Honest question

smile6680

droptheleash9 said:

PJINFLA said:

Whatever the political opinions of Ed, Pearl Jam, or any other band for that matter have they are not going to influence my views at all. So I could definitely do without it at live shows. If they want to go on a spoken word tour and share all of their political and social opinions then go for it.

Also a fair point. That's why it was always funny to me when people seemed convinced Pearl Jam will play swing/battleground states in election years. Most folks' minds are already made up going into a show...Ed talking about issues probably isn't going to sway concertgoers one way or the other. Couple that with the limited scope of a concert, which has about 10-20 thousand attendees, and that line of thinking always seemed a tad off base to me.

I would also point out we are an aging fan base. I would imagine a high percentage of the fan base is at or above 40 years old. Nor many people are changing their views over what is being said at a concert. 
If people aren't up on the issues or not voting by the time they are 40. They probably aren't going to start. At least not in big numbers.

tylermoore

JojoRice said:

I don't mind it but I'd rather hear more music instead of a 5 or 6 minute rant.  Especially with these shorter setlists!

You have to realize, especially at this age, the talking is more so for the break than it is to talk. That maybe more untrue with PJ since Ed has always talked, but a lot of bands talk in between songs simply to catch their breath.  

fsu2626

I'm glad the band expresses their beliefs. Their caring and honesty sets them apart 

lastexitlondon

2-feign-reluctance said:

Not bothered by any of it. Life is too fucking short to be zeroing in on what you don’t like. 

Well said my friend 

Abe Froman

It’s been happening since the beginning with PJ so I definitely don’t let it bother me.  In general I don’t like it though. Never have. I go to concerts and sporting events to get away from thinking about politics and everyday bullshit.  I don’t need the opinion of a rock star on stage about politics. Even more so these days with how polarized everything is, I just want to enjoy the music and have a good time. 

Hobbes

I impatiently wait for Ed to end his rant and play "Evenflow" so that I can go to the bathroom.

DissidentRival74

I probably enjoyed it a lot more in my youth, but as I've gotten older not so much.  However, I've come to expect it at the shows and it's whatever nowadays.  I've yet to hear him say anything that makes me want to have nothing to do with the band, and honestly don't really ever see that happening.  As many have said, we're all adults - opinions differ - and that's ok.  Small price to pay to hear my favorite band play in person.

HughFreakingDillon

I don't mind a lead singer chatting with the audience in between songs, but to be honest, I prefer stuff about the music; a story behind a song, a memory that is invoked by the performance, etc. But Ed hasn't been too overly political at any of the shows I've been at (just his EB thing). most of his stage banter has been about neil young or how awesome our beer is. 

danny

could do without it the same with the covers they play and less ten 

2-feign-reluctance

HughFreakingDillon said:

I don't mind a lead singer chatting with the audience in between songs, but to be honest, I prefer stuff about the music; a story behind a song, a memory that is invoked by the performance, etc. But Ed hasn't been too overly political at any of the shows I've been at (just his EB thing). most of his stage banter has been about neil young or how awesome our beer is. 

Have a listen to the bootlegs 2016 to present. Way more balanced and also his humor on stage has really been so much fun to listen to! 

Go Animal

I appreciate them using their voice & platform to fight for things that should be no-brainers (but the recent Bill Murray defense rant was pretty cringe. Love Bill's movies, but he's been known to be handsy & kind of a jerk sometimes).

AlaG

Most of their songs are political. To say you'd rather hear them talk about the music if they need a break from playing tunes...the political "rants" are very rarely entirely disconnected from the next song on the setlist.

Lost In Ohio

mcgruff10 said:

Imho sometimes ed goes on these long tangents to give everyone in the band a much needed break.  

This is true. They'll grab a drink or a towel, whatever they need. Not that they need more than about 30 seconds to switch guitars, but it also allows that time or chat with a tech, etc.

southernmanfan

fsu2626 said:

I'm glad the band expresses their beliefs. Their caring and honesty sets them apart 

Absolutely agree. 

hrd2imgn

no, I go to a show to hear music, not be lectured by a 1%'r pretending to be otherwise.  I know he has done it for an eternity, I accept it, but he has been outright mean at times to the very people who support him and his band. He speaks as if he has some moral high ground to talk down to dissenting opinions.  he can be passionate about whatever cause he wants, but leave it for another time, not at a concert I paid a lot of money to come hear you SING at. I would rather hear another song, than another anti-repub, anti-pro-life, anti-conservative, anti-American speech.

I don't mind talk about a song, a story related to the place, and old memory etc, but stop being a political activist and start being a musician is all I can think of when he starts in on whatever bug is up.  I don't care if Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, John Lennon or whatever artists in the past does it, I DO NOT PREFER IT

AlaG

hrd2imgn said:

no, I go to a show to hear music, not be lectured by a 1%'r pretending to be otherwise.  I know he has done it for an eternity, I accept it, but he has been outright mean at times to the very people who support him and his band. He speaks as if he has some moral high ground to talk down to dissenting opinions.  he can be passionate about whatever cause he wants, but leave it for another time, not at a concert I paid a lot of money to come hear you SING at. I would rather hear another song, than another anti-repub, anti-pro-life, anti-conservative, anti-American speech.

I don't mind talk about a song, a story related to the place, and old memory etc, but stop being a political activist and start being a musician is all I can think of when he starts in on whatever bug is up.  I don't care if Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, John Lennon or whatever artists in the past does it, I DO NOT PREFER IT

Wonder what this person thinks DTE or Grievance are about.

Go Animal

Or Glorified G, or Porch, or Jeremy, or Why Go, or Daughter, or Leash, or...

Lerxst1992

What I don't understand from the "hate politics " crowd, is so many words in the PJ discography,  is written with a very left leaning perspective. It is who they are,  and it bleeds through into their art regardless of whether Ed goes on a 5 min tear about his country possibly slipping away during a break.

Not every tune is as incredibly bold as DTE, but the influence is there so often

Tim Simmons

The reality is everyone has grown up. The band and the fans. We’ve all changed. And like any relationship that’s grows and changes, people have different POV. But people have their happy memories and maybe there is love still there. But in this case, many fans who are or became more conservative over the past 30 years, are trying to circle the square of being a fan in 2022, where the political environment is more charged. Sometimes people make it work, sometimes it’s part of the process of letting go. 

tschav

Anything that keeps a show from being rehearsed and expected is appreciated, especially improvised lyrics and occasional timely observations. 

I’m more concerned about hearing reruns of stories potentially scratching Red Mosquito off the setlist.