1. Kansas City 2010 This was back in the will call days. A friend backed out 2 days before the flight, so I went solo again. After checking in to the hotel I made the short walk over to the Sprint Center with no line at will call. I walked down the steps a little bit before returning to the window to confirm that I did indeed have front row. Band of Horses kicked ass and are still my favorite opener. I was right in front of Stone for the entire night. The best part was that it was Smitty's birthday. After singing Happy B-day and slamming a big cake in Smitty's face Ed decided to toss some cake to 2 lucky fans. I was the 2nd lucky fan. His first toss to me came up short between the stage and the rail, but that second toss was beautiful. The best cake I have ever had and still have the pieces from the top. Eating the Ed tossed cake during Alive in the front row will live forever.
2. Soldier Field 1995 It was my first and wow, just wow. I was fortunately checking out the classifieds and was able to snag 2 tickets at cost. No theatrics just kicking ass all night. Finding the bootleg at my college record store a year or two later was the kickstart to join the club. I played that boot out. Everyday People is due btw. Still have the ticket and the 2 t-shirts from that night.
3. Denver 2014 39 songs. I know it says 38 on Live Footsteps, but Mike finishing with the National Anthem should be included. A wonderful long night in the pit. The set was solid all the way through with the standout being first encore closers Leash into RVM. The best part was earlier in the day. My chance encounter with Matt and Boom. We happened to be shopping at a dispensary when Matt and Boom came in. We patiently waited outside and were able to get a pic and chat for a bit. Both were super sweet.
Honorable Mention Las Vegas 2000 10th anniversary show and Crown of Thorns Wrigley 2013 The anticipation, the rain, Chloe-Crown and the long walk back to the hotel at 3am. Austin 2023 Birthday show in the pit and Chloe-Crown St. Louis 1998 The wonderful lady that was on stage signing the whole show while dancing was amazing.
Soldier Field 7-11-95, Alpine Valley 6-26-98, United Center 6-29-98, Riverport Amphitheater (St. Louis)7-2-98, MGM Grand Arena 10-22-00, Sprint Center (Kansas City)5-3-10, Adams Event Center (Missoula)9-30-12, Wrigley Field 7-19-13, Jobing.com Arena (Phoenix)11-19-13, Moda Center (Portland)11-29-13, Spokane Arena 11-30-13, Pepsi Center (Denver)10-22-14, Gila River Arena (Phoenix)5-9-22, Moody Center (Austin)9-18-23, Moody Center 9-19-23, Rogers Arena (Vancouver)5-4-24, Rogers Arena 5-6-24, MGM Grand 5-16-24, MGM Grand 5-18-24, Wrigley Field 8-29-24, Wrigley Field 8-31-24
This is a tough one for me cause I’ve been incredibly fortunate over the years. It’s hard for me to limit this to just 3, but here goes:
1. Ed dedicating a song (wishlist) to my newborn daughter at the Earthings show in Newark in ‘22.
2. My dad and I getting to strum Mike’s guitar together at the Apollo, only a few months after he finished chemo for a very rare and aggressive type of cancer.
3. Ed tossing me a tambo during Baba during Philly N1 earlier this year, literally right after they resumed the song following the crowd incident.
But there’s so many more. I’m just incredibly grateful for the countless amazing experiences I’ve had with this band. And looking forward to making more memories later this year!
1. Toronto September 11, 2011 Air Canada Centre - Night 1 Uncle Neil RITFW then home next day my Daughter was born at 8:22pm PJ on stage at 8:25pm for Toronto Night 2 (yes I missed the Sept 12th show 😢😉)
2. Toronto May 12, 2016 Air Canada Centre - Binaural in Full and Ed talked about a fundraiser at my local pub in Scarborough and the Guitar they were donating to raise funds for local kids to play music (see photo). I was the only bidder. Kids playing Pearl Jam at the pub and the money raised paid for their instruments. WIN <-> WIN 🤙
3. Toronto August 21, 2009 Molson Amphitheatre - pre-show set filling in for Ted Leo - PJ opened for PJ -> The Needle and the Damage Done Ed solo nuff said
Crowd surfing 20 times when I was 16 in NYC 96, seeing them in OKC with crazy good seats and sneaking in a box of wine for my wife’s first show in 2013, and ACL rail in 2014
1. The acoustic preset from Boston III 2003. I don't think anyone expected it to be as good as it was. The other two Boston shows that year were also incredible but are all but forgotten for the most part.
2. The first 8 songs from Ottawa 2005. Just absolute heat- still my favorite show attended. Wash>Go>Hail Hail>Animal>Brain of J> Immortality>In Hiding>Don't Gimme No Lip.
3. Great Woods 8/29/00. First show. Mind blown. Hooked ever since.
4. Alone and I've Got Feeling from 9/29/2004- 10 year gap and really thought neither would ever be played again.
5. Hartford 2013- prior to this I was losing interest (though still hitting 2-3 shows/year) as the shows from 2008-2012 were mostly subpar imo. 2013 showed me they could still bring it- and Hartford 2013 had it all for me.
