I went to both shows in 16. My first time in the Garden and NYC for that matter . Night 1 was awesome, and I think the only concert I've been to where the floor shook for a concert. Night 2 was good, but not great. I've always wanted to see them at MSG one because it's a legendary venue. It's been around for a long, long time. Most of the other iconic venues are gone. Boston Garden is gone, madhouse on Madison is gone, and while there are newer versions of these places, they're not iconic. MSG is one of the few left in this country, so for me it was more about just being there in that venue. Hell, i'd go see PJ anywhere but always wanted to see them in NYC and in Seattle and been lucky enough to see them in both places.
From house lights to Go in seconds was insane 5.1.16. It was 7.7 on the Richter scale. NY joke there, from someone that dislikes the rags.
Fans will always recall that last spectrum show but will never revere Wells Fargo center. If the Dolans decided to take someone’s money and call it the MetLife Arena, this topic would not exist.
Fenway Park and Wrigley Field I think are good analogies. They could play shows at ballparks all over the US but these two venues with such history would still be the most sought after.
The northeast has the biggest fanbase in the country and NY is the larges and most central city in it. Sorry to those in Oakland, but My limited knowledge of Oakland makes me think it is a dump and thus doesn’t make me feel like something special could be on the way like before every MSG show. Honestly though I have left my four shows in MSG in 2008 and 2016 feeling like they most PJ shows I walked out of. Great shows but not the cream of the crop on those tours.
I've had a few conversations about this with my tour buddy of the last 22 years. He's NYC based and hits all of those. I'm Philly based and hit all of those. We've each hit a decent number between the 2 cities. The arena itself in MSG is special. It's one of the older generation like others have mentioned and one of the only ones still standing (RIP Spectrum, Boston Garden, Chicago Stadium, etc.). Definitely a ton of history in those types of venues. The sound at MSG is incredible too, noticeably better than the newer multi-purpose indoor arenas. There's a definite energy there, not just with Pearl Jam. The way its set up you feel like you're in the Coliseum with seating kind of more vertical and circular than other arenas so you really get a sense of others around you in the building which really feeds into the vibe. Big factor with Pearl Jam MSG shows is that it probably attracts more 10 Club than any other. Easy access, big city vibe, get off the train and go up a few steps and you're there, right in the heart of the city. This influx of 10 Club gives it more of a community/connected feel (especially in some of the epic shows mentioned above ('98 2, '03 1, '10 2). You're more likely to get that symbiotic relationship between the band and the crowd pushing each other on. That being said, there's definitely some overhype with MSG shows. Every tour everyone expects them to be the most epic shows with bust outs, special guests, 3+ hour sets but the expectations are impossible to live up to. I've had debate with my tour buddy a few times about which city has better shows in the last 15 years: NYC or Philly? I'd give the nod to NYC through '03 (shows above plus Randall's Island). Since '05 I think it's hard to top Philly. I'd put a top 4 from Philly ('05, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, Tenadelphia '16) against any city's top 4.
TFC '97, TFC '98, Pittsburgh '98, Camden I,II '98, Camden I,II '00, Pittsburgh '00, Philly '03, Camden I,II '03, MSG I,II '03, Hershey '03, Reading '04, Philly '05, Camden I,II '06, Meadowlands I '06, Camden I,II '08, DC '08, Spectrum I,II,III,IV '09, Made in America '12, Philly I,II '13, GCF '15, Philly I,II '16, MSG I '16, Apollo ‘22, MSG ‘22, Camden ‘22, MSG I,II '24, Philly I,II '24
It’s NYC. It is what people always hear about with huge bands. We love NYC and usually make a trip out of it.
I saw night 2 in 2016. Wish I would have been there for night 1. This was the moment I committed to seeing both shows at a city moving forward.
Sting and cheap trick was cool, but personally I would rather have a deep set list than a number of old rockers/cover songs being played. Nothingman, Leatherman, Better man was pretty awesome, though.
