The decision to fly to Italy to see Pearl Jam in my home country (and home town) was one of the best I've ever taken . I knew right when I bought the 10c tickets in May that I had to compromise with the number of shows, and I was at peace with doing Milan (my hometown) and Verona (the arena... wow). Pistoia unfortunately was out of the question because of work.
Fast forward to Friday night... when I walked from my hotel one block from Piazza Bra into the square and saw the arena... illuminated. It really hit me there. I'm going to see them and they will be in there, and the whole town will get to experience this background of amazing music for its own amazing beauty. We sat around the fountain and I started savoring what was to come. The morning was spent visiting the town and having a spectacular lunch. I was afraid I'd miss the soundcheck, but I didn't. I went out to get my 10c tickets a little after 3:30, when they had said they'd be distributed. I stood in line with some very very geeky North Americans, who were up to speed with the whole Grand Rapids tickets affair, and when exactly Black Red and Yellow had been played (of course I'm up to speed with that too ).
We got to hear a long part of the sound check... Immortality twice, MFC, Gone, Parachutes, Can't Keep... No one was showing up to distribute the tickets though, so after an hour or so I let myself be distracted by the other line, for the posters and merchandise. I went over there. Sadly, I could not make out the other songs being checked from there, but I got to hang out with a cool New Zealander and two Italian fans. And got myself not a big wave, but a poster and a crossed boards tshirt.
As I walked back to the hotel, I checked the place where the meetup was going to be. I'm pretty sure it was D2D and HH seated at the long table, but fuck me I was too shy to walk up :(
Then all hell broke lose... it rained really really hard for a couple of hours and I was devastated. We walked to the arena after pizza and finally got the tickets. I could not believe I was going to be in sixth row. We waited in the hallways for a while since no one was playing and it was raining really hard. Finally we walked to our seats. Unfortunately, there was still a big space between first row and the stage (I had heard about that for the 2000 show), but still I was there, and closer than I had ever been. MMJ came out and the sound was incredible. I think I saw Jill either before they played or immediately after. Man... she is a skinny, not little, b.... eautiful and lucky woman . There was another woman with a child about Olivia's age during MMJ's set, but it didn't look like her.
Well, then they came out. I had been to 5 shows in the past year, and had bitched here about never having heard Release. Given the rain I thought shit... they'll open with Wash or Inside Job or something. I heard the first notes... had not thought about "I see the birds in the rain" . And there it was... of course it wasn't the rain reference. It was that Eddie had read about my bitching and my flying from the US to see them in Italy and wanted to make me happy . I cried like a fucking baby. The song means the world to me. The only minor distraction was a security guard who was trying to say something to my husband and left pissed off. We realized later he thought he was standing on the chair (he is 7 feet tall ). Back to the show. I could not believe how perfect the sound was... I had always seen them indoors. It was just something I can't put in words... better than anything I've ever heard.
Also, how silly of me to worry about the rain. Of course once they started playing I forgot all about it... my hood fell down from the jumping and I didn't think about pulling it back on until after a few songs, when it had filled with water :rolleyes:
They played three of my favorite songs among the first three... but really I didn't care about the setlist... anything would have sounded perfect in that atmosphere. And Eddie was so happy, with his cute little Italian, telling us how cute we looked in the rain. I was happy that they played Gone (hubby's favorite from the new album) and Elderly woman (one of his favorites) since it was his first show. Half full was a first for me and I loved it.
The first encore was great. Hubby was really moved by Come Back (also a first live for me), and I lost it at I believe in Miracles (yet another first). "Bye Verona" had us laughing like crazy. And it was great to see how excited people (and not just the casual fans) still get in Europe. RITFW was unbelievable. ALMOST EVERYONE on the floor actually had their back to the band, cause the real show was around them. The crowd was jumping and singing and the energy was spectacular.
Ledbetter was also a treat, with Mike playing it sitting down on the edge of the stage. It was so appropriate, cause in a way it did feel like friends playing for friends in an intimate yet very noisy and energetic atmosphere. He tried to play a part while lying down but it didn't work out
Have I gone over the maximum post length yet?
... and the will to show I will always be better than before.
As I walked back to the hotel, I checked the place where the meetup was going to be. I'm pretty sure it was D2D and HH seated at the long table, but fuck me I was too shy to walk up :(
:eek: What the fuck???????? You were too shy to come over? nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! I was wondering where you'd got to. You'd know me cos for the rest of the night after the concert I was wearing my flag
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
:eek: What the fuck???????? You were too shy to come over? nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! I was wondering where you'd got to. You'd know me cos for the rest of the night after the concert I was wearing my flag
I didn't see the flag but... was it you guys? Were you and dream seated at opposite ends of the table, she was looking towards the fountain and you were looking towards the restaurant? :(
I'm a fucking idiot.