The acoustic set was great. Did you get there early? When they first started there was only a few hundred people in the reserved seat area. Filled up quickly after the first couple songs.
For me, it's not about the (best/most impressive) shows, but the moments/feelings/memories:
(in chronological order, not necessarily in order of importance)
1) Picking up the album "Ten" from a CD rental shop in 1991 and copying it to a cassette tape. I didn't have the funds to buy the cd living as a juvenile in the remains of the former GDR (East Germany). Listening to the tape changed my life.
2) Listening to "Immortality" on heavy rotation for months in 1994 to cope with my best friends suicide while preparing for my A-level-exams/high school graduation exams.
3) The beginning of the 2010 Berlin show. I attended this show with my wife and our son. He was 3.5 years old at the time. It was his first ever concert. We saw a lot of different shows since then. In Berlin 2010, I cried during the first song "Long Road" (... nobody understood, but it was pure joy/luck).
1. The acoustic preset from Boston III 2003. I don't think anyone expected it to be as good as it was. The other two Boston shows that year were also incredible but are all but forgotten for the most part.
2. The first 8 songs from Ottawa 2005. Just absolute heat- still my favorite show attended. Wash>Go>Hail Hail>Animal>Brain of J> Immortality>In Hiding>Don't Gimme No Lip.
3. Great Woods 8/29/00. First show. Mind blown. Hooked ever since.
4. Alone and I've Got Feeling from 9/29/2004- 10 year gap and really thought neither would ever be played again.
5. Hartford 2013- prior to this I was losing interest (though still hitting 2-3 shows/year) as the shows from 2008-2012 were mostly subpar imo. 2013 showed me they could still bring it- and Hartford 2013 had it all for me.
The acoustic set was great. Did you get there early? When they first started there was only a few hundred people in the reserved seat area. Filled up quickly after the first couple songs.
I did get there early luckily! A couple of my friends didn’t get in until footsteps- they were bummed post show when I told them what they missed!
"What can you expect when you're on top? You know? It's like Napoleon. When he was the king, you know, people were just constantly trying to conquer him, you know, in the Roman Empire. So, it's history repeating itself all over again."
For me, it's not about the (best/most impressive) shows, but the moments/feelings/memories:
(in chronological order, not necessarily in order of importance)
1) Picking up the album "Ten" from a CD rental shop in 1991 and copying it to a cassette tape. I didn't have the funds to buy the cd living as a juvenile in the remains of the former GDR (East Germany). Listening to the tape changed my life.
2) Listening to "Immortality" on heavy rotation for months in 1994 to cope with my best friends suicide while preparing for my A-level-exams/high school graduation exams.
3) The beginning of the 2010 Berlin show. I attended this show with my wife and our son. He was 3.5 years old at the time. It was his first ever concert. We saw a lot of different shows since then. In Berlin 2010, I cried during the first song "Long Road" (... nobody understood, but it was pure joy/luck).
I agree. It's a big reason why I wish they would play more places that have/allow tailgating. The fun with friends and meeting people before the concert is what makes the shows memorable for me.
For me, it's not about the (best/most impressive) shows, but the moments/feelings/memories:
(in chronological order, not necessarily in order of importance)
1) Picking up the album "Ten" from a CD rental shop in 1991 and copying it to a cassette tape. I didn't have the funds to buy the cd living as a juvenile in the remains of the former GDR (East Germany). Listening to the tape changed my life.
2) Listening to "Immortality" on heavy rotation for months in 1994 to cope with my best friends suicide while preparing for my A-level-exams/high school graduation exams.
3) The beginning of the 2010 Berlin show. I attended this show with my wife and our son. He was 3.5 years old at the time. It was his first ever concert. We saw a lot of different shows since then. In Berlin 2010, I cried during the first song "Long Road" (... nobody understood, but it was pure joy/luck).
I agree. It's a big reason why I wish they would play more places that have/allow tailgating. The fun with friends and meeting people before the concert is what makes the shows memorable for me.
This 100%. These days pre and post show meetups with friends are what I remember and value the most!
"What can you expect when you're on top? You know? It's like Napoleon. When he was the king, you know, people were just constantly trying to conquer him, you know, in the Roman Empire. So, it's history repeating itself all over again."
1) Spending the weekend in Toronto 2011. Saw Two Gallants on Friday night, got engaged Saturday night, Pearl Jam 9/11/11 show Sunday. Long Road opener. All the tags (Modern Girl, It’s OK, etc). Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns. Neil Young coming out during RITFW and the loudest roar I’ve ever heard at a sporting event or concert before or since.
2) Bonnaroo 2008 with my dad. I hadn’t seen them in 10 years and didn’t think I was as into them as much. Hard to Imagine opener. WMA full version. Release in the encore. This show reminded me how much I love this band. I always tell people that that Saturday was the best day of music I’ve ever heard: Two Gallants, Against Me!, Gogol Bordello, BB King, Jack Johnson, Pearl Jam, Sigur Ros. Every band is one that I absolutely love and, except for BB King, have seen multiple times.
