Show/Travel Fatigue = Fight It, or Listen

curmudgeoness

withflyingcolors said:

pledgeagrievance said:

To speak on your question of Have you ever missed a show you could have made? 

A lot since 2016 in Philly, NY and Fenway. No regrets not going. I’m 45 and this year I’m dealing with an illness so I’ll just say we don’t value our health until we don’t have it. I would listen to your body. Sounds like you have a bunch of shows lined up. I would focus on being heathy for those. 

That is the truth. Nothing like a serious illness in yours 40s to adjust perspective (speaking for myself). I did Portland (24 hour trip) and LV1 (48 hour trip) and I basically slept off and on for 24 hours after getting home to Denver from LV1. No regrets but I was exhausted and probably couldn't have done LV2 if I wanted to.
You have Wrigley, MSG, and Ohana - those are going to be incredible. My vote is listen to your body  

While I absolutely agree with "listen to your body," AND "we don't value our health until we don't have it," at this point I'm of a different mind here. 

For many years, we didn't go to shows, due to the demands of work and family (we lived in Seattle in the 90s! Didn't see a single show!). For our 20th anniversary, we planned a trip to Europe (also hadn't had a vacation since our honeymoon) to see PJ in Vienna, Berlin, Oslo and Stockholm. We were turned around in Munich and sent back to the US due to issues with my husband's passport. In the last few years, we've had to sell our PJ concerts due to work demands.

For our 30th, we've had to postpone plans for a nice trip due to work and heath. I've been diagnosed with cancer, so I'll be recovering from surgery the week I had hoped to be in France. Despite that, I'm going to seven shows on the spring tour leg. I'm the woman you see wearing a mask in the venue.

I've had a chronic health issue for about eighteen years; I know what it's like to be in your 30's and get winded walking across a room. Six or seven years ago, my husband and I discussed our priorities and decided that health is most important, because without your health it's hard to do much.  At the same time, my diagnosis this year was a big slap in the face from the universe, reminding me that "there's always next year!" just isn't true.

So, what are your priorities? If live music is important to you, as it is to me, what changes can you make that will allow you to keep doing what you love to do? That might mean: eating better; drinking less; losing some of the extra weight you're carrying around; get better shoes (I'm a runner. I take ALL of my footwear seriously!); wear calf sleeves or compression socks; being content with hanging in the back of the pit or getting reserved seating; get more regular exercise; spend on upgraded experiences, whether that means more expensive airplane seats or buying merch online after the shows or spending more on better food.

I know some people in their 80s who get out and go to a lot -- a LOT -- more shows than we do. Their stamina is impressive! I cannot keep up with them. They also aren't waiting in GA lines all day or eating garbage. You will need to examine your priorities and make corresponding compromises, whether  that means going to fewer shows or making lifestyle changes that allow you to keep going to as many concerts as possible.

SVRDhand13

Eventually you'll have an eternity to rest.... go crazy while you're here! (coming from a middle aged man who struggles to get out of bed every day lol) 

Edved007

iwasatpj20 said:

I always get a hotel room when traveling to the shows.  I want to sleep after the show and not be a complete mess heading back home.

I never travel back home via plane after a show.

I learned this lesson the hard way after Denver 14. Had already done Detroit, Moline, and Milwaukee.  Those shows were so epic I had to add Denver so last min I flew out there the day of the show and had to come right back. Met Mike walking around town, then they dropped a 40 burger and I almost missed my red eye home. I don't regret it, but never never again. 

With age comes the wisdom so they say, I'm slowly evolving into the quality vs quantity realm...don't mean quality of shows, but of the trips themselves. I'd rather plan a relaxing get away with a couple shows than an insane sprint to catch as many as I can.

SVRDhand13

wrong thread

Planet of Sound

Sounds like a plan.  

I can still get flights to Dublin for about US$25 each way, but I’m travelling to Manchester the following day and running around with my young kids for 3 days before Manchester gig, and rushing to and from Dublin the day before that trip is a recipe for ruining our Manc trip.  That and the cost of flights isn’t the issue, rather gig ticket, what to do until 7am flight, food and drink costs etc. on top.

jjflash

Good, honest question @Go Animal and props for listening to your body re: LA.

As long as it doesn't put your body/mind into an absolute deficit, or create a kerfuffle w/ your wife/partner/kids/work/etc, I'm generally in the @pdalowsky camp and say 'Go for it!'. Back in '13 b/c of a blistering work schedule I bailed on the Charlottesville show, to which by buddy and I had GA tix, and have since wished I could go back tell my old self to make that trip. I couldn't tell you - and don't remember - what work specifics were happening back then BUT I could recite to you the setlist from an epic show I missed;)

The older I get (51yo) the more often I pull the plug on tickets, almost exclusively to local shows tho. The whole thing with ticket sales happening months before shows is an entirely different discussion and usually is the primary contributor to me choosing to eat/sell/give away tix. Life sometimes simply gets in the way.

