I don't think it's changed too much.. I've only seen PJ in Europe, but here the fans are still intensely into the music from start to finish.. from Alive to Bee Girl.. from the first row to the last row.. the atmosphere is still second to none
same, I've only ever seen pearl jam in Europe and I've never been disappointed. if I ever start getting sick of hearing certain pearl jam songs that will be when I pack it all in, really don't think that's ever gonna happen tbh
I get what the OP is saying.
At times Pjs performances do seem a bit more mechanical. I think it comes from playing all those festivals. Everything has to be well timed and there are certain songs that have been played so much by now.
I find that it depends on the night. You never can predict when it all comes together, venue, crowd, band, setlist.
They still put 100% into every performance though. There is no such thing as a bad PJ show. Trying to recapture the excitement of that special or small venue show that occurred in the past is a waste of time.
I think entitlement is a major factor here. I remember when people were just excited to see shows, irrespective of the setlist. Now shows in certain cities (Chicago, Seattle, Philly, NY, Boston etc.) are so overhyped that everybody goes in expecting to hear a plethora of rarities and 35+ songs, billing the show as 'epic' before the band even hits the stage. With this upcoming tour I expect the Brooklyn, Seattle and Philly shows to be massively overhyped for months. Also, Is it just me or is declaring Even Flow or Jeremy a 'pee break' some sort of badge of honour amongst hardcore fans these days? I just don't get it.
Most of the shows I've been to have been low key with fairly standard set lists and I couldn't be happier. Nobody expects a crazy setlist going into Pittsburg, Hartford or Buffalo yet these shows often turn into sleeper hits, driven by a great and enthusiastic crowd. This is one thing I notice when listening to some of the European/South American boots. The set lists are often very straightforward but the energy and enthusiasm coming from the band and the crows is unreal.
It has to do with people seeing multiple shows on tours. Used to be really hard to get a ticket and one show in your area. You were really lucky to hear a certain song you wanted. Now if people don't get that song(s) they see 2-3 more shows and usually get it. Shows now are more polished, whereas back in say 1993-1995 it was about raw energy and rocking. I caught a little of the poster bug in 2006, but really there is only so much wall space, and framing is expensive. It's nice to have a memento from a show, but it really should be the bootleg. $250 for a resold poster on Ebay?, $75 for a shirt? $40 for a pack of 6 cards? That's the cost of missing out..so people wait in line for hours. Used to be just the stickman or choices shirt lol. But the actual communal experience of the show is better than ever. The other stuff adds to the experience..but the meat and bones is on the stage when the lights go down.
Bridge Benefit 1994, San Francisco 1995, San Diego 1995 1 & 2, Missoula 1998, Los Angeles 2000, San Diego 2000, Eddie Vedder/Beck 2/26/2002, Santa Barbara 2003, Irvine 2003, San Diego 2003, Vancouver 2005, Gorge 2005, San Diego 2006, Los Angeles 2006 1 & 2, Santa Barbara 2006, Eddie Vedder 4/10/08, Eddie Vedder 4/12/08, Eddie Vedder 4/15/08, 7/12/2008, SF 8/28/09, LA 9/30/09, LA 10/1/09, LA 10/06/09, LA 10/07/09, San Diego 10/09/09, Eddie Vedder 7/6/2011, Eddie Vedder 7/8/2011, PJ20 9/3/2011, PJ20 9/4/2011, Vancouver 9/25/2011, San Diego 11/21/13, LA 11/24/13, Ohana 9/25/21, Ohana 9/26/21, Ohana 10/1/21, EV 2/17/22, LA Forum 5/6/22, LA Forum 5/7/22, EV 10/1/22, EV 9/30/23
Now they have more "sing-alongs", the crowd anticipation is higher than in the 90s or during the Binaural tour.
It would be great to listen Black, Betterman, etc. with no sing-along once again.
