*** Chicago, IL 2 Fanviews Here 9/7/23 ***

THEBIBLEISTEN

I can’t see how anyone can complain about the last 2 shows. They looked amazing from a setlist perspective. People just love to nitpick, it’s sad. The boys are bringing it. Happy for those who got to see these shows live! 

troubledsoulsuniteblog

Well, that was fun.

What an awesome two nights of Pearl Jam. Was only going to go to the first but ended up scoring a ticket to night 2, so 4.5 hours of sleep later here I am back at work but with a big smile on my face.

Last night really really strong. Maybe not my fave show of all time (hard to beat Merrieweather in 2000, Fenway 1 in 2018, and Spectrum 4 in 2009) but definitely in the top 5. 

Here's the thing - there were no misses. I keep looking through the setlist to find out which is the best stretch to focus on and damn it if I keep coming back to the entire show being without a setlist hole.

I loved the opener of Elderly Woman, Daughter, Come Back - and the tribute of Come Back to the parents who lost a child really resonated and gave me all the feels. Coming into Present Tense afterwards really got the crowd going (especially in section 111) and then things took off from there. I will say that the newer songs are falling more flat for me, but that's par for the course. The stretch of Tremor Chris -> Even Flow -> Green Disease -> Deep -> Black -> Lukin -> Porch to close out the first set was unbelievable. And then they didn't let up for the encore either. I could've done without Street Fighting Man, but otherwise it was perfect. I thought I was going to be bummed to get repeats, but Alive and Even Flow are two of their strongest live songs and they play them so well. I truly don't understand why people take bathroom/merch/beer/sitting breaks during Even Flow. I've seen it at every one of my 17 shows and I still love it so much and will fight anyone who disagrees. Mike just really gets to be Mike during those two songs and that makes me happy. 

The sound was better last night for me than Tuesday, but I think that's location based (111 vs. 319). But I still felt like Mike was turned up way too high in the mix and Stone way too low - which is a damn shame. All the love to Mike and his guitar-god talents - but Stone is truly the backbone of every song and I needed to hear him better.

I definitely miss the second encore, but they still managed to fit in a ton in 24 songs as opposed to 30. These guys are getting old and need to take it easier to make it through a run of shows, and honestly so are the fans. Sidenote - I've noticed the bathroom lines for the Men's room have been longer than I've ever seen. One guy was asking why, and I'm pretty sure it's because everyone is 40+ and has to go every 2 hours. 

Urinary concerns aside, this was a perfect 2-show run for me. Got in a few new ones, a bunch of mid-era PJ, and a ton from the early albums. The two shows complemented each other perfectly and were both excellent in their own ways. The Ten fan in me loved N2, but the mid-era fan had me falling for N1. If I had to decide on the better show... why not both? 

Oh - and the crowd! N2 was awesome for me, but that was where I was (111 vs. 319). Sure, there are people sitting down more than 20 years ago, but there are people in their 60s at these shows so give them a break. The crowds really brought it both nights and I loved my row in section 111 (row 17 shout out!). Bunch of good dudes just super stoked to hear these songs.

Enjoy the rest of the tour.

bigdeath

What an amazing show. Killer setlist and the band had so much energy. Was in section 120 and it was so cool to see the band from a different angle. 

Amazing to see Green Disease, Tremor Christ, Present Tense and Marker In The Sand. 

Come Back is one of my least favorite songs and I usually skip it when it comes on. However when they played it last night I got goose bumps and felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. An hour after the show my Dad passed away. That song will definitely have a new perspective. 

troubledsoulsuniteblog

bigdeath said:

What an amazing show. Killer setlist and the band had so much energy. Was in section 120 and it was so cool to see the band from a different angle. 

Amazing to see Green Disease, Tremor Christ, Present Tense and Marker In The Sand. 

Come Back is one of my least favorite songs and I usually skip it when it comes on. However when they played it last night I got goose bumps and felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. An hour after the show my Dad passed away. That song will definitely have a new perspective. 

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad.

