Shorter sets....and why it's the best thing ever!

OceansJenny

on2legs said:

I think the preference for no opener is based on the idea that it will leave more time for Pearl Jam to play if there’s only one band on the bill.  

We know it doesn’t though. They take the stage super late even without an opener. At least we have something to watch during all that dead time.

on2legs

OceansJenny said:

on2legs said:

I think the preference for no opener is based on the idea that it will leave more time for Pearl Jam to play if there’s only one band on the bill.  

We know it doesn’t though. They take the stage super late even without an opener. At least we have something to watch during all that dead time.

Agreed.  I was just pointing out that no one is fundamentally against having an opening band as implied by the post about telling people to just skip it if you don’t want to watch.  People are against an opening band because they feel it cuts  into the band’s set time. 

For the record.  I couldn’t care less either way.  Pearl Jam is going to play exactly what they want with or without an opening band.  And that’s fine with me. 

Gern Blansten

Abe Froman said:

It is definitely not the best thing ever. It is a drastic change in format from what fans are accustomed too. Six to ten less songs per show and less variety in sets is a very different experience. Don’t get me wrong I am still super excited about seeing two shows coming up and still think pj is the best live band in the world. But I am trying to lower my expectations of what I have seen the past 20 years. 

Same...I've said on here before that I'm not really complaining, I'm just curious as to what the reason is...but maybe that's none of our business.

I'm going to see them in Nash/Louisville and saw them at both OAK shows. They continue to sound better with each show in my opinion.

Ledbetterman10

Ledbetterman10 said:

I don’t think I’ll mind a shorter set at Camden. But one setlist-related thing that I hate is the amount of slow-tempo songs at the top. I trace the start of this awful trend back to about 2013. They haven’t done it at every single show since then. But they sure do it a lot compared to pre-2013. 

Here’s the start of the set in Quebec a few days ago for example…..

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.”

And the trend continues. First five songs in Hamilton last night....

01. Oceans
02. Nothingman
03. Yellow Moon
04. Man Of The Hour
05. Retrograde

lfitzpatrick9

Ledbetterman10 said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

I don’t think I’ll mind a shorter set at Camden. But one setlist-related thing that I hate is the amount of slow-tempo songs at the top. I trace the start of this awful trend back to about 2013. They haven’t done it at every single show since then. But they sure do it a lot compared to pre-2013. 

Here’s the start of the set in Quebec a few days ago for example…..

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.”

And the trend continues. First five songs in Hamilton last night....

01. Oceans
02. Nothingman
03. Yellow Moon
04. Man Of The Hour
05. Retrograde

I’m fine with starting off mellow if you end the show with some absolute ragers. But last nights show I would’ve been getting a beer for those songs

Cropduster-80

It is what it is and Gigaton isn’t Ten.  And so it goes.
change happens no matter if you like it or not. 

Make your decisions on the band based on now, not the band of a decade or more ago 

Douglas12373

Of all of the complaints I read about PJ, the "I hate when they jam" is the most confusing one of all. So, just come out and play it exactly like they did on the record? Why even go to a show if that's what you want to hear? I'd throw the "why do they play (x song) so fast" in that same bucket. I see bands live to get something I don't get from the record. To each their own, not intended to be a critique of anyone's preferences

lfitzpatrick9

Cropduster-80 said:

It is what it is and Gigaton isn’t Ten.  And so it goes.
change happens no matter if you like it or not. 

Make your decisions on the band based on now, not the band of a decade or more ago 

Yeah of course I’m not pissed I was just stating my personal opinion. They still rule and put on amazing live performances. 

Merkin Baller

Douglas12373 said:

Of all of the complaints I read about PJ, the "I hate when they jam" is the most confusing one of all. So, just come out and play it exactly like they did on the record? Why even go to a show if that's what you want to hear? I'd throw the "why do they play (x song) so fast" in that same bucket. I see bands live to get something I don't get from the record. To each their own, not intended to be a critique of anyone's preferences

After seeing them jam out Porch more times than I can recall, yeah... I would rather hear the studio version of it, and another song rather than a big jam in the middle to close out the first set. It's become formulaic at this point,

Merkin Baller

The norm for Pearl Jam up until this tour was 30 +/- songs a night. This was the bar they set for themselves. 

Comparing them now to bands that only play 17 songs a night is silly. The length of their set lists was one of the staples to their epic live shows over the last 20 years. It's a fair and valid criticism that they're now playing significantly fewer songs a night. Does that mean shorter sets can't be great shows? No, not at all, but pointing out this big change to their live shows isn't unfair or unwarranted. 

With that being said, if shorter setlists are going to prolong their career, or lend to them having more energy / playing better shows at the end of the tour, I'm all for it, do what needs to be done to keep playing live. I want this band around for as long as possible. 

Next time I see PJ, I'm going to be paying more money for less of an experience than I got in years past. That sucks. But they're still one of my favorite bands, so I'll take it. More than anything I'm just happy they're still around & doing their thing. 

