What Post-Covid shows are on your all-time list?

jimjam1982

None of them are even close to all timers. 

Went to 13 shows.

SHN - as others mentioned this is a honorable mention due to representing a return to normalcy post coivd hysteria. It always really cool for that effect alone

I will however fondly remember 10/2/21 when Hawkins, Smith, Cameron were all smashing 1 drum kit during ritfw. As it turns out... looking back.... what a moment.

9/11 NYC was one of the most emotional/powerful shows ever.

Setlists can't compete with anything from 2003 to 2018 though. Without the epic sets they can't be all timers.

on2legs

jimjam1982 said:

None of them are even close to all timers. 

Went to 13 shows.

SHN - as others mentioned this is a honorable mention due to representing a return to normalcy post coivd hysteria. It always really cool for that effect alone

I will however fondly remember 10/2/21 when Hawkins, Smith, Cameron were all smashing 1 drum kit during ritfw. As it turns out... looking back.... what a moment.

9/11 NYC was one of the most emotional/powerful shows ever.

Setlists can't compete with anything from 2003 to 2018 though. Without the epic sets they can't be all timers.

The majority of Pearl Jam shows have set list lengths shorter than what we got from 2013-2018 and there are dozens of epic shows from outside that time frame.  In fact most epic shows were not from 2013-2018.  

aisleseats

Of the 10 shows I've been to in the last 2 years, I'd have to put OKC 22 and LA1 24 at the top of the list.

deb1211

I am biased because the SAD dedication pushed st louis to amazing status and the solat into breath felt like heaven. That crowd was also incredible.i also was 2nd row by Mike so all those made it just off the charts for me.

Lifted

I’ve only been to one and it was Camden 22. I thought it was good, but definitely not an all timer.

Ive seen some Pearl Jam concerts that get thrown around a bit when people talk about legendary shows…a few msg, 2009 spectrum shows (probably the most overrated shows in Pearl Jam history), Philly 05 to name a few…but I honestly think the best I’ve seen them play might have been Cincinnati in 2006 which almost no one would mention as an all timer.

I think there are a lot of shows like that. Under the radar cities, relatively ordinary setlists, but the band is just on fire and no one ever knows or talks about how great they were except the people who were there.

Go Animal

False_Belief said:

Of the 4 post pandemic shows I’ve been to….

Hyde Park 1 2022 
Hyde Park 2 2022 
MSG 2022 
Manchester 2024

….MSG would easily make my all time Top 5,  which as of right now looks something like this:

1. Hartford 2008
2. Amsterdam 2 2012 
3. Shepherds Bush 2009 
4. MSG 2022 
5. London 2 2018 

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Hartford 2008 is so damn good

Love the love for Hartford '08. My favorite show for a long, long time🙌

Lifted

jimjam1982 said:

Setlists can't compete with anything from 2003 to 2018 though. Without the epic sets they can't be all timers.

I think you’re probably right that none of them have been all timers, but I think it has more to do with Ed being almost 60 years old and just not being able to perform like he used to. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still amazing at what he does, and as good as any other 50 something year old rock singer out there, but it is what it is. The band is as good as they’ve ever been, but it’s different for the frontman.

That said, I completely disagree with the setlist reasoning. Every ‘epic’ setlist I’ve seen from their marathon era (after 2006) has included enough vibe killing material that they could’ve improved the show by playing less. I know most people would disagree with me, but longer shows aren’t always better.

2003-2006 I’ll give you that…there were some long ones in that period that were pretty great from start to finish. 

Go Animal

If we're going by pure emotion in the moment?

Sea Hear Now - the sound of a band learning how to be a band again. The catharsis outweighed any technical issues. 

Ohana Encore N2 - they finally found their groove again, and that last RITFW with Taylor, Matt, and Chad all playing drums? Legendary.

LA N1 '22 - a sort of sequel to Encore, and what a night. I still remember rushing to the floor to the opening beat of "Of the Girl"

MSG '22 - nothing fancy, just pure energy & love. PJ at MSG = church.

Nashville '22 - the band just having FUN. If you're a Mike guy, this was the show for you.

Austin N2 '23 - a short, but sweet tour. This was the last show before DM, and they pulled out all the stops. 

Las Vegas N1 '24 - MIKE, MIKE, MIKE. A hint of things to come.

reedrothchild

on2legs said:

jimjam1982 said:

None of them are even close to all timers. 

Went to 13 shows.

SHN - as others mentioned this is a honorable mention due to representing a return to normalcy post coivd hysteria. It always really cool for that effect alone

I will however fondly remember 10/2/21 when Hawkins, Smith, Cameron were all smashing 1 drum kit during ritfw. As it turns out... looking back.... what a moment.

9/11 NYC was one of the most emotional/powerful shows ever.

Setlists can't compete with anything from 2003 to 2018 though. Without the epic sets they can't be all timers.