Jcanr20

THEBIBLEISTEN said:

I can’t see how anyone can complain about the last 2 shows. They looked amazing from a setlist perspective. People just love to nitpick, it’s sad. The boys are bringing it. Happy for those who got to see these shows live! 

I don't see anyone complaining.

ddeschler

jimjam1982 said:

Great show. Great set. Chelios stuff was a damper and unnecessary delay. Threw off the whole encore and some of the energy was sapped. 

I was surprised they did a long thing to honor Rocky Wurtz, but didn't mention Beth Murphy either night.  Questionable.  Mike was the first to pull off the jersey and fling it into the crowd, which I appreciated.  Ed is way over the top in his Chelios (a questionable individual) love.  Was surprised the show ended a fair bit earlier than Tuesday.  I don't know why it did.  Maybe someone else does?

Jcanr20

bigdeath said:

What an amazing show. Killer setlist and the band had so much energy. Was in section 120 and it was so cool to see the band from a different angle. 

Amazing to see Green Disease, Tremor Christ, Present Tense and Marker In The Sand. 

Come Back is one of my least favorite songs and I usually skip it when it comes on. However when they played it last night I got goose bumps and felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. An hour after the show my Dad passed away. That song will definitely have a new perspective. 

I am so sorry for your loss.

jonsey30

What a night!  I’m still buzzing.  First GA experience, and it was better than I expected. Super close, fun group around us, made for a fun day-long event.  I will especially miss the hottie that was jamming her ass into my D while dancing.  

troubledsoulsuniteblog

ddeschler said:

jimjam1982 said:

Great show. Great set. Chelios stuff was a damper and unnecessary delay. Threw off the whole encore and some of the energy was sapped. 

I was surprised they did a long thing to honor Rocky Wurtz, but didn't mention Beth Murphy either night.  Questionable.  Mike was the first to pull off the jersey and fling it into the crowd, which I appreciated.  Ed is way over the top in his Chelios (a questionable individual) love.  Was surprised the show ended a fair bit earlier than Tuesday.  I don't know why it did.  Maybe someone else does?

I was surprised too. But I guess they're sticking to this 24 song setlist. They probably expected the Chelios thing to take longer.
And I agree about honoring Rocky seeming weird - why take the time to honor a billionaire sports owner? I have no issue with Wirtz, but it was definitely a stark contrast to the Tuesday night honorees - the Evanston family who raised 5 kids in his Grandma's old apartment. It also felt pretty un-heartfelt, as he was reading from a script. The Chelios thing too - very scripted and almost like they had to do it? No clue.
Regardless, I have no problem filling the encore dead time with this stuff. Just felt more... plastic this time around.

lastexitlondon

CROJAM95 said:

mcgruff10 said:

That is one smokin set list!  Swap 7 oclock with something else and it's pretty near perfection.  

You Are wouldve taken to next level

This

lastexitlondon

Great pictures. Also some great quality videos on YouTube. Wonderful to vicariously live it from a far

mr bungle

tschav said:

Fantastic rail setup for the night, easygoing to get there and a very fun GA crowd around me.

Reminds me why I enjoy seeing this band so much, and while there’s shorter setlists I’ve really liked the approach with touching multiple albums and much less covers.

Also didn’t hurt to see Chelios get some love tonight.

Is that Mitch Mcconell standing next to Eddie?

Jcanr20

ddeschler said:

jimjam1982 said:

Great show. Great set. Chelios stuff was a damper and unnecessary delay. Threw off the whole encore and some of the energy was sapped. 

I was surprised they did a long thing to honor Rocky Wurtz, but didn't mention Beth Murphy either night.  Questionable.  Mike was the first to pull off the jersey and fling it into the crowd, which I appreciated.  Ed is way over the top in his Chelios (a questionable individual) love.  Was surprised the show ended a fair bit earlier than Tuesday.  I don't know why it did.  Maybe someone else does?

Yes and the Blackhawks/Rocky had a sexual abuse scandal that was handled terribly as well. There were some in Chicago sports media that felt it tarnished the more recent championships. 