Also, we sat next to two people who never stood up the entire show. It was ten club seats. Pretentious guy and girl. They also got up and left in the middle of the first encore. All I could think was how bad some people would have wanted those seats.
It was a great night. But to say MSG sounds any better, it just doesn’t. Plus the $30 vodka drinks is cool? Nah.
It’s NYC. It is what people always hear about with huge bands. We love NYC and usually make a trip out of it.
I saw night 2 in 2016. Wish I would have been there for night 1. This was the moment I committed to seeing both shows at a city moving forward.
Sting and cheap trick was cool, but personally I would rather have a deep set list than a number of old rockers/cover songs being played. Nothingman, Leatherman, Better man was pretty awesome, though.
Also, we sat next to two people who never stood up the entire show. It was ten club seats. Pretentious guy and girl. They also got up and left in the middle of the first encore. All I could think was how bad some people would have wanted those seats.
It was a great night. But to say MSG sounds any better, it just doesn’t. Plus the $30 vodka drinks is cool? Nah.
It’s NYC. It is what people always hear about with huge bands. We love NYC and usually make a trip out of it.
I saw night 2 in 2016. Wish I would have been there for night 1. This was the moment I committed to seeing both shows at a city moving forward.
Sting and cheap trick was cool, but personally I would rather have a deep set list than a number of old rockers/cover songs being played. Nothingman, Leatherman, Better man was pretty awesome, though.
Also, we sat next to two people who never stood up the entire show. It was ten club seats. Pretentious guy and girl. They also got up and left in the middle of the first encore. All I could think was how bad some people would have wanted those seats.
It was a great night. But to say MSG sounds any better, it just doesn’t. Plus the $30 vodka drinks is cool? Nah.
$30 vodka drinks?!?!
If you are going to leave to get a drink during the show, it must be a double. So yea, $30.
It’s NYC. It is what people always hear about with huge bands. We love NYC and usually make a trip out of it.
I saw night 2 in 2016. Wish I would have been there for night 1. This was the moment I committed to seeing both shows at a city moving forward.
Sting and cheap trick was cool, but personally I would rather have a deep set list than a number of old rockers/cover songs being played. Nothingman, Leatherman, Better man was pretty awesome, though.
Also, we sat next to two people who never stood up the entire show. It was ten club seats. Pretentious guy and girl. They also got up and left in the middle of the first encore. All I could think was how bad some people would have wanted those seats.
It was a great night. But to say MSG sounds any better, it just doesn’t. Plus the $30 vodka drinks is cool? Nah.
$30 vodka drinks?!?!
If you are going to leave to get a drink during the show, it must be a double. So yea, $30.
I live in MA, I’ve made the trek to MSG many times. For me it’s always special. I’ve traveled a lot and for me Manhattan has a natural buzz in the air that just doesn’t exist elsewhere. So I always go down for a show and spend a few hours in the city. I also feel that unique energy of the city finds its way into the building.
I live in MA, I’ve made the trek to MSG many times. For me it’s always special. I’ve traveled a lot and for me Manhattan has a natural buzz in the air that just doesn’t exist elsewhere. So I always go down for a show and spend a few hours in the city. I also feel that unique energy of the city finds its way into the building.
Exactly. There’s a reason Eddie tells the story of seeing a reflection of the NYC skyline behind him before his first time playing there and thinking he made it (paraphrasing). Same reason Jordan, Lebron, Kobe, and more all elevated their game when playing there. It’s the Mecca, it’s got mystique, it’s the pinnacle (or one of them) for performers and fans alike. But yes, it gets a lot of hype from the many people who have experienced something special there.
New Yorkers think everything in NY is unparalleled. Fact is, even their beloved pizza is better elsewhere (Connecticut).
This phenomenon is not exclusive to New Yorkers, there is just more of us than a lot of other places so people get tired of hearing it. I moved to the south and people are just as proud of what is theirs and think their everything is unparalleled.
