live is a dancer, man. Every song is a sing along. It can't be a "bad set" when you love all of their music. There are few bands that really give to their fans - Pearl Jam is one of 'em.
To those who complain that they "didn't play this" or "they didn't play that"... You'll get your chance to hear it some day. Go back again and again as often as you can when the opportunity arises. Be grateful. Some day the only thing we'll all have are recordings and memories.
Let's not forget, others have worked every bit as hard to see Pearl Jam a couple of times. Not everybody has the disposable income to follow their favourite band as extensively when they tour. That doesn't mean that they are lesser fans. I've only seen Pearl Jam 9 times but every one of those shows held value to me. I'm just glad that after 20 years the band is still working as hard as possible to put on great shows. Not every show is going to be perfect.
I like this I have been so so fortunate to be able to attend 3 shows (should have been 4, but family emergencies happen ). I have been working my ass off since I was 13 - and still just scrape by. I am not complaining, I was brought up to work hard, and when I catch a break it's great, but life is what it is. I have sold things to be able to swing tickets to all 3 shows i have seen, and honestly, I think they could stand up there and play Alive 20 times in a row and i would still just be wide eyed in awe that I was *actually* at a Pearl Jam concert
My mantra after each show will always be the same; "That was amazing... I hope hope hope they can tour this way just one more time." It's really amazing to me what a difference good music can make to someone's life - it's like sunlight for the soul
So I am on the subway home after watching another amazing show on Sept. 11th and 4-5 other Pearl Jam fans sit next to my buddy and I and they spent the entire subway ride discussing what songs they thought Pearl Jam "should" have played. The one guy was discussing how he had gone to Montreal, was attending both Toronto shows, Ottawa and Hamilton and was either considering or attending Winnipeg.
I don't understand why after every show Pearl Jam plays you see all these posts of people whining and complaining that the band did not come out and play an entire show consisting of B-sides and rarities. The one fan made a comment that he doesn't understand why they always play Betterman, Alive and Black. He would be quite content if the band stopped playing the songs as he has heard them so many times.
I read a post recently of a member being upset that they played 6 songs on night #2 in Toronto that they played on night one. SIX SONGS! They played 58 songs in two nights and only 6 were played both nights. To me that is absolutely amazing!! To this poster he was pissed and disgusted that they closed the opening set with Porch both nights.
+1
at the show in calgary i overheard some PJ fans saying that the bands "owes" it to us to play more rarities etc.
i saw the last 12 PJ shows (alpine valley-cdn tour) and the setlists from night to night were some of the best the band has ever come up with.
these are the same people that were sitting down in row 2 at the vancouver show. its embarrassing, the sense of entitlement some of these "fans" have.
Pearl Jam plays in front of crowds of 15,000 to 20,000 people a show. A lot of those people are seeing them for the first time. Not everyone has the money, time or opportunity to follow the band and see multiple shows a tour. I remember the first time I heard Betterman, Alive and Black for the first time live and it blew me out of the water, something I will never forget and it is something that the fans in the building watching Pearl Jam for the fisrt time should have the chance to experience for themselves.
Maybe instead of whining about the setlist they played at your 101st concert you should sit back and be thankful you have been afforded the chance in life to see Pearl Jam that many times live.