BALLBOY

Tuesday was great getting 4 songs for the first time but Thursday actually was better as I got the last 3 Tremor PT & Garden on my wish-list plus Green Disease & Deep. WTF when the opening for Garden started I was delirious with joy. They keep taking the music to different levels with mixing it up so much each night. What band & what a crowd 👏 & thank you St Paul & Chicago for making this last minute trip so work while. 

boilermcleod

That show was incredible.  Opening with Small Town really got the crowd into it early.  They played 8/10 songs off of Ten which was sweet.  I love hearing Deep and Garden live.  The Present Tense transition from sitting to rocking was so badass.  Now we wait until their next run.  This was an amazing set of Chicago shows and cant wait until they come back again. Keep on Rocking!

hrd2imgn

bigdeath said:

What an amazing show. Killer setlist and the band had so much energy. Was in section 120 and it was so cool to see the band from a different angle. 

Amazing to see Green Disease, Tremor Christ, Present Tense and Marker In The Sand. 

Come Back is one of my least favorite songs and I usually skip it when it comes on. However when they played it last night I got goose bumps and felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. An hour after the show my Dad passed away. That song will definitely have a new perspective. 

God bless, condolences for your family

Merkin Baller

Jcanr20 said:

ddeschler said:

jimjam1982 said:

Great show. Great set. Chelios stuff was a damper and unnecessary delay. Threw off the whole encore and some of the energy was sapped. 

I was surprised they did a long thing to honor Rocky Wurtz, but didn't mention Beth Murphy either night.  Questionable.  Mike was the first to pull off the jersey and fling it into the crowd, which I appreciated.  Ed is way over the top in his Chelios (a questionable individual) love.  Was surprised the show ended a fair bit earlier than Tuesday.  I don't know why it did.  Maybe someone else does?

Yes and the Blackhawks/Rocky had a sexual abuse scandal that was handled terribly as well. There were some in Chicago sports media that felt it tarnished the more recent championships. 

It blows my mind at how much that scandal was swept under the rug / how little it was talked about on the national stage. 

mrussel1

2-feign-reluctance said:

So much bliss this morning! Love to see it! Can’t wait for the bootlegs! 

I got the whole show...

Great show, definitely the best since Camden, maybe the best since Seattle 2 in 2018.  They were really on their game from set list development to the pace of the show, etc.  All around great.

The bad:  I thought the compliments to the Wirtz family that Ed said were not just over the top, but wrong.  To rever Rocky Wirtz that way, after the Kyle Beach situation, the way the franchise handled it and then compounding it with that terrible "town hall" where Rocky tells a reporter that questions about how they handle sexual assault accusations in the future are "none of his business" (and more).  I don't know what Ed was thinking.  I'm not saying he had to rip the family, but he certainly didn't need to lead a cheer in Rocky's name.  

Renfield

jonsey30 said:

What a night!  I’m still buzzing.  First GA experience, and it was better than I expected. Super close, fun group around us, made for a fun day-long event.  I will especially miss the hottie that was jamming her ass into my D while dancing.  

Totally inappropriate comment. You don't deserve to be in GA. 

Jcanr20

mrussel1 said:

2-feign-reluctance said:

So much bliss this morning! Love to see it! Can’t wait for the bootlegs! 

I got the whole show...

Great show, definitely the best since Camden, maybe the best since Seattle 2 in 2018.  They were really on their game from set list development to the pace of the show, etc.  All around great.

The bad:  I thought the compliments to the Wirtz family that Ed said were not just over the top, but wrong.  To rever Rocky Wirtz that way, after the Kyle Beach situation, the way the franchise handled it and then compounding it with that terrible "town hall" where Rocky tells a reporter that questions about how they handle sexual assault accusations in the future are "none of his business" (and more).  I don't know what Ed was thinking.  I'm not saying he had to rip the family, but he certainly didn't need to lead a cheer in Rocky's name.  

Exactly. Maybe Ed and the band just aren't familiar with it. I mean Rocky was a huge reason the Hawks became successful when his Dad died but that Beach thing really did a number on him in Chicago. Eddie gets a response because he asks for it, not so much because the fans give a hoot.