Festival vs regular show

mattsl1983

I've seen PJ at over 15 PJ arena shows, and 3 festival shows. My ultimate conclusion is Pearl Jam at a festival is the best way to see them. I know I know, you get less songs, shorter set, less rarities, but there's just something about the great outdoors, 70,000 strong, fuck it I'm going to say Even Flow with a chorus of about 30,000 and just a two hour power set. Plus the only times I've heard WMA (full song) Red Mosquito (with Ben Harper) and Inside Job were at Bonaroo, Austin City Limits, and Voodoo. Anyways, what's your preference?

Jayneegirrl

I've seen Pearl Jam 3 times at Summerfest (Milwaukee, WI). I've seen them 3 times at Alpine Valley. I preferred Summerfest. Although, My seats were much better at Summerfest. I love Summerfest and everything it stands for. I love that there is General Admission of $18 to 13 stages. 11 days of live world class music from 11am to 11pm with beautiful Lake Michigan as a backdrop. Hopefully, I will be lucky enough to get better seats to Alpine Valley to make my comparison more equal. ;-)

HesCalledDyer

I've never been to a festival - any festival, not just one PJ is performing - but I do prefer outdoor venues. First time I saw them was at Starlake in 2000 and the only other outdoor venues I saw them at were Nissan Pavilion in '03 and The Waterfront in '06. There's just something about amphitheatres that does it for me.

karmadefect

If the comparision is out doors versus indoors than I vote out doors.
But if I have to choose between an outdoor fesival or an indoor regular gig, I choose an indoor gig.
Because of the reasons you mentioned. A longer setlist, and a different setlist. It's not rarities that make the difference for me, but rather that a festival gig is filled with crowd pleasers. I don't necessarily need Better man, Black, Elderly woman, Jeremy, Just breathe or even Alive to make it a good gig for me. Too much of those songs and I start to think about the songs that could have been played instead.

HesCalledDyer

Agreed, while I do prefer outdoor venues, I'll take an indoor regular gig over a festival show. There's a reason why I've never been to a fest. No interest.

ldent42

I think I probably have about an equal amount of festival and arena shows at this point. There's a [i]noticable[/i] difference in the air at each and each have their own pros and cons. I enjoy festival shows. I don't have it in me to do the weekend long things like lollapalooza or whatever with tents and camping and crap but I had a blast at Music Midtown two years ago.

TamaDrummer91

I tend to enjoy festivals quite a bit. I would never hesitate to see them at a festival. Bonnaroo and Music Midtown were a blast.

Rozbr

You have to go to the NeXT South América tour. You can see 70.000 people singing at the same time! Its beautiful

Attaway77

First off, I'll take whatever I can get. Either one works for me. Regular shows are great cause you know you're about to go for an up and down ride the next couple or so hours with all your PJ peeps. And it's all good…. Festivals are cool cause usually they just come out and knock you in the teeth and it's just a great rocking energy with some of your PJ peeps and the casual listeners. Which in turn, makes for a great night as well, don't have to spend it wondering what rarity they'll play, can just enjoy the ride….. PJ4LIFE!!!

FrankieG

I have seen them at:
3 festivals (Lolla, MIA, Music Midtown)
3 Outdoor headlining shows (Holmdel NJ, Alpine VAlley x2)
16 Indoor arena shows

There are many aspects that make these shows different. The sound quality, the crowd energy, the crowd 'fan-level', the weather, GA vs seated. I think I prefer indoor shows. They really excell at making a huge arena feel like a club with the intensity and the energy they get the crowd to give back to them.

But, you can never go wrong at a PJ show no matter where it is.

tcadd94

I just got some ACL tickets. Thanks for this post. The fact that the Replacements and Beck, etc. really sold it for me, Looking forward to it.

i_lov_it

When it comes to Pearl Jam I rather see them at there own Show

thuq

I think it depends on the location and other acts in the festival. Was at that Werchter show in '07 Karmadeffect, and it was a great experience (first euro rock festival for me) and got to see amazing acts like Arctic Monkeys, Snow Patrol, QOTSA, KOL, and that's what I remember. The Nijmegen show the night before was amazing, festival atmosphere with Incubus KOL and Perry Farell's band at the time. The snobby side of me that wants to hear every song and rarities loves the headlining shows. I think Wrigley was kinda like a festival show in that it was the hottest ticket in Chicago last summer so a lot of the hits were included but the hardcore got the rarities. They did a show at the Chicago HOB for Katrina and I was super disappointed when we got a greatest hits setlist.

grizaham

Festival PJ can be great! Lollapalooza 2007, Bonnaroo 2008, Music Midtown 2012 were very good. Jazzfest 2010 was awful though IMO. Insanely packed & short, poor setlist. But then again an insanely packed, short, poor festival setlist is better than most bands!! ;-)

CasCbus

I have seen them a couple times at festivals...I agree there is nothing better than at Lolla or Music Midtown hearing 50k + sing along strong. Incredible feeling. But with a regular show, you ride the wave with them...starting out slow, building up. I would take a regular show if I had the choice.

Comatose Pilate

I would choose a regular show over a festival almost every time

SVRDhand13

I'd rather be at a regular show because its going to be longer and a better chance of rarities, but I had a great time the one time I saw them at a festival. Most likely going to ACL weekend two so I'm hoping for another great time.