Pearl Jam to Headline Global Citizen Festival

HughFreakingDillon

People booing the speakers were obviously there for the wrong reasons.

tayzor33

I was thrilled to be there. I think everyone that booed is an embarrassment.
Was I done hearing the same thing from different people on stage? Of course I was. Do I wish Pearl Jam set was longer? Sure do.
But I also understand that we were a captive audience, and the message they were sending is very important.

Let's stop with the whining, and remember "imagine" being played so amazingly in central park no less. That alone was worth everything.

Smellyman

When it turned into corporatioins and their shills on stage doing more product placement than anything else I got a little annoyed.

It's a great cause and Corporate help is needed (since they are big part of the problem) but it was all about getting their brand out and doing an infomercial than actually caring. imo

and that stupid button...

Colbert "speed it along the ceo's time is $10,000 per second" Ha.

smc317

I went to this festival with the most open mind and lowest expectations I could force upon myself because I knew it was going to be a LONG day and that my favorite part (Pearl Jam of course) was going to be last and feel pretty short, and I think that made all the difference honestly. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the other artists. I could've done with a little less from Beyonce but I was really moved by how much her performance supported girls and that made up for my boredom with most of her music. Even if it's not for me, I'm glad someone with that level of influence is sending such an important message.

I was extremely impressed with Ed Sheeran. The fact that he does all of his songs by himself by looping his backing vocals and what not was awesome. Coldplay weren't half bad either. I generally find them pretty boring (sorry if there are Coldplay fans on here) but I enjoyed their set.

I agree with those who are talking about the talking getting redundant. While these issues are incredibly important and should be repeated, I don't think it worked in favor of the cause. I say this because I passionately agree with everything this organization stands for, but I often found myself zoning out, not purely out of impatience but out of being hit with statistic after statistic from a truly insane amount of speakers. I think it would've had a greater impact if they went out in groups, introduced themselves, and spoke clearly and concisely about a given issue, and maybe only had a couple groups per issue. Less would've been more in this situation.

The speakers also really struggled with reading off the prompter. I was in the first row of VIP 2 about 8 people to the left of the cameras and prompter and could see it perfectly. It was so far away from them and didn't move very smoothly so everything everyone was saying sounded like a run on sentence. I think that was one of MANY reasons Malala's speech was so great, she went completely off prompter. That was all her in the moment! It also didn't help that they didn't utilize the screens very well. Even when they were using the side screens (which were too low and consistently blocked) to show whoever was speaking/performing, they often neglected to use the larger and higher center screen for anything other than what looked like the wallpaper options on my laptop. But, these are minor details that I think if they were addressed could make a very good festival into a fantastic festival!

My only other little complaint is I'm pretty sure Beyonce played exactly an hour 15 and PJ played an hour maybe an hour and five considering RITFW went on for a long time. Not a big deal but naturally as a Pearl Jam fan it ticked me off a bit. I thought they did a fantastic job though closing out the show and I thought it was pretty cool that even the huge Beyonce fan next to me (the guy was wearing a shirt covered in pictures of her face) was enjoying the set.

I understand a lot of the feelings of those on here talking about the CEOs and why they should be booed and while I agree that some of those CEOs don't deserve praise, they were still there doing SOMETHING and silence and disinterest are also effective in showing someone you don't support them or don't think they're doing enough. Booing however can come off as just a bunch of impatient PJ fans who don't care about anything else, regardless of intent.

Anyway, I came away from this thrilled to have seen and heard from many artists/figures I either respect and admire, or simply wouldn't have checked out on my own. And equally thrilled to see one of my favorite bands play, especially in support of such an important cause!

on2legs

october22 said:

The boo's came from people annoyed with the heads of organizations like the fucking World Bank, the UN, Citi Bank and others suggesting that we, the audience, "do more." They're pieces of shit the likes of which I believe Eddie himself would have booed back in the day.

I didn't hear or see anyone booing Malala. That's totally unacceptable and I can't believe that was more than just a couple of people. It didn't register on TV at all.

The booing was embarrassing. Maybe you had to be there.

lbpeltz

Saltzy23 said:

Also, the one line at the end about how collectively these guys make like $100MM an hour and here they are volunteering their time, I mean holy fucking fuck. That had to be the most incredible thing I've ever witnessed. Horrid. At at a show promoting how we are all equal? Horribly horrid. That make my skin crawl it was so awful.

If I'm a dick for booing that, than I'm a dick...

BOOOO!!!!

