20 Years Ago Today: Camden 2000 (My first show!)

Ledbetterman10

Bit of a momentous anniversary for me so I figured I'd write about it. It was a great day, great show, with memories I'll never forget, but it wasn't without some obstacles.

Obstacle #1: There was a multi-car accident on the PA turnpike that led to us being stuck in traffic for about two hours (which feels like 10 hours when you're a couple of 16-year-olds on your way to your first Pearl Jam concert). Thankfully we left early enough that day so we got to the venue just as Sonic Youth was finishing their opening set. But man, we were very nervous as we waited outside our car on the side of the turnpike with everyone else that was stuck. 

Obstacle #2: Our seats were great. Dead center, and about 30 rows back. Couldn't ask for more. But during the 4th song (Red Mosquito), a dude showed up in the seat in front of me wearing a gigantic green sombrero. It obstructed the my entire view of the stage. He was about 10-15 years older, drunk off his ass, and about four times my size. I politely asked him to take it off, which he did for about 2 minutes, but then he put it back on. I asked him again but this time he ignored me. I'm not going to be able to see the show.  I couldn't believe it. But during the next song (Grievance), he was rocking out so hard, that he tripped over his feet, stumbled, and bashed his head off the ground. He was bleeding and everything. Security dragged him out, and then I could see everything! His loss, he missed a great show.

The setlist was PERFECT for a first show. They played all the hits (sans Alive which they weren't playing on that leg of the tour) and many of my favorite "deep cuts" like Tremor Christ, Red Mosquito, Whipping and even Breath, as there was a bit of second Breath campaign going on, similar to MSG '98. My friend still has his Breath sign.  A fan was passing them out between Sonic Youth and PJ. A strange thing about the set, which was great for a first show, but weird in retrospect, is they only played three Binaural songs (Light Years, Grievance, Insignificance) despite it being the Binaural tour. I don't know for sure, but this might be the least amount of songs from a new album they played on that album's tour ever. Nevertheless, it made for space in the setlist to get a pretty even distribution of songs from the first six albums, which again, was perfect for a first show. If the world ended the next day, I would've pretty much gotten the full-on Pearl Jam experience in one show....setlist-wise.

set: Sometimes, Last Exit, Animal, Red Mosquito, Grievance, Light Years, Dissident, Given To Fly, Even Flow, Wishlist, Better Man/(Save It For Later), Present Tense, Corduroy, Spin The Black Circle, Daughter/(Androgynous Mind)/(Hold On), Black, Insignificance, Go
enc 1: Breath, Tremor Christ, Once, Elderly Woman, Jeremy, Whipping, Do The Evolution, Crazy Mary, Porch
enc 2: Yellow Ledbetter/(Crazy Train)(Number Of The Beast)

Some non-musical highlights included during Whipping, a girl a few rows ahead of us was rocking out pretty damn hard. She was a bigger girl, and she lost her balance, falling into the guy next to her. The entire row went down like dominos, and the were all laughing their asses off (she was too) as they made their way back to their feet. It was hilarious. Another one was prior to Yellow Ledbetter, with the house lights on, some girl up front took her shirt off. As a 16-year-old at a rock concert, this is what you're looking for. If you listen to the boot, prior to Yellow Ledbetter, Eddie mentions that there's going to be a party in Stone's hotel room after the show. Stone then points into the crowd and says in the mic "I want her to come!" He was referring to the topless girl. 

Musical highlights include....EVERYTHING! I'm 34 shows in and still love seeing Even Flow and Do the Evolution live. So you can imagine how mind-blowing they were the first time. Just an awesome, awesome day that I'll never forget. 

cp3iverson

Great show.  I was about 5 rows back in between Eddie and Stone.  

I remember Lifehouse was really good before hand on the sidestage.  Weather was nice.  Trying to remember what else.  I remember I enjoyed Night 1 better than Night 2 but they were both good.  

Ledbetterman10

cp3iverson said:

Great show.  I was about 5 rows back in between Eddie and Stone.  

I remember Lifehouse was really good before hand on the sidestage.  Weather was nice.  Trying to remember what else.  I remember I enjoyed Night 1 better than Night 2 but they were both good.  

Sounds like you were sitting thereabouts where that picture I posted was taken from. That's not my pic. Just one I found online somewhere. 

RS65573

I love reading these, thank you. One of the few closer shows I missed, was moving into my first condo this week.

Ledbetterman10

RS65573 said:

I love reading these, thank you. One of the few closer shows I missed, was moving into my first condo this week.

I've always loved the Camden venue. Seen a bunch of great shows there including Radiohead and Iron Maiden. I don't think PJ has played there since 2008 though. I hope they go back some day. I prefer it over the Philly basketball arena, just for the outdoor aspect. 

on2legs

Good memories!  Thanks for the reminder... it was a good time.

CopperTom

My first PJ show was night 2.  20 years ago.  Fuck.  Still the only time I've heard Rival.

thebetterman

My first show too, celebrate it every year.  Changed my whole life that night.  Still pissed we didn't know enough to buy tickets to Night 2... young and foolish.

Ledbetterman10

thebetterman said:

My first show too, celebrate it every year.  Changed my whole life that night.  Still pissed we didn't know enough to buy tickets to Night 2... young and foolish.

Yeah I don’t think there’s been a year where Sept. 1st came around and I didn’t at least think about it. 

Chasing Footsteps

Great story. Only PJ fans understand! There is nothing like “the show” which essentially impacts your life in ways words can only try to explain. 

cp3iverson

Still cant understand how this night was 20 yrs ago. 

Chasing Footsteps

That 2000 tour was fantastic!

Crew

My first boot, and still my absolute favorite live version of Black.  

That solo is nigh-untouchable!  

Ledbetterman10

Crew said:

My first boot, and still my absolute favorite live version of Black.  

That solo is nigh-untouchable!  

I mentioned that it was a perfect setlist for a first show, so it makes for a perfect setlist for a first boot. 

And yeah, killer Black solo. Another Black solo from I show I attended that I'd highly recommend is State College '03. 

eeriepadave

I think my friend was at this show. they played one of his favorite songs, Breath that night. I have the boot to the next night.