Home› The Porch
Options

The Pearl Jam Problem: Superfans Have Ruined My Favorite Band (Article)

P-Town-P-Jam-FanP-Town-P-Jam-Fan Posts: 897
in The Porch
http://www.craveonline.com/music/1000187-the-pearl-jam-problem-superfans-have-ruined-my-favorite-band

Interesting read....
Gorge
«134

Comments

  • Options
    WhatYouTaughtMeWhatYouTaughtMe I have no idea what's going on right now! Posts: 4,957
    edited June 2016
    I like the first comment from Johnny Polo

    "To the author of this article, YOU ARE THE EXACT FAN YOU'RE CRITICIZING! You talk about "humblebrags" and entitlement while mentioning over and over you've seen 55 PJ shows and that the setlist was "shockingly lackluster." What hypocrisy! And really...for someone who's been to 55 shows, you should know the difference between a festival setlist and a regular setlist. Give me a break."

    The author also trashes their stage set up for being tired. I can see that, but if all these things bother you so much, take a tour or two off.
    Post edited by WhatYouTaughtMe on
  • Options
    MalrothMalroth broken down chevrolet Posts: 2,485
    This guy seems like one of the most annoying guys.....ever. That includes us. :wink:
    The worst of times..they don't phase me,
    even if I look and act really crazy.
  • Options
    Pearl34JamPearl34Jam TN Posts: 1,102
    Well. Somebody had a lot of time on their hands.
    "Must I keep explaining my decisions to you strangers of the Internet?" - Merch tent 8/19/16

    '13: 10/27 Baltimore
    '15: 9/26 New York City
    '16: 4/16 Greenville (VS!), 4/26 Lexington, 4/28 Philly, 8/20 Wrigley
    '18: 9/02 Fenway
    '22: 9/16 Nashville
    ’24: 8/26 Noblesville, 9/12 Baltimore
  • Options
    cydoniacydonia Denbighshire, North Wales , UK Posts: 456
    Read it earlier , so still processing it. I can only say from my own experience and only have had positive memories from gigs and times spent listening to this great band. I have to budget my gig preferences as I'm earning just enough to get by, that's not a dig, if I had the finances I'd follow the band everywhere too. I'd save up to buy the poster and t shirt , and sing along with thousands others, although never being up in the front , I can't say how the crowd reacts, but seems like everyone having a great time. The fan said ed forgot a few lyrics, and I remember from my favourite live gig(Manchester 2009) he made mistakes but I didn't realise he had as the emotion of the gig, particularly rearviewmirror was spellbinding. He makes valid points, as with everything nothing's perfect, Americas a pretty broken place at the moment, and eds opposition to trump should be admired and hopely will fuel a focused record, because when this band are angry and in disagreement they make there best music IMO. So super fans or not, we're here for the same reason, because of the music. So stick by them because they won't be another band like them..respect and love...
  • Options
    ehbaconehbacon Posts: 1,964
    good article but the author uses hyphens incorrectly, seems like whenever he uses one it should be a semicolon.
    Listen to some of my music here (if you want to): [url="My soundcloud"]
  • Options
    P-Town-P-Jam-FanP-Town-P-Jam-Fan Posts: 897
    This article pissed me off way more:
    http://townhall.com/columnists/bryancrabtree/2016/06/14/america-attacked--bonnaroo--pearl-jam-exemplify-root-of-us-delusion-n2177833
    Gorge
  • Options
    TA243471TA243471 The Great Northwest Posts: 1,110
    I guess all I can say to the 1st article is. "Why wait til Chicago. I can find 5000 people that will happily buy your ticket, and you can start your new life now"
    • 2006: Gorge 1
    • 2009: Seattle 1
    • 2013: Seattle
    • 2016: Wrigley 1 & 2
    • 2018: Seattle 1&2, Montana
    • 2020: San Diego, LA 1&2, Oakland 1&2
    • 2022: San Diego, LA 1&2, Fresno, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Denver
  • Options
    SmallestOceansSmallestOceans Posts: 13,542
    That article is laughable.
    Worcester1 13, Worcester2 13, Hartford 13, San Diego 13, Los Angeles1 13, Los Angeles2 13
    Trieste 14, Vienna 14, Gdynia 14, Leeds 14, Milton Keynes 14, Denver 14
    Central Park 15
    Fort Lauderdale 16, Miami 16, Tampa 16, Jacksonville 16, Greenville 16, Hampton 16, Columbia 16, Lexington 16, Philly1 16, Philly2 16, NYC1 16, NYC2 16, Quebec City 16, Ottawa 16, Toronto1 16, Toronto2 16, Fenway1 16, Fenway2 16, Wrigley1 16, Wrigley2 16