Jun 05, 1992; Nov 04, 1996; Jun 09, 2000; Jun 26, 2000; Aug 29 2006, Sep 16, 2006; Sep 23, 2006; Sep 25, 2006; Sep 30, 2006; Jun 12, 2007; Jun 13, 2007; Jun 18, 2007; Jun 21, 2007; Jun 26, 2007; Jun 28, 2007; Jun 17, 2008; Jun 19, 2008; Jun 20; 2008; Jun 22, 2008; Jun 24, 2008; Jun 25, 2008; Aug 13, 2009; Aug 15; 2009; Aug 18, 2009; Oct 06, 2009; Oct 07, 2009; Oct 09, 2009; Jun 22; 2010; Jun 23, 2010; Jun 25, 2010; Jun 30, 2010; Sept 03, 2011; Sept 04, 2011; Sept 07, 2011; Sept 14, 2011; Sept 15, 2011; Jun 20 2012; Jun 21 2012; Jun 26 2012; Jun 27 2012; Jul 02 2012; Jul 04 2012; Jul 05 2012; Jul 07 2012; Jul 09 2012; Jul 10 2012; Oct 15 2013; Oct 16 2013; Oct 18 2013; Oct 19 2013; Oct 21 2013; Oct 22 2013; Jun 16 2014; Jun 17 2014; Jun 20 2014; Jun 22 2014; Jun 25 2014; Jun 26 2014; Jul 11 2014; Nov 14 2015; Nov 17 2015; Nov 20 2015; Nov 22 2015; Apr 16 2016; Apr 18 2016; Apr 20 2016; Apr 21 2016
I agree with the OP. Setlist shirts? Come on. 4 posters? Selling merch two days before the show to people who dont even have a ticket and just want to sell it on EBay? It's sickening. All that matters is money. The show is still great, but it's not the same. Early 90's Eddie would slap the shit out of this guy now.
So tell me what your alternative is to try to sell merchandise to 43,000? Just have them up for sale at the few stands they have there starting at 530pm 2 hrs before the show? That sure sounds like a recipe for a stampede.
They gave people multiple opportunities, you know, thinking about the fans.
I agree with you that they at least tried to give people multiple opportunities to buy merch before hand however the merchandise was available to anyone and everyone that walked by when it should of only been for ticket holders.
Now they have more "sing-alongs", the crowd anticipation is higher than in the 90s or during the Binaural tour.
It would be great to listen Black, Betterman, etc. with no sing-along once again.
10-26-91 Cleveland
4-2-92
7-29-92
5-4-95 Hovercraft / Cleveland
8-26-98
4-25-03
5-20-06
8-21-08 E.V. Chicago
10-31-09 Philadelphia
5-09-10 Cleveland
5-10-10 Buffalo
6-26-11 E.V. Detroit
10-11-13 Pittsburgh
10-12-13 Buffalo
10-29-13 Charlottesville
4-18-16 Hampton
8-22-16 Chicago
Sitting in the 200 section at Wrigley Field, I felt that everyone around me was standing with their arms crossed! There were a few girls jamming out and DEFINITELY my sister, my niece, & I were shaking our asses, but a lot of people were sitting down or just standing and looking bored. It really bugs me to be that far away and hanging out with these people who COMPLETELY isolate themselves from the show. Oh, we're too far away to dance or sing or to have a good time. WAAHH! I don't care where I sit, as long as I'm in the same building with my guys, hearing the songs that have defined my life. It did kinda suck that I was behind a pole, but my hubby (the greatest in the world, by the way), happily took my seat (not that we ever sat down ). I paid $55 per ticket and noticed via StubHub that the people in the row DIRECTLY BEHIND us paid $1000. First, I refuse to pay StubHub a penny because I do not support what they do & they drive ticket prices up, and second, if I paid $1000 for a seat, I would make sure I was dancing & singing & getting my money's worth. It is your choice to feel isolated. It is your choice to be a lameass downer. It was my 17 year old niece's first PJ show & I knew ahead of time that this was the experience she was going to get. She noticed it & was very surprised because she thought PJ fans were devoted & happy, fun-loving rockers. Oh yeah, pointing to the zombies sitting down, I told hubby, just you wait--the minute they play anything off of Ten, these guys will jump out of their seats. What do YOU think happened? :fp: I was thrilled to hear Unthought Known, Bugs, Leatherman, etc. This was one of the best shows I've ever been to, if not THE best. The personal connection to Ed with it being a dream come true for him, hangin' at Wrigley until 2 in the morning, taking my niece to her first PJ show, and taking my sister to her first PJ show in 13 years. It is what you make it.
PS: If you are buying bootlegs, get the South American ones where you can hear what a concert sounds like outside of America, where they aren't so demanding and so hard to please. LONG LIVE ROCK & ROLL!!
Once you hold the hand of love, it's all surmountable.
I heard Kid Rock is going to do a tour that is 20/20/4
$20 tickets
$20 shirts/posters
$4 beers
How can he do that and PJ cannot even come close? PJ must want more money nowadays
Kid Rock's following is no where near the level of PJ's. this is done probably to entice the average music fan to get out of the house for the night. I highly doubt a hardcore Kid Rock fan is traveling from Brooklyn to LA to go see him. Seriously, when was the last time you heard a Kid Rock song? Even more seriously, when was the last time you heard a Kid Rock song and didn't want to bash your brains in with a crowbar?