Gern Blansten

I'm wondering if they are taking turns with setlists....why the change from the more standard sets to last night (and/or the last few shows)? 

Maybe I put too much thought into this shit.

Cropduster-80

lfitzpatrick9 said:

Cropduster-80 said:

It is what it is and Gigaton isn’t Ten.  And so it goes.
change happens no matter if you like it or not. 

Make your decisions on the band based on now, not the band of a decade or more ago 

Yeah of course I’m not pissed I was just stating my personal opinion. They still rule and put on amazing live performances. 

I agree with that. I’m happy they are still touring at all to be honest.  Doesn’t matter to me if they are pacing themselves as Ed’s voice sounds consistently rougher or they are just playing what they want to play. No complaints from me. I’d go to a 90 minute set too 

lfitzpatrick9

Cropduster-80 said:

lfitzpatrick9 said:

Cropduster-80 said:

It is what it is and Gigaton isn’t Ten.  And so it goes.
change happens no matter if you like it or not. 

Make your decisions on the band based on now, not the band of a decade or more ago 

Yeah of course I’m not pissed I was just stating my personal opinion. They still rule and put on amazing live performances. 

I agree with that. I’m happy they are still touring at all to be honest.  Doesn’t matter to me if they are pacing themselves as Ed’s voice sounds consistently rougher or they are just playing what they want to play. No complaints from me. I’d go to a 90 minute set too 

100% if this means they last longer by playing shorter and more mellow songs to keep his voice im still game. 

reedrothchild

Douglas12373 said:

Of all of the complaints I read about PJ, the "I hate when they jam" is the most confusing one of all. So, just come out and play it exactly like they did on the record? Why even go to a show if that's what you want to hear? I'd throw the "why do they play (x song) so fast" in that same bucket. I see bands live to get something I don't get from the record. To each their own, not intended to be a critique of anyone's preferences

I agree this one is baffling to me.  And seriously why not just stay home and listen to the album if you want to hear it exactly as it was recorded? It'll sound better that way too since Ed's voice was much stronger 20 years ago.  To me the jamming, tags, and nuances live are what separate PJ from most other rock bands.  I'll gladly take Even Flow, Porch, RVM, C-Mary, Immortality, etc. every show if they are heater versions. 

For those they don't enjoy jamming I beg you to check out some classic extended versions of songs:

I've Got a Feeling- Den Haag '92, Orpheum '94
C-Mary- Dallas '03, Ottawa '05
Porch- 3/29/94, Osaka '03
Immortality- 3/6/03
RVM- St. Louis '00, Boston II '06
Better Man- 9/1/00

JBob87

Setlist variety is looking a lot better lately. I can live with shorter sets (for whatever the reason) if the variety is there. 

Yes there are still standard hits that get played every show or every other show but come on, every band that isn't a jam band does that. Gotta play for the more casual fans as well.

My lone remaining "gripe" is I really wish they would play more from Riot Act / Avocado. 

Abe Froman

Posted this in another thread. 

Here is where I am a little bummed about the drastic change in sets. Out of 22-23 songs they are playing around 10 of these staples every show:
Alive, Jeremy, Porch, Small Town, Daughter, Black, Betterman, Given to fly, DTE, Corduroy, Evenflow.  
Plus 3-5 Gigaton songs. 

Plus another 3-5 almost staples like:  
Wishlist, Why Go, RITFW, Ledbetter, Low Light, Not For You, etc 

All of this combined only really leaves room for about 3-5 songs from so many great songs to choose from to fill out the rest of the set. When the sets were 29-33 songs they still did this but we got another 8-10 different songs spread out amongst the hits and staples. I always felt like there was at least a chance to hear some of my absolute favorites (and it happened every show) such as:  Smile, In Hiding, Blood, Of the Earth, Grievance, Comatose, STBC and so many others. Again, I am still pumped about Nashville and STL coming up but have lowered my expectations of what used to be such an epic and unpredictable night of PJ. 

Edit:  last nights set in Hamilton looked a LOT better with 25 songs, no covers and no Betterman Jeremy Evenflow or Small Town. Still plenty of staples for the casual fan but mixed up the rest much better imo

ComeToTX

reedrothchild said:

Douglas12373 said:

Of all of the complaints I read about PJ, the "I hate when they jam" is the most confusing one of all. So, just come out and play it exactly like they did on the record? Why even go to a show if that's what you want to hear? I'd throw the "why do they play (x song) so fast" in that same bucket. I see bands live to get something I don't get from the record. To each their own, not intended to be a critique of anyone's preferences

I agree this one is baffling to me.  And seriously why not just stay home and listen to the album if you want to hear it exactly as it was recorded? It'll sound better that way too since Ed's voice was much stronger 20 years ago.  To me the jamming, tags, and nuances live are what separate PJ from most other rock bands.  I'll gladly take Even Flow, Porch, RVM, C-Mary, Immortality, etc. every show if they are heater versions. 