  • Options
    AceCoolAceCool Texas Posts: 455
    The author made some valid points but ultimately he came off as a whiny bitch. His insistence on being right up in the very front is a very large contributing factor in his negative experience. It's the nature of the beast that people jockeying for the closest position will do so most aggressively. I like being close but I never feel the need to be close enough to get inadvertently spit on by the singer.
  • Options
    WhatYouTaughtMeWhatYouTaughtMe I have no idea what's going on right now! Posts: 4,957
    P-Town-P-Jam-Fan said:

    This article pissed me off way more:
    http://townhall.com/columnists/bryancrabtree/2016/06/14/america-attacked--bonnaroo--pearl-jam-exemplify-root-of-us-delusion-n2177833

    Don't link click bait. The guy is fishing for advertising dollars with an over dramatic headline.
  • Options
    on2legson2legs Standing in the Jersey rain… Posts: 14,419
    Sometimes I read what people post about a show I was at and I wonder if I saw the same show. Their posts are filled with complaints and suggestions for how the band could have done better. They constantly dwell on minutia that no one cares about and seem to be on a collision course with needing to have a bad time to validate their negative feelings Meanwhile I was at a fantastic rock concert and had no idea I should be upset with some of these things.
    1996: Randall's Island 2  1998: East Rutherford | MSG 1 & 2  2000: Cincinnati | Columbus | Jones Beach 1, 2, & 3 | Boston 1 | Camden 1 & 2 2003: Philadelphia | Uniondale | MSG 1 & 2 | Holmdel  2005: Atlantic City 1  2006: Camden 1 | East Rutherford 1 & 2 2008: Camden 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Newark (EV)  2009: Philadelphia 1, 2 & 4  2010: Newark | MSG 1 & 2  2011: Toronto 1  2013: Wrigley Field | Brooklyn 2 | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore  2015: Central Park  2016: Philadelphia 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Fenway Park 2 | MSG (TOTD)  2017: Brooklyn (RnR HOF)  2020: MSG | Asbury Park  2021: Asbury Park  2022: MSG | Camden | Nashville  2024: MSG 1 & 2 (#50) | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore


  • Options
    FoxyRedLaFoxyRedLa Lauren / MI Posts: 4,810
    I couldn't even read the whole thing. Tapped out when he called out/blamed a 12 year old girl. Jesus. Who was in charge to agree to print that?
    Oh please let it rain today.
    Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
  • Options
    Pearl34JamPearl34Jam TN Posts: 1,102
    FoxyRedLa said:

    I couldn't even read the whole thing. Tapped out when he called out/blamed a 12 year old girl. Jesus. Who was in charge to agree to print that?

    Agree. He went too far there by acting like Eddie's not allowed to do anything but sing. He's not allowed to mention his daughter on stage apparently.
    "Must I keep explaining my decisions to you strangers of the Internet?" - Merch tent 8/19/16

    '13: 10/27 Baltimore
    '15: 9/26 New York City
    '16: 4/16 Greenville (VS!), 4/26 Lexington, 4/28 Philly, 8/20 Wrigley
    '18: 9/02 Fenway
    '22: 9/16 Nashville
    ’24: 8/26 Noblesville, 9/12 Baltimore
  • Options
    YefaYefa Posts: 1,133
    Read the comment by a guy named Ben Bracey. It appears that the author was dishonest in how he characterized something that happened at the rail at Bonnaroo.
    You see me empty, Sir, do not pause and inquire, simply assume and refill.
    - Al Swearengen

    http://www.cantstoptheserenity.com
  • Options
    djklambakedjklambake PHX, AZ Posts: 2,510
    This is what happens when you run out of toilet paper while you're sitting on the can, and nobody's home to help you out. It's a lonely, sad world for some people...
    6/27/98 - East Troy, WI
    6/29/06 - Milwaukee, WI
    9/25/11 - Vancouver, BC
    11/4/12 - (Eddie Vedder) Phoenix, AZ
    11/1/13 - New Orleans, LA
    11/19/13 - Phoenix, AZ
    11/21/13 - San Diego, CA
    10/12/14 - Austin, TX
    10/22/14 - Denver, CO
    8/22/16 - Chicago, IL (Wrigley 2)
  • Options
    FoxyRedLaFoxyRedLa Lauren / MI Posts: 4,810
    P-Town-P-Jam-Fan said:

    This article pissed me off way more:
    http://townhall.com/columnists/bryancrabtree/2016/06/14/america-attacked--bonnaroo--pearl-jam-exemplify-root-of-us-delusion-n2177833



    "There are many very talented actors and musicians who are destroying our culture and clearing the field for radical extremists to exist amongst us.  These artists’ delusional and emotional commentary is being used to ‘stupidify’ America."