Toronto 10-05-00 / Toronto 06-28-03 / Montreal 06-29-03 / Toronto 05-09-06 / Toronto 05-10-06 / London 08-18-09 / Cleveland 05-09-10 / Buffalo 05-10-10 / East Troy 09-03/11 / East Troy 09-04-11 / Montreal 09-07-11 / Toronto 09-11-11 / Toronto 10-11-11 / Ottawa 09-14-11 / Hamilton 09-15-11 / Winnipeg 09-17-11 / Saskatoon 09-19-11 / Calgary 09-21-11 / Edmonton 09-23-11 / Vancouver 09-25-11 / London 07-16-13 / Chicago 07-19-13 / Buffalo 10-12-2013 / Dallas 11-15-13 / Oklahoma City 11-16-13 / Milan 06-20-2014 / Trieste 06-22-14 / Vienna 06-25-14 / Berlin 06-26-14 / Stockholm 06-28-14 / Oslo 06-27-14 / Leeds 07-08-14 / Milton Keynes 07-11-14 / Seattle 08-08-18 / Seattle 08-10-18 / Missoula 08-13-18 / Oakland 05-12-22 / Oakland 05-13-22 / St. Paul 08-31-23 / St. Paul 09-02-23 / Vancouver 05-04-24 / Portland 05-10-24
EV Toronto 08-12-08 / Toronto 08-13-08 / New York 06-21-11 / New York 06-22-11
well i'm 20 years old and have been listening to pearl jam since my teen years...so far i only had the opportunity to see pj live once... 'cause it's hard for me to get the money to travel to other countries where they play...but i'm never complaining, i'm just happy i had that one time and it was great , so what bugs me is when people and fans have so many opportunitys to see pearl jam live and have been to so many shows and yet they still complain...they don't even realize how lucky they are...
so i agree with you 100%, i just can't understand why all this complaining
i'm there with you. I've seen them 3 times but I could never make it when I was in my teens and younger because of my lack of money or job at the time. I understand many people will complain in one form or another; sometimes its a PJ vet and sometimes its a first timer, but I try to keep in mind that you never know when the band won't be anymore so you just gotta be grateful for the opportunity to see them at all. I doubt PJ will ever give a crowd a stock show. Like the OP said, 6 outta 58 songs is nothing to get pissed over. its better than seeing a two night show and getting the same set and performance each night.
Comments
Except they do play a lot of songs. That was the original point. There were only five or six repeats in Toronto, which is amazing.
i don't either. i'm just saying that if they played more rarities it would have to be a fan club show.
I agree with this. I like when the rarities are played for a particular reason. Undone in Boston 2010 as a tribute to Howard Zinn is a great example.
"...I changed by not changing at all..."
or asking U2 to not play One, with or without you, Bad, or Where the streets have no name
Or asking the Rolling Stones to stop playing Satisfaction, Under my thumb, and Honky Tonk woman
just not going to happen
I for one enjoyed seeing/hearing so many different songs in Toronto. But was also ok with the repeats.
Bugs would be the shizzle
http://www.supermansammyz.blogspot.com
While that does happen at all the shows my major complaint as a long time 10club member is all the tall dudes in front of me for both of the Toronto shows.
Really? All those people with lower member numbers are all over 6 feet? Seems like a conspiracy to me'
Like the seat allocation is rigged!! :roll:
Seeing the band 30-40 times has absolutely nothing to do with 10C number and seat location. I've seen them 45 times and am lucky to sniff the 20th row.
If PJ wanted to play a rarities setlist and everyone left, it would be the best thing ever. How good of a time I have is not dependant on whether everyone else is having a good time or not. In fact the other people at concerts only detract from the experience. Texting, drinking too much, cigarettes, doing drugs, etc., only detract from my experience. I know it is "selfish" of me to not want other people to engage in activities that affect those around them, while I just stand there and enjoy the music.
Really?
I would think that this sort of show would kill the mood for both the audience and the band. When I go to see Pearl Jam I appreciate that the crowd is into it. I can't imagine the band being into a show where the audience is literally running to the exits.
they don't for the same reasons why they go on stage on time pretty much every night and that they don't cancel shows cuz someone is fucking blitzed from the night before ... they are professionals and hard working musicians ... they understand that the majority of the crowd are not going to know their entire catalogue and that even within the 10C seats ... there are many who are bringing their partner and may not be die hards as well ... they play those "hits" because they feel obligated to ... everyone for the most part shells out the same amount and just because you want to hear certain songs and not hear certain songs is irrelevant to the band ...
having said that - yeah, you have a right to complain ... but just realize that when you do - you come across as a spoiled fan with entitlement issues ...
