MSG Crowd Question

e360727

What percentage of the crowd for the upcoming MSG shows do you believe have seen a minimum of 5 PJ concerts in total (i.e. not just at the Garden)?  My guess is 80-90% but maybe I'm waaaaay off (next week will be my first MSG shows and thus I have no real feel).  I pose the question because if my assumption is anywhere close to being true, wouldn't/shouldn't that impact the setlist for those shows?  For the record, I am not one of those fans complaining about setlists as I fully understand the rationale for their current composition.  With that said, I would think it would be fun for the band to take advantage of places like MSG or Philly where they could deviate greatly from a more standard setlist and please almost everyone.  Happy to be informed that I'm completely ignorant on this issue.  Thanks.  

Itsmillertyme

I'm from NY and been to many many concerts and games at MSG. There will always be some of the rich wall street types who go to shows and games just to say they were there. In 2016 I sat in the 4th row side stage and the 4 guys in suits in front of me bragged about how much the tickets cost but only wanted to hear Jeremy  lol.  but that said shows at MSG do feel different .

kosteva2

60%

Secondary market resale ability opens it up a little more from a Ten Club heavy show like you’d get other venues that don’t allow ticket transfer

WindowPaine

I think everyone so far has been correct and i'd agree with them

the only MSG PJ shows i've been to were the two in 2003. wow, the crowd was insane for them. most of the time i was just in awe looking around the venue as the entire place was singing along to most of the songs. those shows had to be mostly diehard pj fans somehow.

CantKeepmedown

It's best to just go in thinking you're going to get a fairly standard Dark Matter tour set. They *might* dust off some deeper cuts (for 2024) but I'm assuming it's going pretty much in line with what's been happening. The crowd at MSG always pushes it up a notch and you have a chance for some guest appearances I suppose.  Just don't go in with sky high expectations and you'll be more than satisfied. 

mdarya

If they are going to play a lot of DM, would it be too much to ask that they divide the album up over the two days (i.e. 5 different songs each night)?

MKSNYC

I agree with CantKeepmedown - the set lists have a general structure to them this tour so probably much the same with a few added pieces possible.  I love the MSG shows - lots of energy all around!

JojoRice

Lots of energy in the building for MSG.  I remember making the floor shake at the 9/11 show and Ed commenting about it. 

Loujoe

Seriously I heard, maybe from tempo, that msg is built on huge springs and is meant to move. Maybe Art Vandalay architecture and engineering.

kosteva2

Agree with others on keeping expectations modest for MSG.  Shows always really solid but there’s always a bit of extra hype where people raise the bar too high.  There’s always some expectation/hope that a mystery guest like Bruce Springsteen shows up to sing Growing Up or they bust out some rarity that they haven’t played much since the 90s.  If you go In expecting a standard Dark Matter Tour set you’ll be fine.
You can definitely feel the room bouncing in the floor when it gets rocking.
Agree the ‘03 shows were crazy crowds.  Guessing that was closer to 90% 10 Club and/or people who’ve seen them 5+ times.  From what I remember those shows had so much 10 Club demand they may have oversold their allotment and offered to give you different show like Holmdel

CC9172

I went to 7 pj shows in 2003 in the ny nj philly area. Every show was awesome. I especially loved the Holmdel show. Its too bad they never performed there again.

cincybearcat

mdarya said:

If they are going to play a lot of DM, would it be too much to ask that they divide the album up over the two days (i.e. 5 different songs each night)?

I do wish they would do this, but I do not think they will.  I think the 2 shows combined get 50 songs, 40 of which are unique.

Get_Right

CC9172 said:

I went to 7 pj shows in 2003 in the ny nj philly area. Every show was awesome. I especially loved the Holmdel show. Its too bad they never performed there again.

It is a shitty venue, the parking sucks and it is fucking New Jersey. But that was the sleeper show to see.

spankyMP

MSG is just a must experience and as a (former) NYer, I know I'm biased. It's always buzzing outside. The band loves it, the crowd loves it, it's always special. Enjoy!

yosi

I think the days of extra special set lists are over. However, crowd is basically unbeatable in NA. 

washed in black

CC9172 said:

I went to 7 pj shows in 2003 in the ny nj philly area. Every show was awesome. I especially loved the Holmdel show. Its too bad they never performed there again.

That Holmdel show is so underrated! We went in early for Ed's preset and ended up in the extras on the Live at the Garden dvd

washed in black

spankyMP said:

MSG is just a must experience and as a (former) NYer, I know I'm biased. It's always buzzing outside. The band loves it, the crowd loves it, it's always special. Enjoy!

There is a special energy at the MSG shows. When someone asks me Philly or NYC, I say go see them in Philly. But, if possible, go to both so you can experience that palpable energy of the garden.

There are usually VIP's there, but with the US Open going on at the same time, that may mean fewer at the show. In 2010, we sat behind Matt Damon & Michael Moore. John McEnroe was in our seats the night before. 

mcgruff10

Get_Right said:

CC9172 said:

I went to 7 pj shows in 2003 in the ny nj philly area. Every show was awesome. I especially loved the Holmdel show. Its too bad they never performed there again.

It is a shitty venue, the parking sucks and it is fucking New Jersey. But that was the sleeper show to see.

Shitty venue?  I love it.  Sound is great, parking is really easy.

I still say the Holmdel show that year was better than both MSG shows.  I jumped on the 10c oversold msg offer and ended up first row at pnc between mike and ed.  

on2legs

mcgruff10 said:

Get_Right said:

CC9172 said:

I went to 7 pj shows in 2003 in the ny nj philly area. Every show was awesome. I especially loved the Holmdel show. Its too bad they never performed there again.