Hi, I host a Pearl Jam Podcast. We go back to some of the classic shows in their history and break down the entire setlist front to back. From historic perspective, to performances, to setlist construction, to fan stories. We do our best to capture the magic that is their live act and help you relive those memories, or if you weren't there, maybe turn you on to a show you've never heard before.
Live On 4 Legs can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify and any other major podcast platform. But please support our website and check out the episodes archived there. Oh, and the Concertpedia as well (for you Five Horizons and Two Feet Thick fans, we've picked up where they've left off)
i travel everywhere to see the band,for their music and for friends i made following pj..
i dont know why others do it,i like the reason im doing it
i dont care for merch..and the experience is amazing at the show and during tour
"...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
I heard Kid Rock is going to do a tour that is 20/20/4
$20 tickets
$20 shirts/posters
$4 beers
How can he do that and PJ cannot even come close? PJ must want more money nowadays
Kid Rock's following is no where near the level of PJ's. this is done probably to entice the average music fan to get out of the house for the night. I highly doubt a hardcore Kid Rock fan is traveling from Brooklyn to LA to go see him. Seriously, when was the last time you heard a Kid Rock song? Even more seriously, when was the last time you heard a Kid Rock song and didn't want to bash your brains in with a crowbar?
Truth. Kid Rock sucks.
I've been fortunate enough to see Pearl Jam live.
I am hanging in the balance of a perfect finished plan
Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand.
let's see the BAND has taken AWAY the 1st TWO ROWS (+ 9-10 ROWS) FROM US???? i thought this was DEMOCRATIC?? NA THE BAND JUST DOES THIS?? GO FIGURE.. i have NO PROBLEM WITH THIS BUT THEY COULD'VE ASKED US... :evil:
Comments
same, I've only ever seen pearl jam in Europe and I've never been disappointed. if I ever start getting sick of hearing certain pearl jam songs that will be when I pack it all in, really don't think that's ever gonna happen tbh
At times Pjs performances do seem a bit more mechanical. I think it comes from playing all those festivals. Everything has to be well timed and there are certain songs that have been played so much by now.
I find that it depends on the night. You never can predict when it all comes together, venue, crowd, band, setlist.
They still put 100% into every performance though. There is no such thing as a bad PJ show. Trying to recapture the excitement of that special or small venue show that occurred in the past is a waste of time.
Most of the shows I've been to have been low key with fairly standard set lists and I couldn't be happier. Nobody expects a crazy setlist going into Pittsburg, Hartford or Buffalo yet these shows often turn into sleeper hits, driven by a great and enthusiastic crowd. This is one thing I notice when listening to some of the European/South American boots. The set lists are often very straightforward but the energy and enthusiasm coming from the band and the crows is unreal.
It would be great to listen Black, Betterman, etc. with no sing-along once again.
I agree with you that they at least tried to give people multiple opportunities to buy merch before hand however the merchandise was available to anyone and everyone that walked by when it should of only been for ticket holders.
RM
4-2-92
7-29-92
5-4-95 Hovercraft / Cleveland
8-26-98
4-25-03
5-20-06
8-21-08 E.V. Chicago
10-31-09 Philadelphia
5-09-10 Cleveland
5-10-10 Buffalo
6-26-11 E.V. Detroit
10-11-13 Pittsburgh
10-12-13 Buffalo
10-29-13 Charlottesville
4-18-16 Hampton
8-22-16 Chicago
Why do you hate Capitalism?
PS: If you are buying bootlegs, get the South American ones where you can hear what a concert sounds like outside of America, where they aren't so demanding and so hard to please. LONG LIVE ROCK & ROLL!!
Kid Rock's following is no where near the level of PJ's. this is done probably to entice the average music fan to get out of the house for the night. I highly doubt a hardcore Kid Rock fan is traveling from Brooklyn to LA to go see him. Seriously, when was the last time you heard a Kid Rock song? Even more seriously, when was the last time you heard a Kid Rock song and didn't want to bash your brains in with a crowbar?
Live On 4 Legs can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify and any other major podcast platform. But please support our website and check out the episodes archived there. Oh, and the Concertpedia as well (for you Five Horizons and Two Feet Thick fans, we've picked up where they've left off)
http://liveon4legs.com
i dont know why others do it,i like the reason im doing it
i dont care for merch..and the experience is amazing at the show and during tour
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
Truth. Kid Rock sucks.
I am hanging in the balance of a perfect finished plan
Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand.
very LONG TIME 1992.. DON.. :roll: BUGS!!!!