I kinda do, yes. I think they play many songs that they enjoy and I also think they enjoy having a large catalog of rarities. It adds to the mystique of their live show.
"...I changed by not changing at all..."
I personally would LOVE a show that was all rarities (like Alpine 1 or the Vic or something), but I know its not going to happen. I'm not going to go and complain if they don't play 10 rarities!
I still believe very much though that the band makes a fortune off of traveling fans who go to multiple shows and buy every piece of merch they can. I think that is why people expect diverse sets with rarities. Its a definite give and take - the band does such a great job mixing it up that it creates more people going to more shows who expect it. If they played close to the same set every night, how many of us are going to more than 1-2 shows in a tour? I probably would never travel for a show if that was the case, and I think they know it although I could obviously be overthinking it. But you know the TC has stats like that available to look at (people who travel, etc).
I get both sides...strictly speaking I would not want to hear Alive or Even Flow at tonight's show but only because I have heard them each concert before. However, I wouldn't complain about it like I think the band had wronged me and I would still sing along and move to it (while embarassing myself of course) - that is simply my personal preference
On the other hand, I am also a fan of Tool and if you see one show from them, you have basically seen them all because like most other bands their setlist remains the same each night with maybe one or two different songs and Maynard hiding behind in the shadows (I know, it's his schtick)
I think the point is what many of you have been saying - have your opinions and voice them but don't make it appear as those PJ presents this static concert each night. There is more than enough variation to make most people happy which is for what I am sure they aim.
Anyway, that's my two cents...here's to hoping tonight's show rocks like always
Regardless of how hard you work, etc. you are in a very fortunate situation to be able to see them. A lot of people work very hard but have circumstances which range from logistics, to family, to unfortunate situations which do not allow it. This response oozes with entitlement. You sound so young american.
This^
They love their standards/classics. I mean, simply watch Ed during the Better Man singalong wearing all that emotion on his face...or Mike's passionate head-tilt as he stretches out the solo to Even Flow...or Jeff & Stone grooving during the Porch jam...or everyone, both band and audience, so full of joy and an electric spirit during the entirety of Alive.
If they were a jam band like Phish or Widespread Panic, they could and would play a completely different set each night. If they were a classic radio rock band like the aforementioned U2, they would play all of their hits in the same or a very similar order and only change a song or two each night. If they were a modern indie rock band like Arcade Fire, they would play their sets with some variation in song choices and order, but play those songs close to the exact same way every time.
They simultaneously combine everything above and shirk everything above because they are the most complete and unique live act on the planet. They don't have to follow anyone's plan but their own. If they fit in with any of the above artists, their human stage presence would likely be dominated by a video or light show, and/or they would be boring to watch. Instead, there is barely any visual adornment onstage (what little there is is distinctly human in nature, such as Ed's composition notebook & bottles). They cover nearly the entire spectrum of the history of rock, integrating rockabilly, blues, punk, garage, anthemic pop-rock, hard rock/metal, funk, jam, soft touches of folk & acoustic singer-songwriters, ballads, soul, indie & more. Even while covering dozens of artists within various genres, they're like no one before or since.
They're Pearl Jam.
I am right by your side.
I think many pearl jam fans expect too much. It is very evident that pearl jam plays what pearl jam wants to play. You can see that the vast majority of songs that they play live, the band is having fun playing these songs. In wisconsin it seemed like all the guys were the happiest on stage i've seen in years. Toronto, same thing.