I think the hype for certain cities and venues is overrated, typically by the fans of that location. Everyone wants to feel their city rocks the hardest. The reality is, PJ rocks hard every night. MSG is just a cool travel destination for some so I think that adds to the hype. I’ve been fortunate enough to see them all over the country, Boston, Chicago, Seattle and about 30 other cities and I personally never notice a different. The shows are often really good or just average based on a myriad of factors like seat location, people around you, set list etc. I’ve also noticed over the years we all have very different opinions on what a great show is based on our experiences from that night. I’ve been to many shows people here rave as the best ever where it was only average to me.
I think the hype for certain cities and venues is overrated, typically by the fans of that location. Everyone wants to feel their city rocks the hardest. The reality is, PJ rocks hard every night. MSG is just a cool travel destination for some so I think that adds to the hype. I’ve been fortunate enough to see them all over the country, Boston, Chicago, Seattle and about 30 other cities and I personally never notice a different. The shows are often really good or just average based on a myriad of factors like seat location, people around you, set list etc. I’ve also noticed over the years we all have very different opinions on what a great show is based on our experiences from that night. I’ve been to many shows people here rave as the best ever where it was only average to me.
Since we are talking about NY besides these obvious choices on top of MSG what else do I need to see? I love pizza too!
Chelsea market.
To quote the 10C from Newsletter #8: "Please understand we have a lot of members and it is very hard to please everybody. If you are one of those unhappy people...please call 1-900-IDN-TCAR."
"Me knowing the truth, I can not concur."
1996: Toronto - 1998: Chicago, Montreal, Barrie - 2000: Montreal, Toronto - 2002: Seattle X2 (Key Arena) - 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, Seattle (Benaroya Hall) - 2004: Reading, Toledo, Grand Rapids - 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City - 2006: Toronto X2, Albany, Hartford, Grand Rapids, Cleveland - 2007: Chicago (Vic Theatre) - 2008: NYC X2, Hartford, Mansfield X2 - 2009: Toronto, Chicago X2, Seattle X2, Philadelphia X4 - 2010: Columbus, Noblesville, Cleveland, Buffalo, Hartford - 2011: Montreal, Toronto X2, Ottawa, Hamilton - 2012: Missoula - 2013: London, Chicago, Buffalo, Hartford - 2014: Detroit, Moline - 2015: NYC (Global Citizen Festival) - 2016: Greenville, Toronto X2, Chicago 1 - 2017: Brooklyn (RRHOF Induction) - 2018: Chicago 1, Boston 1 - 2022: Fresno, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, NYC, Camden - 2023: St. Paul X2, Austin X2 - 2024: Vancouver X2, Portland, Sacramento, Missoula, Noblesville, Philadelphia X2, Baltimore
Since we are talking about NY besides these obvious choices on top of MSG what else do I need to see? I love pizza too!
Chelsea market.
First off, if you see gum on the street, leave it there. It's not free candy. Second, there are, like, thirty Ray's Pizzas. They all claim to be the original. But the real one's on 11th. And if you see a sign that says "Peep Show", that doesn't mean that they're letting you look at presents before Christmas.
But seriously, South Street seaport, freedom tower, museum of natural history, Guggenheim, ride the glass elevator at Marriott marquis (wife’s favorite), and union square park by NYU. Get a bagel and cream cheese, some pizza, soup dumplings at joe’s shanghai, and pastrami, maybe a street cart hot dog and pretzel. Just explore and take it all in.
When you can play the Garden, you have arrived. My favorite place to see shows. PJ 98 was their arrival. Garden shows get reviewed as well and bands usually bring it
When you can play the Garden, you have arrived. My favorite place to see shows. PJ 98 was their arrival. Garden shows get reviewed as well and bands usually bring it
No. No it wasn't. Take a gander at their five album releases before that show and the number of times over those albums went platinum/diamond etc. Most every show here in the states gets reviewed and they wouldn't be where they are today if they didn't "bring it" most every single show they play.
or you can come to terms and realize you're the only one who can forgive yourself oh yeah... makes much more sense to live in the present tense...