That was a joke. Clearly, a joke.

lbpeltz

Does anyone else understand how Bill and Melinda introduced the Italian PM, and then two women showed up on stage?

dankind

EdsonNascimento said:

Why folks are worried about booing, talking, yelling. Who cares? It's a festival with 60,000 people If you've ever been around more than 2 people at once, you'll understand that everyone acts differently.

You're right. The younger fans of the other headliners were attentive and respectful of the speakers before their acts took the stage, whereas the elder Pearl Jam fans acted like a bunch of babies who lost their rattles.

Maybe we're jaded because some of us whistled the same tune when we were younger and don't believe it did a goddamn thing. And I'm not going to lie, some days when I'm going through all the awful news happening around the world, I'm right there in that head space. But the fact is, our generation did make a positive difference when it comes to the issue of eradicating extreme poverty on a global level. And yes, we made some grave mistakes along the way (or allowed grave mistakes to be made), but with our help and the help of some deep-pocketed corporations and global organizations such as the UN and World Bank, the younger generation is primed to right those wrongs and finish the job. Let's not discourage that.

"All that's sacred...."

Saltzy23

HughFreakingDillon said:

People booing the speakers were obviously there for the wrong reasons.

This is just so unfair to the people that that stood for up to 7 hours, many of which had also waited in line for up to 2-3 hours from what I've heard. Anyone there for the whole show had heard the message over and over for an entire day. They announced PJ would go on at 9. They lied so that the richest, most powerful men on the planet could pretend like they care about the little people and get face time on national TV during a charity event and push a big red button that was apparently gonna fix the world.

I have an odd feeling that people with this sentiment either watched on TV, or walked in right before PJ took the stage.

Everyone around me that booed was sober, and at least based strictly off appearance at least, nice respectable people. No one any where near me booed Malala, except one guy who was told by everyone around him to pipe down and show some respect.

One she left the stage and everyone was under the impression that PJ was next, only to be followed by 15 minutes of corporate dick sucking at the expense of hearing the band that a lot of people paid a LOT of money and some traveled incredibly far to see, people started getting anxious and upset.

I've read all the posts to the contrary and honestly thought about the whole thing a lot since Saturday night and the honest truth is that if I was put in the same situation again, I would do the exact same thing. That 15 minutes served NO purpose except to placate men worth almost $100B at the expense of hearing PJ play. I'm sorry if that sentiment offends anyone here, but it's my opinion and I'm entitled to have it.

dankind

Saltzy23 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

People booing the speakers were obviously there for the wrong reasons.

This is just so unfair to the people that that stood for up to 7 hours, many of which had also waited in line for up to 2-3 hours from what I've heard. Anyone there for the whole show had heard the message over and over for an entire day. They announced PJ would go on at 9. They lied so that the richest, most powerful men on the planet could pretend like they care about the little people and get face time on national TV during a charity event and push a big red button that was apparently gonna fix the world.

I have an odd feeling that people with this sentiment either watched on TV, or walked in right before PJ took the stage.

Everyone around me that booed was sober, and at least based strictly off appearance at least, nice respectable people. No one any where near me booed Malala, except one guy who was told by everyone around him to pipe down and show some respect.

One she left the stage and everyone was under the impression that PJ was next, only to be followed by 15 minutes of corporate dick sucking at the expense of hearing the band that a lot of people paid a LOT of money and some traveled incredibly far to see, people started getting anxious and upset.

I've read all the posts to the contrary and honestly thought about the whole thing a lot since Saturday night and the honest truth is that if I was put in the same situation again, I would do the exact same thing. That 15 minutes served NO purpose except to placate men worth almost $100B at the expense of hearing PJ play. I'm sorry if that sentiment offends anyone here, but it's my opinion and I'm entitled to have it.

Entitled is right.

Did you think that the format of the entire festival was going to change just because Pearl Jam was taking the stage? Would the crowd have been more respectful if the suits lighting up the world bit had gone on earlier and we got the PM of Norway instead? You make it sound like the only reason they were booed was because they were corporate heads, but the booing in my section started with Malala and got more aggressive as each speaker was announced. Fucking hell, Ban Ki-moon got a Bronx cheer.

I'm assuming that the Italian PM was bumped for time constraints. So you've got that going for you....

Saltzy23

dankind said:

Saltzy23 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

People booing the speakers were obviously there for the wrong reasons.

This is just so unfair to the people that that stood for up to 7 hours, many of which had also waited in line for up to 2-3 hours from what I've heard. Anyone there for the whole show had heard the message over and over for an entire day. They announced PJ would go on at 9. They lied so that the richest, most powerful men on the planet could pretend like they care about the little people and get face time on national TV during a charity event and push a big red button that was apparently gonna fix the world.

I have an odd feeling that people with this sentiment either watched on TV, or walked in right before PJ took the stage.

