Thoughts on current tour

JZ280705

Went to the 2 Vegas shows. The band sounds super tight and the sound is excellent.  I wasn’t enthralled with the setlists.  Garden was the highlight.  I can do without hearing Alive, Daughter, Elderly Woman, Yellow Ledbetter for a few years. Curious to hear what others think.

Zod

I felt the shows in Vancouver we're pretty good, and enjoyed hearing all the new songs.   The band was solid and in great form.    I feel my problem is that I still have a hangover from the 2013 to 2018 shows, with the 3 hour+ barn burners.  When you play 35 songs a night, there's so much room for new songs, hits, rarities, and covers.    Those shows were all amazing and there was room in the setlists for everything. I never even felt a 3.5 hour set was long.  It seemed the perfect length to satiate my pj appetite. 

I'll get over that era of PJ one day

goldenegg

The Vegas shows brought me to a total show count of 31. Loved both shows, but night 1 was a standout. Good lord was that version of Black incredible! They had an energy i haven't seen from them in a very long time. I think the recording process for Dark Matter really invigorated them. They were clearly having a ton of fun. 

Looking forward to the NYC shows in September. 

JZ280705

I agree. Dark Matter far better than Gigaton.   

YAKIMATSU

Fo me Stone is the difference on this tour. He is a smiling fool on this tour and I love that. He seems to be enjoying himself again and that plus everyone else being fire makes for an exceptional tour.
Dark Matter best album, easily, since Yield is a wonderful change as well.

tschav

- Dark Matter and the new stage format is a nice change of pace 
- Liking some of the rare cuts seeping in throughout, even as openers
- Shorter shows but definitely feel tighter
- McCready playing with busted ribs is mind blowing, hopefully Vegas 2 was a fluke for Eddie and they can last the full 2024 tour
- Closing with Setting Sun is a little weird after the house lights come on and Y Led is played, just keep Setting Sun this tour and change out next year
- Maybe because I’ve been denied enough times on the rail/in the pit, but I’m getting a little tired of tambourine songs (Rockin, Baba, etc)

Spunkie

Magic. Pure magic.

MikeDigs

Mike has gone full blown wizard.
Matt's drums are booming.
Ed's vocals sound perfect, as always.
Stone and Jeff are having a blast, big energy from them like they are back in the early Ten days.
Same for the whole band.
Josh and Boom are fantastic. 

Favorite Josh moment was when he came out to perform Something Special.  Awesome guitar grooves and hat.  As I watched people on the floor turn to statues, cuz "oh no, a cool groove about loving family", and Josh dancing around on stage with his hat, I realized that this song is too cool for most people 

Favorite visuals are Dark Matter,  Setting Sun, and Do the Evolution

BF25394

Zod said:

I felt the shows in Vancouver we're pretty good, and enjoyed hearing all the new songs.   The band was solid and in great form.    I feel my problem is that I still have a hangover from the 2013 to 2018 shows, with the 3 hour+ barn burners.  When you play 35 songs a night, there's so much room for new songs, hits, rarities, and covers.    Those shows were all amazing and there was room in the setlists for everything. I never even felt a 3.5 hour set was long.  It seemed the perfect length to satiate my pj appetite. 

I'll get over that era of PJ one day

I think there's a little revisionist history that has happened. Three-hour shows were always exceptions. We're talking about a change from shows averaging 2:30-2:45 to shows averaging 2:15.

jatimbo

Bad Ass! Been going to shows since 2000. PJ is my favorite band. Never been to a show I didn’t like. I think the slightly shorter sets and format with the new album drive creativity. The set lists are unique and the band sounds F-ing great. For perspective, I’m also a huge Opeth and Meshuggah fan. Those shows are hands down some of  the best shows I ever been to, and those are very different shows.  I’d throw Between the Buried and Me in there as well. The metal shows are super tight sets, relatively short and sweet, and heavy on format with little variation. They leave you wanting more, the music is a drug. You are cool with the same thing over again.  I see PJ incorporating a little metal show format into these sets and I like it! Every show is boot worthy right off the bat with how they slide into it with the first 4 songs. How they incorporate a shit ton of great material around the core focus (focus on the focusness) of a new album is where the fun is at. And in summary, they just sound great! I could have only said just that.