Comments
The arena itself in MSG is special. It's one of the older generation like others have mentioned and one of the only ones still standing (RIP Spectrum, Boston Garden, Chicago Stadium, etc.). Definitely a ton of history in those types of venues. The sound at MSG is incredible too, noticeably better than the newer multi-purpose indoor arenas. There's a definite energy there, not just with Pearl Jam. The way its set up you feel like you're in the Coliseum with seating kind of more vertical and circular than other arenas so you really get a sense of others around you in the building which really feeds into the vibe.
Big factor with Pearl Jam MSG shows is that it probably attracts more 10 Club than any other. Easy access, big city vibe, get off the train and go up a few steps and you're there, right in the heart of the city. This influx of 10 Club gives it more of a community/connected feel (especially in some of the epic shows mentioned above ('98 2, '03 1, '10 2). You're more likely to get that symbiotic relationship between the band and the crowd pushing each other on.
That being said, there's definitely some overhype with MSG shows. Every tour everyone expects them to be the most epic shows with bust outs, special guests, 3+ hour sets but the expectations are impossible to live up to.
I've had debate with my tour buddy a few times about which city has better shows in the last 15 years: NYC or Philly? I'd give the nod to NYC through '03 (shows above plus Randall's Island). Since '05 I think it's hard to top Philly. I'd put a top 4 from Philly ('05, 10/30/09, 10/31/09, Tenadelphia '16) against any city's top 4.
NYC certainly doesn't hold an exclusive license on hype. That said...all the Fenway shows have been awesome.
"...I changed by not changing at all..."
Strong 2nd Amendment supporter and advocate targeted methods of reducing gun violence, sans-infringement.
Since we are talking about NY besides these obvious choices on top of MSG what else do I need to see? I love pizza too!
Strong 2nd Amendment supporter and advocate targeted methods of reducing gun violence, sans-infringement.
"Me knowing the truth, I can not concur."
1996: Toronto - 1998: Chicago, Montreal, Barrie - 2000: Montreal, Toronto - 2002: Seattle X2 (Key Arena) - 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, Seattle (Benaroya Hall) - 2004: Reading, Toledo, Grand Rapids - 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City - 2006: Toronto X2, Albany, Hartford, Grand Rapids, Cleveland - 2007: Chicago (Vic Theatre) - 2008: NYC X2, Hartford, Mansfield X2 - 2009: Toronto, Chicago X2, Seattle X2, Philadelphia X4 - 2010: Columbus, Noblesville, Cleveland, Buffalo, Hartford - 2011: Montreal, Toronto X2, Ottawa, Hamilton - 2012: Missoula - 2013: London, Chicago, Buffalo, Hartford - 2014: Detroit, Moline - 2015: NYC (Global Citizen Festival) - 2016: Greenville, Toronto X2, Chicago 1 - 2017: Brooklyn (RRHOF Induction) - 2018: Chicago 1, Boston 1 - 2022: Fresno, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, NYC, Camden - 2023: St. Paul X2, Austin X2 - 2024: Vancouver X2, Portland, Sacramento, Missoula, Noblesville, Philadelphia X2, Baltimore
Take a gander at their five album releases before that show and the number of times over those albums went platinum/diamond etc.
Most every show here in the states gets reviewed and they wouldn't be where they are today if they didn't "bring it" most every single show they play.
you're the only one who can forgive yourself oh yeah...
makes much more sense to live in the present tense...
1995: 7/11 (Chicago) 2009: 8/23, 8/24 (Chicago) 2010: 5/9 (Cleveland) 2013 7/19 (Chicago) 2016: 4/9 (Miami), 5/1 (NYC), 8/20 & 8/22 (Chicago)
2018: 8/18 (Chicago) & 8/20 (Chicago) 2022: 9/11 (NYC), 9/18 (STL) 2023: 9/5 (Chicago), 9/7 (Chicago) 2024: 8/29 (Chicago), 8/31 (Chicago)