Everyone around me that booed was sober, and at least based strictly off appearance at least, nice respectable people. No one any where near me booed Malala, except one guy who was told by everyone around him to pipe down and show some respect.

One she left the stage and everyone was under the impression that PJ was next, only to be followed by 15 minutes of corporate dick sucking at the expense of hearing the band that a lot of people paid a LOT of money and some traveled incredibly far to see, people started getting anxious and upset.

I've read all the posts to the contrary and honestly thought about the whole thing a lot since Saturday night and the honest truth is that if I was put in the same situation again, I would do the exact same thing. That 15 minutes served NO purpose except to placate men worth almost $100B at the expense of hearing PJ play. I'm sorry if that sentiment offends anyone here, but it's my opinion and I'm entitled to have it.

Entitled is right.

Did you think that the format of the entire festival was going to change just because Pearl Jam was taking the stage? Would the crowd have been more respectful if the suits lighting up the world bit had gone on earlier and we got the PM of Norway instead? You make it sound like the only reason they were booed was because they were corporate heads, but the booing in my section started with Malala and got more aggressive as each speaker was announced. Fucking hell, Ban Ki-moon got a Bronx cheer.

I'm assuming that the Italian PM was bumped for time constraints. So you've got that going for you....

I cannot speak on behalf of anyone else. All I can say is that yes, I personally booed 2 specific instances. 1. Yes, the corporate billionaires acting as though they care about this cause, or anyone but themselves in general really... (Bill Gates aside. Him, I have respect for what he has done). I am unsure where you are from, nor what you do for a living, but after the week I just had there is no way I have the ability to hear corporate leaders talk about how much they care about the little people when they don't even care about the people that fucking work for them. I've had assignments at the biggest most well known corporations and IB's on the planet, where I was treated like absolute garbage and where assignments were cut short and where I was notified AFTER I left for the day by my recruiters where I didn't even get to say goodbye to the people I worked with, and where my shit was literally thrown into a box and shipped back to me with no care whatsoever. They lay off entire fucking divisions without batting an eyelash, and then go play 18 holes. I am not saying this as opinion. I am saying this as fact. I have been in high level meetings at big, worldwide corporations and believe me when I tell you that the guys on top could not possibly care less about anyone but themselves, CERTAINLY not starving or abused people living half way around the world. The notion is absolutely laughable to me to be honest. They care about profits and revenues. Period. End of sentence. You are incredibly naïve if you think otherwise.

2. Anything to do with the 'Action Center' updates to how many new actions and how historic this all was, and big red buttons. After 7 hours of standing I and many others had lost patience for symbolic gestures that have no tangible effect on the world, or on the cause itself.

I appreciate your wide eyed enthusiasm for trying to make the world a better place. I honestly, truly do man. I am just too old, jaded and have seen too much to feel the same way anymore.

sanjam

had 10c vip2s gave them to a friend when ended up with vip1s through a friend at Caterpillar. we put our time in and little by little we made it to the rail. had malia obama standing next to us. got a good pic of a fan w stickman shirt and secret service girl in front of him. the speakers and ceos were ok we knew it was going to be part of the deal. it was the hour set of beyonce half singing half lip syncing that made me want to stick a pencil in my eye not the speakers. couldn't hear any booing hopefully they didn't hear it from the stage because that is rude. we had one jerk heckeler and we told him to move or we going to move him. he had a 10c shirt on and was completely wasted. he made us look bad. PJ set was too short but same we know it would be. Glad i went. imagine and redemption was awesome. will try to post pics later............l

my2hands

I love the fact that my fellow pearl jam fans booed those 1% fucks

Dont see a need to apologize or explain why either...

Nobody should have spoken after Malala... she is the face of progress, not some citi ceo cocksucker or billionaire

It was good to see some fans still have balls

on2legs

my2hands said:

I love the fact that my fellow pearl jam fans booed those 1% fucks

Dont see a need to apologize or explain why either...

Nobody should have spoken after Malala... she is the face of progress, not some citi ceo cocksucker or billionaire

It was good to see some fans still have balls

You're missing the point. People didn't boo them because they're CEO's they booed them because they were impatient for Pearl Jam to play. The booing wasn't a political statement, it was immaturity.

Saltzy23

my2hands said:

I love the fact that my fellow pearl jam fans booed those 1% fucks

Dont see a need to apologize or explain why either...

Nobody should have spoken after Malala... she is the face of progress, not some citi ceo cocksucker or billionaire

It was good to see some fans still have balls

E-high five brother!

a5pj

Saltzy23 said:

my2hands said:

I love the fact that my fellow pearl jam fans booed those 1% fucks

Dont see a need to apologize or explain why either...

