PJ after 25 years ... AMAZING

Blredyellow

This band we all love can sell out Wrigley twice, Fenway twice, MSG twice, Philly twice and Toronto twice. All without promoting a new LP or doing any major marketing. And they still play Hampton, Greenville, Columbia ... and will rock the F out of those small towns.

Only two other major rock acts can do that: U2 and Springsteen. And both of those massively publicized their recent tours with national promotional appearances and in the media.

In 2013-14, I remember thinking that PJ would've never sold out places like Dallas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa 10 years ago. Yet they packed Dallas and OKC to the rafters and now have already sold out 12 of their 23 shows in 2016, despite very little promotion, mostly relying on word of mouth/hardcore fans and playing some of the biggest places they've played in 20 years.

I'm not sure how it happened. But they're obviously bigger now than they were from 2000-10. Almost all of the longtime, devoted fans have remained and they've picked up a huge new audience, despite going many years only playing 3-15 shows a year and not pushing their "brand" down people's throats.

I think part of it is supply/demand. They've never overexposed themselves and have been very smart in moving around the country. They've stayed relevant and alive without ever burning themselves out.

I know the biggest reason is that they f'n ROCK, never, ever play the same show, sing from the heart, have the best rhythm section going and are the only big rock band still alive. Ed, Stone, Mike, Jeff, Matt -- they all musically reach and inspire us. It's gotten to the point that if you want to go see a real, old-school (but very modern) kick-ass rock show, PJ is the only band you can count on. U2's been an "act" for years. Springsteen's great but relies on a 10-plus piece band and is very much a "show." PJ unleashes "Mind Your Manners" and "Nothingman" in the same show and no setlist is ever the same.

After all this time (fan since 1991, 10c member since '93), I've never been prouder to be a PJ fan and absolutely can't wait to see seven shows on this tour. They're going to go down as one of the greatest of all time and have yet to "peak" -- they've never phoned it in. As great as the 2013-14 tours were -- longer, more diverse sets than ever before -- this should be one of the best runs they've ever played. And the demand is through the roof ... despite NO major advertising.

This is also the year before they get in the RnR HoF, which means their popularity and appreciation will only increase from 2017 on. (Just wait til the No Code and Yield box sets and 2013-14 tour Blu-Ray. Ha.)

Amazing to see this happen after 1996-03, when it sometimes felt like you had to validate to others why they were still so special and worth hanging on to. (Some of their best years ever, too, which says a lot about who they became and why the longtimers never left.)

Both Wrigleys, both Fenways sold out in less than an hour: just amazing. (Even with the scalpers' help.)

Here's to PJ 25.

Hail, hail!

p.s. Jazzfest and Bonnaroo are festivals, so make that 12 of 21 sellouts two months before the first show on the tour. Damn.

northerndragon

A tip of the hat to you and your excellent thread sir.

Blredyellow

helplessdancer

this year, i will have been following this band for 20 years
lately it occurs to me, what a long strange trip it's been

Abe Froman

Great post OP. They have successfully navigated the tricky balance between being popular but not too popular for a long time now while still doing things exactly the way they want to.

SVRDhand13

Great post OP. Totally agree with you. It's been a fun ride.

Blredyellow

Thanks, everyone. Was feeling it and wrote it. "PJ historian" and writer in real life, so the colors blend.

Ultimately, this is all that will matter. The music and the shows.

What's Jeff's line? Pure stoke.

Pure stoke.

whofeelslikeadrank

helplessdancer said:

this year, i will have been following this band for 20 years
lately it occurs to me, what a long strange trip it's been

i love it! i often think of what this band and their art means to me and of how closely i relate myself to someone who may have walked that road with the Dead. we are super lucky to be able to be alive in a time where something like this can happen.

cheers to your thoughts OP, i could not agree with you more.

mwplum

Fantastic post! After this morning's luck, I'm proud to say my wife and I are going to 14 shows (so far) this year! My first show was Lolla 1992, but have always neither had the time or money to really follow a tour until 2014. This year we're fortunate to be taking 3 separate trips East, starting in Kentucky, doing all shows to Toronto, Fenway, and Wrigley. We love all kinds of music, and still go to see other shows, but PJ is the only one we'd do something like this because as you say, every single night is different! Can't wait for this year!!!