ekwipt

BF25394 said:

Zod said:

I felt the shows in Vancouver we're pretty good, and enjoyed hearing all the new songs.   The band was solid and in great form.    I feel my problem is that I still have a hangover from the 2013 to 2018 shows, with the 3 hour+ barn burners.  When you play 35 songs a night, there's so much room for new songs, hits, rarities, and covers.    Those shows were all amazing and there was room in the setlists for everything. I never even felt a 3.5 hour set was long.  It seemed the perfect length to satiate my pj appetite. 

I'll get over that era of PJ one day

I think there's a little revisionist history that has happened. Three-hour shows were always exceptions. We're talking about a change from shows averaging 2:30-2:45 to shows averaging 2:15.

I believe Vancouver 2013 is the longest Canadian show ever & Seattle 2 2018 is one of the longest shows all time. We’ve definitely been blessed here the last couple tours.

*Seattle 2013 is one of the longest all time as well. Those of us here (Pacific Northwest) not lucky enough to travel with the band have definitely gotten used to longer shows. 

Zod

The ones I saw at Wrigley in 2016 were also 3 hours (with night 1 getting them in a little trouble for going past curfew).   I was under the impression most shows in that era were about 3 hours.  With 3.5 hours being an exception, and 2.5 hours being an exception in the other direction.

I suppose I still find the 7 shows I saw in that area, all of which were 3 hours or more (except Pemberton, which funny enough might be my favourite from that era) to be incredibly amazing.

They're continue to be incredibly amazing, it's just a little less

RW8297

I think it would be awesome if they played no repeats in the cities where they had 2 gigs. Like Metallica do. Guess 5 + 6 Dark Matter songs each night would be enough. But it is what it is.

RS65573

RW8297 said:

I think it would be awesome if they played no repeats in the cities where they had 2 gigs. Like Metallica do. Guess 5 + 6 Dark Matter songs each night would be enough. But it is what it is.

100%

Gern Blansten

RW8297 said:

I think it would be awesome if they played no repeats in the cities where they had 2 gigs. Like Metallica do. Guess 5 + 6 Dark Matter songs each night would be enough. But it is what it is.

Yeah but what is the overlap? There are a lot of people at night 2 that want to hear the big hits

spankyMP

Gern Blansten said:

RW8297 said:

I think it would be awesome if they played no repeats in the cities where they had 2 gigs. Like Metallica do. Guess 5 + 6 Dark Matter songs each night would be enough. But it is what it is.

Yeah but what is the overlap? There are a lot of people at night 2 that want to hear the big hits

This. The Metallica formula guarantees more diehards will come both nights, but casual fans that only go one night may be disappointed. There is no perfect system. If there was everyone would do it. We have been fortunate that PJ does it the way they have, but things change.

bicyclejoe

I can’t afford the ticket prices this time around and haven’t gone to any of the shows, unfortunately. However, from the YouTube clips, the band has never sounded better. Ed’s voice is a tower, powerful and urgent and harmonious as ever. 

deb1211

Saw both Vegas shows and I never leave disappointed. My daughter saw her first concerts and was having a blast. This band is just a gem. They have this energy and fire on stage that I never take for granted. I feel blessed to share that room every time I get the privilege 

mwplum

About to go to fifth show of tour tonight (Van x2, Portland, Sea x2) and note the following personal observations:

Pros: band sounds amazing! Seem to be having fun with it. Great new album and happy to see them energized in showcasing it to the fans!!! Opening 4 songs have been mind blowing! Great atmosphere and crowds! We took our 6-year old Eddie to Vancouver 2 and he had such a blast that he talked his way into coming to Portland with us

Cons: set list is formulaic - Gone are the days of “evening with PJ” 3 hr shows (over 4 hours in Denver 2014) or full album shows (I was fortunate to attend Moline and Milwaukee (2014) and Philly and Toronto (2016). Not sure if this is temporary, a product of age, etc., but we will cherish those memories forever! 