It is a shitty venue, the parking sucks and it is fucking New Jersey. But that was the sleeper show to see.

Shitty venue?  I love it.  Sound is great, parking is really easy.

I still say the Holmdel show that year was better than both MSG shows.  I jumped on the 10c oversold msg offer and ended up first row at pnc between mike and ed.  

and general parking is free!

Get_Right

mcgruff10 said:

Get_Right said:

CC9172 said:

I went to 7 pj shows in 2003 in the ny nj philly area. Every show was awesome. I especially loved the Holmdel show. Its too bad they never performed there again.

It is a shitty venue, the parking sucks and it is fucking New Jersey. But that was the sleeper show to see.

Shitty venue?  I love it.  Sound is great, parking is really easy.

I still say the Holmdel show that year was better than both MSG shows.  I jumped on the 10c oversold msg offer and ended up first row at pnc between mike and ed.  

100% on the performance. Just not my favorite place. Reminds me of the Mann in Philly. 80s concrete amphitheater. Parking is easy but the state troopers will check your Coke to see if there is any rum or jack in it. I will admit is has been awhile since I went back there.  

Edit: I seem to remember one time the lot was full and we had to shuttle from cheesequake. It has been awhile.

mcgruff10

Yeah the state troopers don’t care anymore.  This summer I went twice (first time since pj in 03) and people were drinking everywhere.  I was amazed how easy it was getting back out on the parkway.  Sound was good.  Don’t be afraid to see a show there.  I’ll take pnc over Camden any day of the week.  

But you are right, it is just a big concrete structure.  

Get_Right

mcgruff10 said:

Yeah the state troopers don’t care anymore.  This summer I went twice (first time since pj in 03) and people were drinking everywhere.  I was amazed how easy it was getting back out on the parkway.  Sound was good.  Don’t be afraid to see a show there.  I’ll take pnc over Camden any day of the week.  

But you are right, it is just a big concrete structure.  

I never miss Camden. Luckily it has been a while since we had to make a choice.
Edit: What I meant was I never MISS a Camden show. I love NYC, I lived there for a long time. But Philly has delivered. We shall see.

kosteva2

Philly shows > Camden shows.  Haven't missed any since pre-'98.  Camden shows typically good but not on the same level as Philly ones. 
 
You can take top 4-5 shows from within Philly city limits and they hold up as well as any other city's top 4-5 (guessing if played that game start comparing to NYC, Boston, Chicago, Seattle).  Off the top of my head 4/29/16, 10/31/09, 10/30/09, 10/3/05, 4/28/03.  Even 9/2/12 Made in America with Jay Z doing 99 Problems with them memorable.

Camden shows not as memorable.  4/28/98 stands out most for me.  A lot of the other tours kind of blend together.  9/14/22 really good for post-pandemic, down-tuned, shorter setlist Pearl Jam but not fair to compare to Philly.

I hate the Camden venue.  Sound not as good as other sheds.  Easy-ish access from highways, bridge, river ferry but not a great scene in area outside venue.

mcgruff10

Get_Right said:

mcgruff10 said:

Yeah the state troopers don’t care anymore.  This summer I went twice (first time since pj in 03) and people were drinking everywhere.  I was amazed how easy it was getting back out on the parkway.  Sound was good.  Don’t be afraid to see a show there.  I’ll take pnc over Camden any day of the week.  

But you are right, it is just a big concrete structure.  

I never miss Camden. Luckily it has been a while since we had to make a choice.
Edit: What I meant was I never MISS a Camden show. I love NYC, I lived there for a long time. But Philly has delivered. We shall see.

lol. I understand what you are saying and agree.  I am happy these shows are indoors so we don’t have to worry about the weather.   

Get_Right

kosteva2 said:

Philly shows > Camden shows.  Haven't missed any since pre-'98.  Camden shows typically good but not on the same level as Philly ones. 
 
You can take top 4-5 shows from within Philly city limits and they hold up as well as any other city's top 4-5 (guessing if played that game start comparing to NYC, Boston, Chicago, Seattle).  Off the top of my head 4/29/16, 10/31/09, 10/30/09, 10/3/05, 4/28/03.  Even 9/2/12 Made in America with Jay Z doing 99 Problems with them memorable.

Camden shows not as memorable.  4/28/98 stands out most for me.  A lot of the other tours kind of blend together.  9/14/22 really good for post-pandemic, down-tuned, shorter setlist Pearl Jam but not fair to compare to Philly.

I hate the Camden venue.  Sound not as good as other sheds.  Easy-ish access from highways, bridge, river ferry but not a great scene in area outside venue.

Agree to disagree. Other than closing the Spectrum (night three was the best), I will take Camden every time. Yes the place is not great. Yes the neighborhood sucks. But it is like they have something to prove when they go there (best show of 2022).  Back to MSG. See you next week.

Steadyd84

Night 2 will be my first MSG show, too! I’m bringing a childhood friend who is originally from Long Island to his first PJ show. 

Stoked!!!

spankyMP

Steadyd84 said:

Night 2 will be my first MSG show, too! I’m bringing a childhood friend who is originally from Long Island to his first PJ show. 

Stoked!!!

Yes!!!!

smagnus1

MSG virgin- not expecting a miracle set but hoping for a good crowd and a good show. 10c seats in 103 from lucky lotto and found a very kind member a few weeks ago that set the wife and I up for N2. Just really looking forward to a good short trip away from the reality of a work strike entering its 3rd week on Sunday. Thank goodness trip is already paid for.

Kinger2412

Been to many concerts and sporting events at MSG and it’s a great venue! This will be my first PJ sow on 9/4, can’t wait!!