Nobody should have spoken after Malala... she is the face of progress, not some citi ceo cocksucker or billionaire

It was good to see some fans still have balls

E-high five brother!

I'm with you guys.

JDjr

Reading the posts to share my enthusiasm with fellow PJ loyalists, and getting bogged down in all the political banter! It was a GREAT showing for our boys - they were absolutely the musical highlight of the night, despite the set being shorter than any of us would like. I brought my two sons, it was their first PJ show, but I tried to make sure I wrapped the narrative around "why" we were there. Yes, some long-winded elements (especially at 8:59-9:15pm ), but the booing was ridiculous. Believe me, I may have been dying inside, but honestly, grown men behind me booing was a lesson to my sons in "how NOT to be a man." It's not like they (the speakers and CEO's) showed up at a PJ show and started spewing their greatness - they were at a festival around of which the primary cause was being promoted - and we all knowingly got tickets with this fact in mind.

Anyway - GREAT show - Eddie's voice was so rock solid. I love their passion and loved the Unthought Known story. Fingers crossed for a spring US tour. VIP2 was great, but man, what I wouldn't have done to jump that fence into VIP1.

Saltzy23

on2legs said:

my2hands said:

I love the fact that my fellow pearl jam fans booed those 1% fucks

Dont see a need to apologize or explain why either...

Nobody should have spoken after Malala... she is the face of progress, not some citi ceo cocksucker or billionaire

It was good to see some fans still have balls

You're missing the point. People didn't boo them because they're CEO's they booed them because they were impatient for Pearl Jam to play. The booing wasn't a political statement, it was immaturity.

Wrong. I just laid out exactly why I booed. No one is missing any points. You just refuse to wanna hear why people booed.

In short, anyone that booed Malala=impatient, immature asshole.
Anyone that booed the corporate bozo's that came after her= justified and 100% valid.

pjsteelerfan

Saltzy23 said:

on2legs said:

my2hands said:

I love the fact that my fellow pearl jam fans booed those 1% fucks

Dont see a need to apologize or explain why either...

Nobody should have spoken after Malala... she is the face of progress, not some citi ceo cocksucker or billionaire

It was good to see some fans still have balls

You're missing the point. People didn't boo them because they're CEO's they booed them because they were impatient for Pearl Jam to play. The booing wasn't a political statement, it was immaturity.

Wrong. I just laid out exactly why I booed. No one is missing any points. You just refuse to wanna hear why people booed.

In short, anyone that booed Malala=impatient, immature asshole.
Anyone that booed the corporate bozo's that came after her= justified and 100% valid.

The majority of the people around me were booing because they were tired of waiting- and stated as much.

Kct1961

Saltzy23 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

People booing the speakers were obviously there for the wrong reasons.

This is just so unfair to the people that that stood for up to 7 hours, many of which had also waited in line for up to 2-3 hours from what I've heard. Anyone there for the whole show had heard the message over and over for an entire day. They announced PJ would go on at 9. They lied so that the richest, most powerful men on the planet could pretend like they care about the little people and get face time on national TV during a charity event and push a big red button that was apparently gonna fix the world.

I have an odd feeling that people with this sentiment either watched on TV, or walked in right before PJ took the stage.

Everyone around me that booed was sober, and at least based strictly off appearance at least, nice respectable people. No one any where near me booed Malala, except one guy who was told by everyone around him to pipe down and show some respect.

One she left the stage and everyone was under the impression that PJ was next, only to be followed by 15 minutes of corporate dick sucking at the expense of hearing the band that a lot of people paid a LOT of money and some traveled incredibly far to see, people started getting anxious and upset.

I've read all the posts to the contrary and honestly thought about the whole thing a lot since Saturday night and the honest truth is that if I was put in the same situation again, I would do the exact same thing. That 15 minutes served NO purpose except to placate men worth almost $100B at the expense of hearing PJ play. I'm sorry if that sentiment offends anyone here, but it's my opinion and I'm entitled to have it.

The planning was poor and the organizers brought the booing upon themselves. It should have been PLANNED to go from Mrs. Obama to Bono to PJ. I did not mind hearing the speakers, but it was not timed correctly. And you are right, coming to the event cost me $500 for a ticket and $700 for a hotel room, plus I drove in from Atlanta for my first Pearl Jam performance and arrived in line at 10 am. The planners should not have cut 15 minutes out of the PJ time. Beyoncé had ended exactly at 8:30 as scheduled, and we should have started at 9! Simple enough! Poor planning. All of you have valid points.

Overall it was very well worth it, to me, by the way.