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Shorter sets....and why it's the best thing ever!
jonbond1779
London, UK Posts: 1,558
in The Porch
Here me out. I miss the days of the 3hr+ shows and it seems like the band are settling into a new live routine in terms of setlist length and type. I think this is probably a good thing as they are looking forward and thinking longevity in terms of staying a band and touring.
When I first saw the sets coming out of the recent Euro tour I was kind of disappointed in the fact the sets were relatively shorter than in previous years but I managed to go to both London BST and the final Amsterdam shows - and upon reflection, I think these shorter sets are the best thing that PJ could have done...and here's why...
Also re Josh K (I was dubious at first) - great addition on tour adds a new dimension. (thats prob another thread)
What are your thoughts???
When I first saw the sets coming out of the recent Euro tour I was kind of disappointed in the fact the sets were relatively shorter than in previous years but I managed to go to both London BST and the final Amsterdam shows - and upon reflection, I think these shorter sets are the best thing that PJ could have done...and here's why...
- The Euro shows I saw were electric (my best experience being London Night 2). Did not feel shortchanged at all.
- Setlists were becoming formulaic - with standard 'core' openers and encore closers etc.
- Band has the freedom/ more likely to open sets with totally 'new' songs that we've never (or rarely) see as openers - Eg Euro 22 - Daughter, NAIS & Betterman.
- Songs will become much rarer live.
- Sets will be more eclectic & diverse.
- Now PJ can, at times look to do those 2.5hr / 3hr shows at points on certain tours (maybe hoping on my part).
Also re Josh K (I was dubious at first) - great addition on tour adds a new dimension. (thats prob another thread)
What are your thoughts???
"Bring it back, to the clean form. To the pure form"
28/09/04 - Boston, 20/04/06 - London [\\mm//Astoria\\mm//] - 18/06/07 - Wembley Arena, 11/08/09 - London [\\mm//Shepherds Bush Empire\\mm//],18/08/09 - 02 Arena, 25/06/10 - Hyde Park, 26/06/12 - Amsterdam, 27/06/12 - Amsterdam, 08/07/14 - Leeds,11/07/14 - Milton Keynes, 13/06/18 - Amsterdam, 18/06/18 - London 02 Arena, 17/07/18 - London 02 Arena, 08/08/22 - Hyde Park, 9/08/22 - Hyde Park - 25/08/22 - Amsterdam, 29/07/24 - London {*Tottenham Stadium TBC*}
28/09/04 - Boston, 20/04/06 - London [\\mm//Astoria\\mm//] - 18/06/07 - Wembley Arena, 11/08/09 - London [\\mm//Shepherds Bush Empire\\mm//],18/08/09 - 02 Arena, 25/06/10 - Hyde Park, 26/06/12 - Amsterdam, 27/06/12 - Amsterdam, 08/07/14 - Leeds,11/07/14 - Milton Keynes, 13/06/18 - Amsterdam, 18/06/18 - London 02 Arena, 17/07/18 - London 02 Arena, 08/08/22 - Hyde Park, 9/08/22 - Hyde Park - 25/08/22 - Amsterdam, 29/07/24 - London {*Tottenham Stadium TBC*}
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Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
Otherwise, no. I prefer the stadium shows where it's like 7 per year and you are forced to travel.
This is a new PJ, and it's the best band they have been since the era I experienced the epic Bonnaroo and Spectrum shows. Fans saying they should pick up the tempo to add songs...No. That was a big problem with their sets in the years leading up to the pandemic. Speeding up, and killing grooves, just to appease setlist box-checkers. Destroying Eds voice in the process and having MC cramping during the encores. Hitting the drums like an old man because hes been forced to drum 35 songs in 3 hours at 60 years old. It's like the people who watch Netflix at 1.5x speed so they can jam as much content into their heads as humanly possible, instead of respecting the artists intent when it comes to pacing.
Pearl Jam were great at Ohana. MC totally surprised me that night because he clearly re-learned every song in the catalogue during the pandemic. If you remember, he had like 2 or 3 weeks to learn these songs in 99, and never enough time off since to fix it. He saved songs like Evenflow by bringing them back to their original groove. Piss break no-more, my friends, that shit rocked and again in QC. Nobody left.
Embrace this new band, Jammers, because they sound fucking amazing. Maybe, just maybe, better than they ever have. Ed has slowed down, in an amazing way, and connects with every pair of eyes in the pit. So please, try to ease up on criticizing the # of songs. It is a very positive change, and you have to be there to experience it.
- Less dates (ballpark shows) = Long shows padded with covers and stories
- More dates (arena shows) = Mixing in rarities, minimal covers, unique arrangements (like Quebec acoustic set), and a good chance two dates back to back have little overlap
Cincinnati 2014
Greenville 2016
(Raleigh 2016)
Columbia 2016
Once again I think most of us are okay with shorter setlist BUT it least mix it up.
Hearing 10 repeats from the night before is boring AF.
100% agree. All the Ten songs except release should be played less IMHO. There are so many other songs I would like to hear.
One possible reason with them keeping it shorter and the shows more spaced out day to day is the health and wellbeing of the members, not only Eddie. The friendship between Matt Cameron and Taylor Hawkins is well documented. With the untimely passing of Hawkins and his heart to heart conversations with Cameron about the touring schedule having potentially a negative effect had to have made a decision in PJ's touring process. Speaking for myself, I'm grateful there still touring and still creating music. It's a rare thing to have a rock band with this longevity and creativeness.
01. Daughter
02. Footsteps
03. Buckle Up
04. Other Side
05. Off He Goes
For me personally, this is the absolute worst way a PJ concert can begin. And it’s nothing against these particular songs or songs with similar tempos (Sometimes, Release, Long Road, fucking Low Light). It’s just too many to start the show with. The day of the show comes, you’re all excited, anticipation builds through the day, the band comes out….and plays a couple lullabies that sucks the excitement out of the room. I’d prefer a little more “Pearl JAM” at the top of the shows, and a little less “Pearl Adult Contemporary.”
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
I would love the 3 hour show to come back. I think I would leave at 2.5 hours and skip the predictable last encore. Perfect for me! Unfortunately, now the predictable last encore starts with Porch in the 17 slot about 1.5 hours in.
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com