I know the fatigue you describe, however it's not band-specific. The past few years I've felt it towards the end of the year when bands' touring schedules slow down and I've accumulated a bunch of away time chasing them around. I've been averaging 20+ shows a year for the past few years and come October my tank is tilting towards empty. A good winter's hibernation does the trick and, come spring, it's GO time again Sometimes, tho, it's a quick May hibernation like yours that also does the trick!

schaefferlax

Frankly, the setlists are getting short enough that I am only going to travel if the show is in a city I really want to visit

meistereder

One of the lessons I’ve learned in life is that I have absolutely zero regrets about all the things I did when I was younger — traveling to shows, traveling in general, staying out late, all those things.  Now that I am 50 (still feel pretty young), I can look back at those times with happiness and take pleasure in the more relaxed pastimes I take part in. There is nothing sadder than the opposite - when older people have regrets about things they did not do when they had the chance and were younger. Think putting all your stock into retirement (not just financially, but the times not experienced).  Sometimes it works out - there are people who don’t do any traveling for example until they are retired, and they time it perfectly and get lucky that they haven’t been hit with any health issues. But I’ve seen too much of the inverse. I write this as my wife and I are in a flight to Hawaii, and I did NOT go to LA night 2 because we had an early flight. And although the set list was amazing and it would have been fun, I have no regrets. 

jjflash

meistereder said:

One of the lessons I’ve learned in life is that I have absolutely zero regrets about all the things I did when I was younger — traveling to shows, traveling in general, staying out late, all those things.  Now that I am 50 (still feel pretty young), I can look back at those times with happiness and take pleasure in the more relaxed pastimes I take part in. There is nothing sadder than the opposite - when older people have regrets about things they did not do when they had the chance and were younger. Think putting all your stock into retirement (not just financially, but the times not experienced).  Sometimes it works out - there are people who don’t do any traveling for example until they are retired, and they time it perfectly and get lucky that they haven’t been hit with any health issues. But I’ve seen too much of the inverse. I write this as my wife and I are in a flight to Hawaii, and I did NOT go to LA night 2 because we had an early flight. And although the set list was amazing and it would have been fun, I have no regrets. 

Good perspective. Hope you and the Mrs. have a blast in Hawaii!

EL91640

meistereder said:

One of the lessons I’ve learned in life is that I have absolutely zero regrets about all the things I did when I was younger — traveling to shows, traveling in general, staying out late, all those things.  Now that I am 50 (still feel pretty young), I can look back at those times with happiness and take pleasure in the more relaxed pastimes I take part in. There is nothing sadder than the opposite - when older people have regrets about things they did not do when they had the chance and were younger. Think putting all your stock into retirement (not just financially, but the times not experienced).  Sometimes it works out - there are people who don’t do any traveling for example until they are retired, and they time it perfectly and get lucky that they haven’t been hit with any health issues. But I’ve seen too much of the inverse. I write this as my wife and I are in a flight to Hawaii, and I did NOT go to LA night 2 because we had an early flight. And although the set list was amazing and it would have been fun, I have no regrets. 

Love this. Saw a simple quote recently that said I'd rather have my life be a bunch of oh wells than what ifs 

NEweather

Several of us in my family are caregivers, so going to shows has been impacted by this. I'm older now, I was the parent who took my then teens to see Pearl Jam in the 90's. I kept on going to see them live over these years, because I love them, and love them Live. So the Bridge School Benefits were an annual feature, until they ended.  Coachella days were 06, 07, and 09. Outside Lands were 09, '11, '12.  A couple of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in there, and a few Aftershocks since, before covid.  Since covid, Ohana Encore, and PJ shows in '22, and just two PJ shows in '24 with one of those being Bottlerock on Saturday. Do I want to see more? Yes, but it'll take a plan that may not fit scheduling.  Lately I wonder could Bottlerock be the last time I see Pearl Jam Live?  I hope not. But I am thankful for all the shows. Thankful my now young adult granddaughter has gone with me to Pearl Jam shows since '21-we've had a blast.  Onward, and wishing you all have enjoyable experiences seeing Pearl Jam Live as you continue. Show/ travel fatigue is a real thing- may you find your way around it- and go to their shows, and be pleased that you did. I'm glad to hear there have been a lot of first-timers, too. 🔥💘🔥😁

pistol3

LBCeddie said:

Go Animal said:

PJNB said:

I think as we get older it is smart to listen to your body. 