In 2003 I went to 13 shows and got a little burnt of seeing pearl jam. Being in the northeast I felt like I had to go to as many shows in a 5hour proximity of my house as I could. From that experience, if you feel like you're tired of songs or are complaining of the set list, it's time to take a break. This is coming from a 10c member who is consistently in the first 20 rows on the floor. If you go to 2 shows in a week period and are complaining you heard just breathe twice, take a break. I saw just 2 shows this past tour (pj 20 nite 2 and toronto 1) and can say nearly every song sounded fresh and exciting. I really didn't care that I heard betterman or even my most dreaded song yellow ledbetter. Coming from someone that has over 200 bootlegs pre 2000 and has seen every tour live since 1996, pearl jam sounds better now than they ever have been. Enjoy the shows. They are not the grateful dead. They are not phish. They are not the Dave Matthews band (all i've seen live multiple times). It's ok to play the hits and thorw in an obscure song here and there. Wisconsin they could have played anything but when they played NAIS and Crown of Thorns in Toronto, the crowd kind of lost interest.
Honestly, how many people are repeats at multiple shows? Maybe 10% of the crowd?
Enjoy Pearl Jam for who they are.
I don't think you understand what "entitlement" means. Not sure how a discussion on earning something by working hard can possibly lead someone to think "entitlement"?
Also, how does one sound "young American"? What does that actually mean? By the way, American should be capitalized… Maybe by the time you reach my age, you will learn that.
I am right by your side.
Once was the 2nd show at Alpine Valley in 1998 (Yield tour), another was the first show of two that they opened up for Tom Petty in Milwaukee in 2006 (came for the Jam - who only played about 15 songs - stayed for the Petty, who was joined by Eddie during "the Waiting"), and most recently in Vancouver just a few days ago.
Eddie, Matt, Mike, Jeff, Stone and Boom could come out on stage and perform Kate Bush and Linda Ronstadt covers for an hour - I'd still be as thrilled as if they played some of my favorite songs!
Here's the thing... 20 years, man. 20 YEARS!
I'm 32 and a bunch of my favorite bands have gone away in the last 20 years. Some of them simply broke up, some band members sadly passed away or moved on to something else. But Pearl Jam found the formula and is still here. STILL HERE! It's really special and extremely rare for someone to say, "Yeah, man. My favorite band is still playing today and they're playing BETTER now than they ever have." Don't complain! Be thankful!
It is such a pleasure to say I've seen Pearl Jam thrice. Their sets are tailor made for each crowd. Every show is unique. Every show is special. Every song I've seen/heard them play live is a dancer, man. Every song is a sing along. It can't be a "bad set" when you love all of their music. There are few bands that really give to their fans - Pearl Jam is one of 'em.
To those who complain that they "didn't play this" or "they didn't play that"... You'll get your chance to hear it some day. Go back again and again as often as you can when the opportunity arises. Be grateful. Some day the only thing we'll all have are recordings and memories.
Thanks.
6/29/06 - Milwaukee, WI
9/25/11 - Vancouver, BC
11/4/12 - (Eddie Vedder) Phoenix, AZ
11/1/13 - New Orleans, LA
11/19/13 - Phoenix, AZ
11/21/13 - San Diego, CA
10/12/14 - Austin, TX
10/22/14 - Denver, CO
8/22/16 - Chicago, IL (Wrigley 2)
5/9/22 - Glendale, AZ
5/18/24 - Las Vegas, NV
I like this
My mantra after each show will always be the same; "That was amazing... I hope hope hope they can tour this way just one more time." It's really amazing to me what a difference good music can make to someone's life - it's like sunlight for the soul
~ Edmonton, AB 2005
~ Winnipeg, MB 2011
EV
Toronto 08-12-08 / Toronto 08-13-08 / New York 06-21-11 / New York 06-22-11
i'm there with you. I've seen them 3 times but I could never make it when I was in my teens and younger because of my lack of money or job at the time. I understand many people will complain in one form or another; sometimes its a PJ vet and sometimes its a first timer, but I try to keep in mind that you never know when the band won't be anymore so you just gotta be grateful for the opportunity to see them at all. I doubt PJ will ever give a crowd a stock show. Like the OP said, 6 outta 58 songs is nothing to get pissed over. its better than seeing a two night show and getting the same set and performance each night.