While I know the band owes us nothing and I am more than grateful to still have the opportunity to see my favourite band 30+ years after my first show, I miss the excitement of not knowing what to expect night-to-night. We basically know that first 4 songs will be mind blowing, next 3-4 will be sequential DM, then a few more high energy, couple more DM, and most likely porch into an encore that will have alive + DTE + a few others. Still a magical experience, but the element of surprise is significantly reduced. Maybe this evolves as the tour progresses?

Screen/lack of fans behind stage: screen is cool, but (in my opinion) not as exciting as a fully packed arena. I love seeing all the hands go up, etc. Also, I find myself wondering, could ticket prices be reduced by 20% if capacity could balance the scales by adding 20% more fans? Again, I acknowledge being very blessed to first see the band in 1992 and follow portions of tours outside PNW from 2011-2016. 

Ticket prices/other cost of travel and living issues: I still find the shows to be absolutely incredible, but for me personally (ie due to financial constraints and family commitments), Im not sure that I could justify the cost of following the band anymore (but stoked for those of you who can!).

Please know that I am just noting my personal observations as I am curious to know whether they are consistent or different from others (i.e. would love dialogue, but please don’t flame me if you disagree). Thanks and hope you all have an incredible time seeing the band this year!

NEweather

bicyclejoe said:

I can’t afford the ticket prices this time around and haven’t gone to any of the shows, unfortunately. However, from the YouTube clips, the band has never sounded better. Ed’s voice is a tower, powerful and urgent and harmonious as ever. 

I'm glad for youTube too, for I made it to Sac, and Napa, yet it's over too soon at times, imo, so I've a new appreciation for YT videos from good views with good sound-from great positions in the venues this time around.

JimmyV

Wish I caught one or two of these shows. Excited for Fenway. 

Vedder4Prez

Are we in favor of the teleprompter? I didnt make any of the shows and just caught songs on XM. Did EV mess up less? Does it help with the variety of sets? 

BSully

JZ280705 said:

Went to the 2 Vegas shows. The band sounds super tight and the sound is excellent.  I wasn’t enthralled with the setlists.  Garden was the highlight.  I can do without hearing Alive, Daughter, Elderly Woman, Yellow Ledbetter for a few years. Curious to hear what others think.

I mean, pretty much any other band in the world, you will get a cookie-cutter setlist every night. They will keep playing Alive, Even Flow, and a few others because those are the songs everyone knows.
I will be going to my 11th - 13th show this fall and I fully expect to hear a few of those at all 3 shows, but I know I will get lots of new one and rare ones mixed along with it.

I can't wait to see them on this tour and to get 3 shows in a row will be such a treat for me.

SomethingCreative

Zod said:

I felt the shows in Vancouver we're pretty good, and enjoyed hearing all the new songs.   The band was solid and in great form.    I feel my problem is that I still have a hangover from the 2013 to 2018 shows, with the 3 hour+ barn burners.  When you play 35 songs a night, there's so much room for new songs, hits, rarities, and covers.    Those shows were all amazing and there was room in the setlists for everything. I never even felt a 3.5 hour set was long.  It seemed the perfect length to satiate my pj appetite. 