    :rofl::rofl::rofl:

    BAHAHHAHA Who's delusional?!?!?
    Oh please let it rain today.
    Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
  • Options
    kramer73kramer73 Posts: 2,599
    Must be someone from this message board.
  • Options
    tbergstbergs Posts: 9,218
    Yeah, can't say I agree with everything in the article but I get some of the points made. Having listened to the second half of the show, it did seem like Ed was struggling a bit more with his range. I didn't hear the lyric flubs, but that's happened before. The band has musically had plenty of mistakes as well over their time. I'm sure he wishes he would have nailed the lyrics too, but mistakes happen. It's just a lot more noticeable if you're Pearl Jam on stage at Bonnaroo.

    I read somewhere else where someone complained that the Boss nails it every night and Ed doesn't. I don't know about that, but I would argue Ed has hung in pretty great considering the vocal beating he's given his voice over the years. Some songs it shows more than others. It seems like all the complainers want it to be 1992 - 1996 again and are having a hard time realizing that things change.

    I think it would have been amazing if Pearl Jam did what the Beatles did and just wrote music constantly for those first 10 years because they progressed so much during that era and Ed had the greatest vocal range. But then they probably wouldn't still be together nor would we have gotten those amazing tours and everything since.

    Pretty soon all the complainers will have nothing to complain about because they'll be done touring and making music. That will be a sad day for all of the music world.

    It's a hopeless situation...
  • Options
    MayDay10MayDay10 Posts: 11,611
    WhatYouTaughtMe said:

    I like the first comment from Johnny Polo

    "To the author of this article, YOU ARE THE EXACT FAN YOU'RE CRITICIZING! You talk about "humblebrags" and entitlement while mentioning over and over you've seen 55 PJ shows and that the setlist was "shockingly lackluster." What hypocrisy! And really...for someone who's been to 55 shows, you should know the difference between a festival setlist and a regular setlist. Give me a break."

    The author also trashes their stage set up for being tired. I can see that, but if all these things bother you so much, take a tour or two off.

    That was my exact thoughts when i was reading. He cried in one sentence that we we all feel entitled... then the following 5 sentences started with "I".
  • Options
    VOLAREVOLARE Posts: 314
    I think that after a long day of sitting in the sun, after an overnight on the pavement etc. that people just aren't always in the best of head spaces anymore. I've seen the negative, I'm sure we all have. I've also seen the glorious, like the 2 Canadians who drank beer all day making friends and handing out beers in Mexico. They made the day go by way quicker. I try not to let the negative get the best of me. Happens, but fuck it.
    8-28-92 Harriet Island
    6-16-93 University Theatre, UM
    2-8-95 Adams Field House
    6-20-98 Washington-Grizzly Stadium
    5-28-03 Adams Field House
    8-29-05 Adams Field House
    7-22-06 Gorge Amphitheater
    9-3-11 Alpine Valley
    9-30-12 Adams Field House
    10-31-12 The Pearl - Eddie Vedder
    11-01-12 The Pearl - Eddie Vedder
    9-6-13 Key Arena
    6-20-14 Milan
    6-22-14 Trieste
    11-28-15 Mexico City
  • Options
    scurtisscurtis Posts: 2,427
    TA243471 said:

    I guess all I can say to the 1st article is. "Why wait til Chicago. I can find 5000 people that will happily buy your ticket, and you can start your new life now"

    Haha exactly what I thought. Complains the whole time and basically says, "see you all at Wrigley"
    "Born on third, thinks he got a triple."
  • Options
    3days3days Posts: 1,151
    edited June 2016
    If things are too frenzied up front, why not enjoy the show from a distance?

    If you don't like the merchandise scene, my advice would be not to take part in it.

    If you have a long history of concert attendance, is it news when there are some inconsiderate fans at an event, let alone a festival?