If you normally drink or do any kind of drugs before a show maybe don’t do that at all and hit the LA shows. Also skip merch. Always skip merch actually lol

You can sit down during Eddie’s talking moments or when they play Just Breathe(kidding) etc if you have a seat. Show up at 800pm after resting at the hotel most of the day. Don’t eat too salty of foods helps as well with the swelling. 

It’s doable but if you are worn the fuck out there are other shows. 

Yeah I learned from you & @steven87 to just skip the merch line altogether. Coincidentally, waiting for merch at LA 1 & 2 in 2022 kicked my ass, and I think I would've had a better time if I'd just slept or went to the pool.

No drugs, and I usually wait to have a beer in the venue. But maybe that doesn't help? Definitely gonna watch the salty foods next time, no matter where that is.

I did LA 2 last time with @RatherStarved & it was nice to sit during some of the lulls😅Buckle Up was a nice respite, too😏

I mean, it's all still doable (for the next 24 hrs lol) but there will be other shows...

No drugs? Sounds awful. 

You’ll be just fine.

Nothing a couple nose beers couldn’t fix, when the time comes. Half kidding.

2-feign-reluctance

When I was 20 I slept in an airport lounge underneath a row of seats at O’Hare after Chicago 1998 with a backpack for a pillow. Had to catch a 9am college algebra final. That was 26 years ago and it took me 3 days to get reset. I’ve travelled to Australia and New Zealand (not for PJ) a dozen times since age 22 and it takes a full week or more to adjust to the jet lag, dehydration and muscle fatigue regardless of how old I was at the time. I just arrived in Nashville after 7 hours of driving and it’s nearly 8 and I’m ready for bed. Traveling takes it out of you! I’ve learned never to push it. Glad you did too OP! 

Naked John

I have done some amazing things.  1996,1998,2000,2003,2004,2005,2006,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2016, 2018, I feel bad for you. I was down in my basement... Check your PM.

We All Believe

I'm sorry it's so taxing. It can really suck sometimes. I was in a similar boat.

I finished moving a couple of weeks ago. The move was emotionally difficult, physically as well. Hurt my shoulder lifting boxes. Never considered canceling, but it hurts enough that it keeps me up at night. My poor concert mates were subjected to the smell of Tiger Balm all night, although it wasn't necessarily out of place at the Dead show lol.

My 4-day stretch:
5/15 Neil Young & Crazy Horse in Queens
5/16 Early flight, PJ Vegas
5/17 Dead & Co Vegas
5/18 PJ Vegas

I've hardly slept at hotels or on thr flights because of my shoulder. And I'm physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted, because of the move, work (worked from Vegas on my fucking birthday), and a few other things.

I chose to power through, but I'm going to listen to my head and my body. Saw my doctor about my shoulder, pills, creams, and physical therapy for now, follow up in a few weeks.

I don't regret it, because I had a fucking fantastic time in Vegas, and met some great people. But I could have planned things a little better. I'm going to Seattle, and I tweaked my schedule a little so it's not as taxing.

Sending you some strength.

PJ_Soul

I know all the decisions are over now, for better or worse, but I found this thread very interesting! I am amazed by so many people's willingness to push themselves the way they do to travel for shows (or any other reason), with these red eye flights, travelling on the day of the shows, going back and forth across the country multiple times with only a day or two in between, WOW. Good for you folks, having the energy and will. I can't imagine ever being willing to do any of this, let alone now in my late 40s! If I travel, I definitely arrive the day before, sleep in on show day, 100% no on merch lines. I don't think my GA days are necessarily behind me completely, but I'm now thinking good seats next to the pit are preferable not so much because it's a physical drain, but simply so I can go pee when I feel like it and grab a drink if I get the desire to. Being able to sit until they hit the stage is a huge bonus. Then a really good sleep until late the day after the each show, and then I MIGHT fly home later that day, but if there is a good museum or art gallery in the city, I'd stay an extra day just to cruise that and to come down from the shows before putting myself through air travel. Leisure road is the way to go baby! I realize this kind of schedule isn't always possible for people though, and it does cost more, but if I couldn't do it like that, I seriously wouldn't go in the first place. I guess I've become quite the princess about the whole thing, HAHA. But FOMO is real! For me the struggle is all around the financial decisions. I was very very close to going to Seattle for 5 days to see the shows... I had chosen hotels and everything, was stalking TM for tix.... And then I just kept thinking about how it would cost a good $3000+ to do it the way I do it, and I had just seen 2 shows in Vancouver... was this really a good decision money-wise? I decided no. I'm sorry to say I made the right decision, lol.