... and the will to show I will always be better than before.
I didn't see the flag but... was it you guys? Were you and dream seated at opposite ends of the table, she was looking towards the fountain and you were looking towards the restaurant? :(
I'm a fucking idiot.
Yep well I'd my back to the fountain at the end corner of the table. She was the other side of the table alright . I did have my flag and she was wearing black
Ohhhhhhhh meme :(
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Some more fans from Zagreb who did the Verona experience (bok djerdap, cu in zagreb! )
Verona - an amazing concert, a great setlist, incredible crowd, rain which poured, making the experience even more beautiful (if at all possible), guys playing their heads off, the crowd singing like crazy, overall, PERFECT!
We especially loved what Ed did with his tambourines! One ended up in the hands of a young pregnant lady and the other one he threw right in the hands of a disabled young girl in a wheelchair. We saw that one really well because we were just a couple rows behind her - he came right up to the edge of the stage, pointed his finger at her to show that the tambourine was for her, gave her an amazing smile and threw the tambourine to her! We all know that Ed is a great person, but this was truly beautiful!
So, Bologna and Verona down, Vienna and Zagreb to go! Sooooooooo, can't wait!
Oh yeah... I forgot to say that a guy two seats from me got Matt's drumstick. I literally jumped over my husband to get it (he is blind, couldn't figure out what was going on and had a marked WTF expression on his face). My left thigh is one big gigantic bluemark as I bumped into the metal chair :(
Helen, I know, I'd kick myself...
... and the will to show I will always be better than before.
Oh yeah... I forgot to say that a guy two seats from me got Matt's drumstick. I literally jumped over my husband to get it (he is blind, couldn't figure out what was going on and had a marked WTF expression on his face). My left thigh is one big gigantic bluemark as I bumped into the metal chair :(
Nah, it just means you have to come over for the Irish tour next year . Think I convinced all the girls to come over anyway
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
God, your pics are great! You were so close to them...congratulations!
I was there too, and it was the greatest night of my life...I have a video too that I want to share with all of you, a video very similar to the one by TheLowlight..infact it's the same moment during the performing of Alive, but from my pont of view...the point of view of the so lucky girl who could hold tight Eddie's hand..:°°°°°°°° I still don't believe it..he seemed to come to me, I know it isn't, but let me dream!!
The feelings I had when he looked into my eyes and gave me his hand, I'll never forgot...
Even though I had a bad position to see the concert, and the rain and wind gave me some difficulties, it was a great concert..wonderful set list, wonderful sight of the Arena and its coloured audience..
I'm so sorry to not have had the possibility to see the other concerts in Milan and Bologna..:°° what a shame!
Well, here is the video..sorry for my screams in it but I was so excited! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN386lUYOpQ
I didn’t get that wet the last time I went swimming…
Or
And I thought the Forum was an old building…
Or
Ooh my little pretty one, pretty one...
I may have a new favorite cover
Seriously…a truly amazing concert. Gone has been the track in my head lately and the 1/2 Full, Gone, Not For You, Grievance combo just kicked ass….Then they launched into the intro for Marker and the locals around me went even more nuts…so cool to see the Italians have such good taste in music… Jeremy, WR, Better Man, and Blood...exclamation point. And the encores took it to another level from there…Unreal, and the pouring of rain just added to the show.
There is no venue quite like the Arena Di Verona. I just got back from Italy last night and I can't get it out of my head. The Palamalaguti in Bologna is another hot basketball gym too far outside of a city. The Arena is a gift from the past. You can't describe the place in words. If your wondering why the band chose Italy for the next DVD, then you have never seen the Arena. The pre-game, sipping Italian wine at an outdoor cafe listening to an hour plus PJ soundcheck, was worth the trip. The rains came and went. PJ gave the Arena the show it deserved. Thanks to the 10c for the front row seats. Thanks to the crew member who gave my wife the Ed pick. Thanks to fellow boarders who have posted their pictures. Good to meet fellow 10c members from the states and abroad.
1/95 DC, 7/95 Chicago, 9/95 Austin, 9/96 Columbia, 10/96 Charlotte, Charleston, 9/98 Va Bch, Columbia, 8/00 Va Bch., 9/00 Columbia, 7/03 Bristow, 10/04 Asheville, DC, 5/06 DC, 9/06 Bologna, Verona, 4/08 Ed in Santa Cruz, 6/08 Columbia, SC, Va. Bch, 6/22 and 8/08 Ed in DC.