    If the experience has been ruined, why attend Wrigley?

    The guy made a valid point or two, but it seems like common sense would've improved the situation.
    Post edited by 3days on
  • Options
    HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,418
    Superfans, entitlement, etc... but oh, oh, I gotta be on the rail for all 55 shows.
    Star Lake 00 / Pittsburgh 03 / State College 03 / Bristow 03 / Cleveland 06 / Camden II 06 / DC 08 / Pittsburgh 13 / Baltimore 13 / Charlottesville 13 / Cincinnati 14 / St. Paul 14 / Hampton 16 / Wrigley I 16 / Wrigley II 16 / Baltimore 20 (xx) / Camden 22 / Baltimore 24
  • Options
    what dreamswhat dreams Posts: 1,758
    Never trust a writer who describes the band as an "emotional lighthouse as the storms of adulthood soaked us through." Gag.
  • Options
    hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    what dreams said:

    Never trust a writer who describes the band as an "emotional lighthouse as the storms of adulthood soaked us through." Gag.

    Cheers to the third person today/tonight who made me laugh like a motherfucker.

    Gold =)
  • Options
    mfc2006mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,378
    I didn't know that the National Enquirer was still interested in Pearl Jam. Wow.
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • Options
    PJammer4lifePJammer4life Los Angeles Posts: 2,585
    What's really happened is fans traveling from long distances feeling entitled to an "epic " show to make their trip worth it. And they can't justify paying for flight, hotel, rental car etc from the lawn. So it's rail or bust. I made my peace after traveling for shows in 2011 to wait for PJ to play close to home, and though I have only seen 2 shows since then in 2013 I patiently await a West Coast tour. It's most likely long time fans that travel to shows, so it's kind of a shame seniority lost it's value over time in securing quality tickets. Anyways, Cheers to Pearl Jam for 25 years of music.
    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
  • Options
    SD48277SD48277 Woodstock, NY Posts: 12,242
    HesCalledDyer said:

    Superfans, entitlement, etc... but oh, oh, I gotta be on the rail for all 55 shows.

    :lol:
    ELITIST FUK
  • Options
    HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,418
    PJammer4life said:

    What's really happened is fans traveling from long distances feeling entitled to an "epic " show to make their trip worth it. And they can't justify paying for flight, hotel, rental car etc from the lawn. So it's rail or bust. I made my peace after traveling for shows in 2011 to wait for PJ to play close to home, and though I have only seen 2 shows since then in 2013 I patiently await a West Coast tour. It's most likely long time fans that travel to shows, so it's kind of a shame seniority lost it's value over time in securing quality tickets. Anyways, Cheers to Pearl Jam for 25 years of music.

    Seniority has never lost its value. It's always meant the same thing - the longer you're in the club, the better your seat is. Nothing more, nothing less.

    Star Lake 00 / Pittsburgh 03 / State College 03 / Bristow 03 / Cleveland 06 / Camden II 06 / DC 08 / Pittsburgh 13 / Baltimore 13 / Charlottesville 13 / Cincinnati 14 / St. Paul 14 / Hampton 16 / Wrigley I 16 / Wrigley II 16 / Baltimore 20 (xx) / Camden 22 / Baltimore 24
  • Options
    PJammer4lifePJammer4life Los Angeles Posts: 2,585
    HesCalledDyer said:

    PJammer4life said:

    What's really happened is fans traveling from long distances feeling entitled to an "epic " show to make their trip worth it. And they can't justify paying for flight, hotel, rental car etc from the lawn. So it's rail or bust. I made my peace after traveling for shows in 2011 to wait for PJ to play close to home, and though I have only seen 2 shows since then in 2013 I patiently await a West Coast tour. It's most likely long time fans that travel to shows, so it's kind of a shame seniority lost it's value over time in securing quality tickets. Anyways, Cheers to Pearl Jam for 25 years of music.

    Seniority has never lost its value. It's always meant the same thing - the longer you're in the club, the better your seat is. Nothing more, nothing less.

    For reserved yes. The inception of General Admission lottery eliminates seniority for those fans trying for floor tickets. Those lucky enough to win tickets through the lottery who want the rail have to wait all day for the start of the show which many refuse to do. Even on previous tours rows 1,2 and 9,10 were lottery, and the rest based on seniority. Now senority plays no part in getting on the floor at all for MOST shows.

    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
Sign In or Register to comment.