I'll get over that era of PJ one day

Thank you for acknowledging that it was only a 5 year span where those 3+hour shows were the norm.  I’ve noticed a lot of folks that seem to forget the previous 25 years of touring norms lol

spankyMP

SomethingCreative said:

Zod said:

I felt the shows in Vancouver we're pretty good, and enjoyed hearing all the new songs.   The band was solid and in great form.    I feel my problem is that I still have a hangover from the 2013 to 2018 shows, with the 3 hour+ barn burners.  When you play 35 songs a night, there's so much room for new songs, hits, rarities, and covers.    Those shows were all amazing and there was room in the setlists for everything. I never even felt a 3.5 hour set was long.  It seemed the perfect length to satiate my pj appetite. 

I'll get over that era of PJ one day

Thank you for acknowledging that it was only a 5 year span where those 3+hour shows were the norm.  I’ve noticed a lot of folks that seem to forget the previous 25 years of touring norms lol

Your dad sounds like a smart man

Zod

SomethingCreative said:

Zod said:

I felt the shows in Vancouver we're pretty good, and enjoyed hearing all the new songs.   The band was solid and in great form.    I feel my problem is that I still have a hangover from the 2013 to 2018 shows, with the 3 hour+ barn burners.  When you play 35 songs a night, there's so much room for new songs, hits, rarities, and covers.    Those shows were all amazing and there was room in the setlists for everything. I never even felt a 3.5 hour set was long.  It seemed the perfect length to satiate my pj appetite. 

I'll get over that era of PJ one day

Thank you for acknowledging that it was only a 5 year span where those 3+hour shows were the norm.  I’ve noticed a lot of folks that seem to forget the previous 25 years of touring norms lol

No problem.  Yah, it now feels like they just went back to how they did it before 2013.   These setlists aren't too much different in length than my first PJ tour (Yield), which is still my favourite tour

Weston1283

The Vegas shows were indeed excellent, especially Night 1

LukinAtU

JZ280705 said:

Went to the 2 Vegas shows. The band sounds super tight and the sound is excellent.  I wasn’t enthralled with the setlists.  Garden was the highlight.  I can do without hearing Alive, Daughter, Elderly Woman, Yellow Ledbetter for a few years. Curious to hear what others think.

i was present as well. Porch, Even Flow, Alive, Ledbetter & Evolution both nights. Then the new ones, which I expected and enjoyed. I think it was 10-11 repeats all together. But thought they sounded good. Such a deep catalog, spread it around.

BF25394

Vedder4Prez said:

Are we in favor of the teleprompter? I didnt make any of the shows and just caught songs on XM. Did EV mess up less? Does it help with the variety of sets? 

I am in favor, and it makes sense that it would encourage them to continue mixing up the sets. As a fan, it's always been a bummer when you hear the first notes of a deep cut that you're excited to hear, and then the lyrics are totally botched. That rarely happened on this tour.

My question is whether the decision to go with the screen, and to forgo the sales of seats behind the stage, was connected at all to the addition of the teleprompter. You could not see the words even when you were right at the front of the stage because of the way the screen was angled under the floor, but it might have been visible from seats behind the stage.

BF25394

Six songs were played at all ten shows (all eleven, counting Napa):

"React, Respond"
"Wreckage"
"Dark Matter"
"Running"
"Setting Sun"
"Alive"

"Even Flow" was skipped twice. That's a small victory.

Vedder4Prez

BF25394 said:

Vedder4Prez said:

Are we in favor of the teleprompter? I didnt make any of the shows and just caught songs on XM. Did EV mess up less? Does it help with the variety of sets? 

I am in favor, and it makes sense that it would encourage them to continue mixing up the sets. As a fan, it's always been a bummer when you hear the first notes of a deep cut that you're excited to hear, and then the lyrics are totally botched. That rarely happened on this tour.

My question is whether the decision to go with the screen, and to forgo the sales of seats behind the stage, was connected at all to the addition of the teleprompter. You could not see the words even when you were right at the front of the stage because of the way the screen was angled under the floor, but it might have been visible from seats behind the stage.

I thought for sure the screen was a decision after EV decided to go with the teleprompter. Big loss of $ but I want them touring more and diversity! So all for it!