God, your pics are great! You were so close to them...congratulations!
I was there too, and it was the greatest night of my life...I have a video too that I want to share with all of you, a video very similar to the one by TheLowlight..infact it's the same moment during the performing of Alive, but from my pont of view...the point of view of the so lucky girl who could hold tight Eddie's hand..:°°°°°°°° I still don't believe it..he seemed to come to me, I know it isn't, but let me dream!!
The feelings I had when he looked into my eyes and gave me his hand, I'll never forgot...
Even though I had a bad position to see the concert, and the rain and wind gave me some difficulties, it was a great concert..wonderful set list, wonderful sight of the Arena and its coloured audience..
I'm so sorry to not have had the possibility to see the other concerts in Milan and Bologna..:°° what a shame!
Well, here is the video..sorry for my screams in it but I was so excited! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN386lUYOpQ
I want to blog more than I do but I still have to do a Dublin and an Astoria one :rolleyes: but yesterday I just thought fuck it, it has to be done.
Now you know why you two confuse me with your names
Oh the girl that held Eds hand :eek:
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Fraser is Mowgli.... after a fancy dress evening that went a wee bit far.....
Don't ALL Frasers evenings go a wee bit far?
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
I'm just thinking now me and him shoulda swapped flags and got a pic cos we were slagging eachothers flags all night
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Definitely, you promised me a bed and a guided tour of Amsterdam
And I think I promised something similar well if I didn't I am now anyway.
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Yeah.... head over... me and fraser will show you amsterdam....
Cool, thanks, well it's looking like London's next on my list for the halloween weekend - probably booking it tomorrow. After that, ya never know! Maybe before the end of the year. I'm really loving all these weekends away now
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Fucking incredible show!!! Although, I do have one question...
Helen, was that you that dropped that massive glass of beer in one of the restaurantes over from the arena the night before? Wasn't sure if it was you or not... we could have talked Dan Carter over a pint of 6.
Fucking incredible show!!! Although, I do have one question...
Helen, was that you that dropped that massive glass of beer in one of the restaurantes over from the arena the night before? Wasn't sure if it was you or not... we could have talked Dan Carter over a pint of 6.
Oh fuck off! Lol, it wasn't me, it was Dan! Was that when we were moving a table and one of the drinks fell off?
Lol, dammit, you shoulda said something! I could talk Dan Carter all night
The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Comments
Great pics. Thanks for sharing !
*** "After silence, that wich comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is Music" ***(Aldous Huxley)
*** http://br.youtube.com/Pearl10 ***
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=15fccw71.1w8nxh8d&Uy=-wxnu0l&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&UV=47537914069_365182031405
The decision to fly to Italy to see Pearl Jam in my home country (and home town) was one of the best I've ever taken
Fast forward to Friday night... when I walked from my hotel one block from Piazza Bra into the square and saw the arena... illuminated. It really hit me there. I'm going to see them and they will be in there, and the whole town will get to experience this background of amazing music for its own amazing beauty. We sat around the fountain and I started savoring what was to come. The morning was spent visiting the town and having a spectacular lunch. I was afraid I'd miss the soundcheck, but I didn't. I went out to get my 10c tickets a little after 3:30, when they had said they'd be distributed. I stood in line with some very very geeky North Americans, who were up to speed with the whole Grand Rapids tickets affair, and when exactly Black Red and Yellow had been played (of course I'm up to speed with that too
We got to hear a long part of the sound check... Immortality twice, MFC, Gone, Parachutes, Can't Keep... No one was showing up to distribute the tickets though, so after an hour or so I let myself be distracted by the other line, for the posters and merchandise. I went over there. Sadly, I could not make out the other songs being checked from there, but I got to hang out with a cool New Zealander and two Italian fans. And got myself not a big wave, but a poster and a crossed boards tshirt.