Abe Froman

Blredyellow said:

Thanks, everyone. Was feeling it and wrote it. "PJ historian" and writer in real life, so the colors blend.

Ultimately, this is all that will matter. The music and the shows.

What's Jeff's line? Pure stoke.

Pure stoke.

Pure stoke! I love that

YLed2

Great fucking post right there. Period.

Mignelli14

I feel like I could run through a wall after reading this. So fired up for the tour. Excellent post, Cheers everybody to a big spring and summer!

yooperpj

Great post.
I was on my computer at work getting tickets today and a couple people stopped in who always make fun of me for my obsession, you know the "those guys are still around" or "isn't it the same show every time" people.
They were absolutely amazed that tickets were that hard to get.
Pearl Jam's following is no joke.

pureoc

Great post. Best live band in the world. Those of us here always knew it, now others are getting in board. Not to take anything away from their greatness but i think a lack of quality rock bands and lack of quality rock bands that tour helps a little.

josevolution

Love your spirit but I still like the way it felt when not to many knew how good the band is ...

my2hands

Blredyellow said:

This band we all love can sell out Wrigley twice, Fenway twice, MSG twice, Philly twice and Toronto twice. All without promoting a new LP or doing any major marketing. And they still play Hampton, Greenville, Columbia ... and will rock the F out of those small towns.

Only two other major rock acts can do that: U2 and Springsteen. And both of those massively publicized their recent tours with national promotional appearances and in the media.

In 2013-14, I remember thinking that PJ would've never sold out places like Dallas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa 10 years ago. Yet they packed Dallas and OKC to the rafters and now have already sold out 12 of their 23 shows in 2016, despite very little promotion, mostly relying on word of mouth/hardcore fans and playing some of the biggest places they've played in 20 years.

I'm not sure how it happened. But they're obviously bigger now than they were from 2000-10. Almost all of the longtime, devoted fans have remained and they've picked up a huge new audience, despite going many years only playing 3-15 shows a year and not pushing their "brand" down people's throats.

I think part of it is supply/demand. They've never overexposed themselves and have been very smart in moving around the country. They've stayed relevant and alive without ever burning themselves out.

I know the biggest reason is that they f'n ROCK, never, ever play the same show, sing from the heart, have the best rhythm section going and are the only big rock band still alive. Ed, Stone, Mike, Jeff, Matt -- they all musically reach and inspire us. It's gotten to the point that if you want to go see a real, old-school (but very modern) kick-ass rock show, PJ is the only band you can count on. U2's been an "act" for years. Springsteen's great but relies on a 10-plus piece band and is very much a "show." PJ unleashes "Mind Your Manners" and "Nothingman" in the same show and no setlist is ever the same.

After all this time (fan since 1991, 10c member since '93), I've never been prouder to be a PJ fan and absolutely can't wait to see seven shows on this tour. They're going to go down as one of the greatest of all time and have yet to "peak" -- they've never phoned it in. As great as the 2013-14 tours were -- longer, more diverse sets than ever before -- this should be one of the best runs they've ever played. And the demand is through the roof ... despite NO major advertising.

This is also the year before they get in the RnR HoF, which means their popularity and appreciation will only increase from 2017 on. (Just wait til the No Code and Yield box sets and 2013-14 tour Blu-Ray. Ha.)

Amazing to see this happen after 1996-03, when it sometimes felt like you had to validate to others why they were still so special and worth hanging on to. (Some of their best years ever, too, which says a lot about who they became and why the longtimers never left.)

Both Wrigleys, both Fenways sold out in less than an hour: just amazing. (Even with the scalpers' help.)

Here's to PJ 25.

Hail, hail!

p.s. Jazzfest and Bonnaroo are festivals, so make that 12 of 21 sellouts two months before the first show on the tour. Damn.

Damn straight

Sarava

Very well said!

vito

It has been a long road that PJ and us fans have traveled and yet, it feels like it's only just begun...very few bands are able to achieve that statement. Today just proves what I've known all along that they are like a fine wine that just keeps getting better with age!

And the wind keeps roaring. And the sky keeps turning grey.
And the sun is set. The sun will rise another day.

somebodyelsessky2020

The greatest American rock band of all-time and right up there with the all time greatest of the world.

HesCalledDyer

:clap:

ckravitz

Great post.