For those they don't enjoy jamming I beg you to check out some classic extended versions of songs:

I've Got a Feeling- Den Haag '92, Orpheum '94
C-Mary- Dallas '03, Ottawa '05
Porch- 3/29/94, Osaka '03
Immortality- 3/6/03
RVM- St. Louis '00, Boston II '06
Better Man- 9/1/00

I don't think people mind the jamming.  I think people would want a jam on different songs and not the same jam on porch every night.

Merkin Baller

reedrothchild said:

Douglas12373 said:

Of all of the complaints I read about PJ, the "I hate when they jam" is the most confusing one of all. So, just come out and play it exactly like they did on the record? Why even go to a show if that's what you want to hear? I'd throw the "why do they play (x song) so fast" in that same bucket. I see bands live to get something I don't get from the record. To each their own, not intended to be a critique of anyone's preferences

I agree this one is baffling to me.  And seriously why not just stay home and listen to the album if you want to hear it exactly as it was recorded? It'll sound better that way too since Ed's voice was much stronger 20 years ago.  To me the jamming, tags, and nuances live are what separate PJ from most other rock bands.  I'll gladly take Even Flow, Porch, RVM, C-Mary, Immortality, etc. every show if they are heater versions. 

For those they don't enjoy jamming I beg you to check out some classic extended versions of songs:

I've Got a Feeling- Den Haag '92, Orpheum '94
C-Mary- Dallas '03, Ottawa '05
Porch- 3/29/94, Osaka '03
Immortality- 3/6/03
RVM- St. Louis '00, Boston II '06
Better Man- 9/1/00

The most recent of those examples is from 16 years ago. The last time I heard them jam Porch in 2018 it couldn't have felt any more forced or any less organic.

It's ok to switch it up after all these years. 

nicknyr15

Merkin Baller said:

reedrothchild said:

Douglas12373 said:

Of all of the complaints I read about PJ, the "I hate when they jam" is the most confusing one of all. So, just come out and play it exactly like they did on the record? Why even go to a show if that's what you want to hear? I'd throw the "why do they play (x song) so fast" in that same bucket. I see bands live to get something I don't get from the record. To each their own, not intended to be a critique of anyone's preferences

I agree this one is baffling to me.  And seriously why not just stay home and listen to the album if you want to hear it exactly as it was recorded? It'll sound better that way too since Ed's voice was much stronger 20 years ago.  To me the jamming, tags, and nuances live are what separate PJ from most other rock bands.  I'll gladly take Even Flow, Porch, RVM, C-Mary, Immortality, etc. every show if they are heater versions. 

For those they don't enjoy jamming I beg you to check out some classic extended versions of songs:

I've Got a Feeling- Den Haag '92, Orpheum '94
C-Mary- Dallas '03, Ottawa '05
Porch- 3/29/94, Osaka '03
Immortality- 3/6/03
RVM- St. Louis '00, Boston II '06
Better Man- 9/1/00

The most recent of those examples is from 16 years ago. The last time I heard them jam Porch in 2018 it couldn't have felt any more forced or any less organic.

It's ok to switch it up after all these years. 

I’m with you 100% 
random thought but I wish they’d bust out Force of Nature!! When’s the last time and am I the only one that loves that song?

Abe Froman

nicknyr15 said:

Merkin Baller said:

reedrothchild said:

Douglas12373 said:

Of all of the complaints I read about PJ, the "I hate when they jam" is the most confusing one of all. So, just come out and play it exactly like they did on the record? Why even go to a show if that's what you want to hear? I'd throw the "why do they play (x song) so fast" in that same bucket. I see bands live to get something I don't get from the record. To each their own, not intended to be a critique of anyone's preferences

I agree this one is baffling to me.  And seriously why not just stay home and listen to the album if you want to hear it exactly as it was recorded? It'll sound better that way too since Ed's voice was much stronger 20 years ago.  To me the jamming, tags, and nuances live are what separate PJ from most other rock bands.  I'll gladly take Even Flow, Porch, RVM, C-Mary, Immortality, etc. every show if they are heater versions. 

For those they don't enjoy jamming I beg you to check out some classic extended versions of songs:

I've Got a Feeling- Den Haag '92, Orpheum '94
C-Mary- Dallas '03, Ottawa '05
Porch- 3/29/94, Osaka '03
Immortality- 3/6/03
RVM- St. Louis '00, Boston II '06
Better Man- 9/1/00

The most recent of those examples is from 16 years ago. The last time I heard them jam Porch in 2018 it couldn't have felt any more forced or any less organic.

It's ok to switch it up after all these years. 

I’m with you 100% 
random thought but I wish they’d bust out Force of Nature!! When’s the last time and am I the only one that loves that song?

It’s a good song. Only played 11 times and hasn’t been played since 2010 😳