As I walked back to the hotel, I checked the place where the meetup was going to be. I'm pretty sure it was D2D and HH seated at the long table, but fuck me I was too shy to walk up :(
Then all hell broke lose... it rained really really hard for a couple of hours and I was devastated. We walked to the arena after pizza and finally got the tickets. I could not believe I was going to be in sixth row. We waited in the hallways for a while since no one was playing and it was raining really hard. Finally we walked to our seats. Unfortunately, there was still a big space between first row and the stage (I had heard about that for the 2000 show), but still I was there, and closer than I had ever been. MMJ came out and the sound was incredible. I think I saw Jill either before they played or immediately after. Man... she is a skinny, not little, b.... eautiful and lucky woman
Well, then they came out. I had been to 5 shows in the past year, and had bitched here about never having heard Release. Given the rain I thought shit... they'll open with Wash or Inside Job or something. I heard the first notes... had not thought about "I see the birds in the rain"
Also, how silly of me to worry about the rain. Of course once they started playing I forgot all about it... my hood fell down from the jumping and I didn't think about pulling it back on until after a few songs, when it had filled with water :rolleyes:
They played three of my favorite songs among the first three... but really I didn't care about the setlist... anything would have sounded perfect in that atmosphere. And Eddie was so happy, with his cute little Italian, telling us how cute we looked in the rain. I was happy that they played Gone (hubby's favorite from the new album) and Elderly woman (one of his favorites) since it was his first show. Half full was a first for me and I loved it.
The first encore was great. Hubby was really moved by Come Back (also a first live for me), and I lost it at I believe in Miracles (yet another first). "Bye Verona" had us laughing like crazy. And it was great to see how excited people (and not just the casual fans) still get in Europe. RITFW was unbelievable. ALMOST EVERYONE on the floor actually had their back to the band, cause the real show was around them. The crowd was jumping and singing and the energy was spectacular.
Ledbetter was also a treat, with Mike playing it sitting down on the edge of the stage. It was so appropriate, cause in a way it did feel like friends playing for friends in an intimate yet very noisy and energetic atmosphere. He tried to play a part while lying down but it didn't work out
Have I gone over the maximum post length yet?
:eek: What the fuck???????? You were too shy to come over?
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
I didn't see the flag but... was it you guys? Were you and dream seated at opposite ends of the table, she was looking towards the fountain and you were looking towards the restaurant? :(
I'm a fucking idiot.
Ohhhhhhhh meme :(
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Oh yeah... I forgot to say that a guy two seats from me got Matt's drumstick. I literally jumped over my husband to get it (he is blind, couldn't figure out what was going on and had a marked WTF expression on his face). My left thigh is one big gigantic bluemark as I bumped into the metal chair :(
Helen, I know, I'd kick myself...
Nah, it just means you have to come over for the Irish tour next year
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
I was wondering how long it would take to bring that up
'the proper adult ostriches'
Oh you're mentioned in here once or twice:
http://blog.myspace.com/heinekenhelen
Verona blog up.
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Nice that someone else blogs their experiences... I'm too snowed under to catch up with mine... Fraser's is here:
http://mowglismishaps.blogspot.com
All these powerbooks look the same...
I was there too, and it was the greatest night of my life...I have a video too that I want to share with all of you, a video very similar to the one by TheLowlight..infact it's the same moment during the performing of Alive, but from my pont of view...the point of view of the so lucky girl who could hold tight Eddie's hand..:°°°°°°°° I still don't believe it..he seemed to come to me, I know it isn't, but let me dream!!
The feelings I had when he looked into my eyes and gave me his hand, I'll never forgot...
Even though I had a bad position to see the concert, and the rain and wind gave me some difficulties, it was a great concert..wonderful set list, wonderful sight of the Arena and its coloured audience..
I'm so sorry to not have had the possibility to see the other concerts in Milan and Bologna..:°° what a shame!
Well, here is the video..sorry for my screams in it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN386lUYOpQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNSy1jnun38
Or
And I thought the Forum was an old building…
Or
Ooh my little pretty one, pretty one...
I may have a new favorite cover
Seriously…a truly amazing concert. Gone has been the track in my head lately and the 1/2 Full, Gone, Not For You, Grievance combo just kicked ass….Then they launched into the intro for Marker and the locals around me went even more nuts…so cool to see the Italians have such good taste in music… Jeremy, WR, Better Man, and Blood...exclamation point. And the encores took it to another level from there…Unreal, and the pouring of rain just added to the show.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v627/ggatta/verona06/?sc=1&addtype=local
These are nice meme!
I want to blog more than I do but I still have to do a Dublin and an Astoria one :rolleyes: but yesterday I just thought fuck it, it has to be done.
Now you know why you two confuse me with your names
Oh the girl that held Eds hand :eek:
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Painted brown in a pair of orange y-fronts and nothing else in november... on public transport:
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2055/761/1600/IMG_1319.jpg
I'm just thinking now me and him shoulda swapped flags and got a pic cos we were slagging eachothers flags all night
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
And I think I promised something similar
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Helen, was that you that dropped that massive glass of beer in one of the restaurantes over from the arena the night before?
Lol, dammit, you shoulda said something! I could talk Dan Carter all night
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you