The majority of Pearl Jam shows have set list lengths shorter than what we got from 2013-2018 and there are dozens of epic shows from outside that time frame.  In fact most epic shows were not from 2013-2018.  

You nailed it.  Set length does not equal epic show.  Hell most 98 shows were under two hours and they absolutely smoke anything from the last 15 years (if not longer).  Excluding the first few years of the band when they were young and a totally different beast I’d say 98-2006 is the peak modern era version of the band.  The playing was incredible, Ed’s voice was still top notch, they still did some improv at shows and setlists were less predictable with songs appearing anywhere.  2013-2014 was a lot of fun with the longer sets being introduced but the encore because formulaic and stale quick and hearing Sirens and Just Breathe every night was a bummer.  I had a lot of fun those years, but the band was last its prime at that point.  Shows now are just a fun night out and that’s ok- we’re lucky these guys are still doing it and I hope we get a few more years of it!

BF25394

HailHailVitalogy said:

I think “standouts” is watering down what I’m looking for here. I mean shows that blew you away, whatever criteria that might be. I was at San Diego, LA x2, and St Louis in 2022…I thought they were just average shows in my opinion. Crowd was brutal in Cali. Austin 2 2023 and Seattle 2024 were fucking fantastic, but didn’t crack my personal “all-time” list I’m talking about. 

I’m looking for you walking out of the venue, thinking to yourself “That could have been the best show I’ve seen, or close to it”. I definitely felt that way with my 5. 

When I said "standouts," I meant that those shows stand out among the 80 Pearl Jam shows I've seen. I don't generally think in the kind of hyperbolic terms you quote yourself thinking, but I did indeed say something to that effect walking out of L.A. 1 in May, and referring to the two L.A. shows together this year as about as good as a two-night run gets. Then again, I really don't spend a lot of time thinking about how shows from 20 or 25 years ago compare to shows from last month. The past is over. I just try to enjoy what I'm experiencing in the present tense and, generally, with Pearl Jam, I always do. There are not many things I'd rather be doing than seeing Pearl Jam.

With respect to the crowds supposedly being brutal, I don't usually pay much attention to the crowd. My enjoyment is not contingent on strangers' enjoyment.

CROJAM95

Vegas 1 24
Camden 22
apollo 22
msg 22
austin 2 23

my top 5

vito

None of them have been all-timers but, of the 3 I've been to Chicago 2 was pretty damn close...5 more choice songs🤔 and I don't expect either Wrigley show to approach that status if they even take place😔🙏🤞

HailHailVitalogy

vito said:

None of them have been all-timers but, of the 3 I've been to Chicago 2 was pretty damn close...5 more choice songs🤔 and I don't expect either Wrigley show to approach that status if they even take place😔🙏🤞

I think this is where I’m leaning. I was also at Chicago 2 and it’s that tier right below the legendary or “epic shows”. Of the shows I’ve seen:

Tier 1: MSG 2 2010, Gorge 2005, Krakow 2018, MSG 1 + 2 2003, and Philly 3 2009

Tier 2: LV 1 2024, Chicago 2 2023, FW 2 2023, Camden ‘22, MSG ‘22…..East Rutherford 2 2006, Charlottesville 2013, Wrigley 2013, Fenway 2 2016, Philly 4 2009, MSG 1 2016, Brooklyn 2 2013, Berlin 2018

vito

HailHailVitalogy said:

vito said:

None of them have been all-timers but, of the 3 I've been to Chicago 2 was pretty damn close...5 more choice songs🤔 and I don't expect either Wrigley show to approach that status if they even take place😔🙏🤞

I think this is where I’m leaning. I was also at Chicago 2 and it’s that tier right below the legendary or “epic shows”. Of the shows I’ve seen:

Tier 1: MSG 2 2010, Gorge 2005, Krakow 2018, MSG 1 + 2 2003, and Philly 3 2009

Tier 2: LV 1 2024, Chicago 2 2023, FW 2 2023, Camden ‘22, MSG ‘22…..East Rutherford 2 2006, Charlottesville 2013, Wrigley 2013, Fenway 2 2016, Philly 4 2009, MSG 1 2016, Brooklyn 2 2013, Berlin 2018

🍷

northerndragon

Of the 7 shows I've seen since Covid, Portland 2024 has cracked the top 5 but mostly because of the experience. It was my birthday, I was able to upgrade to GA, met the most awesome people in the Merch line and in GA, got a tambourine and a happy birthday from Eddie. The setlist was also my favourite out of the 5 shows I've seen so far this year this year.

LC said:

MSG 2022 is definitely in my Top 5 (out of 28 total).....the crowd was a huge part of that.

I have to agree the crowd really made that NYC 22 show. 

fsu2626

Been to Nashville, Austin X2, and Vegas X2. Thought Vegas Night 1 was the best