3) Seeing them for the first time in 1996 in Buffalo. It was my first ever concert as a 16 year old kid. We had tickets in the last row and it was the third event in the new arena. I wasn’t a huge fan yet but that was about to change. I can’t say I remember everything that was played. The stage with the lights low and candles burning around it. The crowd going nuts when they came out. Rats was an highlight because I think Vs was the only cassette I had at that point. Eddie pulling up a kid during Porch and trading shirts with him during the long solo section. The kid got to stage dive after. Rushing down to the floor during the encore break, turning around to see my friend face plant while trying to hop over the boards. Blood. Present Tense. I didn’t know how much of a life altering night that would be as it ignited my love for live music and drove a lot of my activities since.
1. I have to start with my first show, Camden, NJ August 28,1998. We were lucky to score seats inside the venue as opposed to lawn seating. I wasn’t familiar with their catalog as a whole, but the experience that night changed my life. I have often said I was on a natural high for week. Felt like my feet never touched the ground. And I’m still on this journey 27 years later.
After the first show, I joined the fan club.
2. Scoring 2nd row tickets for the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby, PA for one of Ed’s Into the Wild show. At the end of the show Ed started far left of the stage shaking hands of people in the front row. I spotted him mid stage and was jumping up and down anticipating him reaching us. He gave me a look like, I don’t think I can reach you there, and I nodded with understanding and put my head down for a second. Next thing I know my brother is hitting me on the arm and I look up and there is Ed on, his knees, literally being held up by a stagehand/security person, and he reached out his hand and shook mine and my brothers. We were the only two people in the second row he did that for. I will never forget that. Further evidence the man is just a good guy.
3. The people I have met and shared so many wonderful experiences. I have made lifelong friends through this band. We travel, get together for shows, share good times and bad. We’ve shared many personal losses together, hardships. Some are 3,000 miles away but I know I can depend on them whenever I need them, whether it’s a text at 1:00 in the morning, or a lengthy email. Had it not been for this band, I wouldn’t have these people in my life.
1. The band pretty much being my therapist through the years. I certainly wouldn't have turned out this sane without them (or this mad depending on your perspective). 2. All the moments I've had visiting different countries old and new to me. It really is an incredible adventure being a Pearl Jam fan. 3. A girl at my school leant me the Angel fan club single in 93/94ish, I was already a fan but now I had a club.
1. In my second year of University, a friend who knew my music taste said, ' You gotta hear this band; this album will blow your mind.' It was TEN. I played it repeatedly for days, months, years, and decades. I was all in, 'Release' and 'Black' ...speechless
2. I was in Ottawa on Mother's Day, 2016, in the pit ( Stone's side at the back) with my wife and two daughters. During the show, Ed stood on a speaker and pointed to my daughter, his shirt, me, and back to her. (We both had Clemente's 21 on, and she had her Cubs Vedder jersey.) At the show's end UP, Ed stopped and..
3. At the Seattle EB event with my wife. We had just grabbed drinks at the bar just as things were starting; Eddie was walking towards us to get to the stage; as he approached, he stopped, put his hand out and said, 'Hey man, I saw you come in earlier, thank you so much for coming, glad you're here' to which I responded in a shocked, higher than usual pitch 'for you Ed? Anything.' Then my wife and I looked at each other and broke into laughter at the insanity of it. When we left, I held the door for a couple, and the four of us waited for our Uber (s). The dude's name was Stone or something.
Any new realizations... would have to wait... Til he had more time,... more time... Time to dream,... to himself... he waves goodbye, To himself... I'll see you on the other side...
To quote the 10C from Newsletter #8: "Please understand we have a lot of members and it is very hard to please everybody. If you are one of those unhappy people...please call 1-900-IDN-TCAR."
"Me knowing the truth, I can not concur."
1996: Toronto - 1998: Chicago, Montreal, Barrie - 2000: Montreal, Toronto - 2002: Seattle X2 (Key Arena) - 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, Seattle (Benaroya Hall) - 2004: Reading, Toledo, Grand Rapids - 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City - 2006: Toronto X2, Albany, Hartford, Grand Rapids, Cleveland - 2007: Chicago (Vic Theatre) - 2008: NYC X2, Hartford, Mansfield X2 - 2009: Toronto, Chicago X2, Seattle X2, Philadelphia X4 - 2010: Columbus, Noblesville, Cleveland, Buffalo, Hartford - 2011: Montreal, Toronto X2, Ottawa, Hamilton - 2012: Missoula - 2013: London, Chicago, Buffalo, Hartford - 2014: Detroit, Moline - 2015: NYC (Global Citizen Festival) - 2016: Greenville, Toronto X2, Chicago 1 - 2017: Brooklyn (RRHOF Induction) - 2018: Chicago 1, Boston 1 - 2022: Fresno, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, NYC, Camden - 2023: St. Paul X2, Austin X2 - 2024: Vancouver X2, Portland, Sacramento, Missoula, Noblesville, Philadelphia X2, Baltimore - 2025: Hollywood X2, Nashville X2, Pittsburgh X2
Any new realizations... would have to wait... Til he had more time,... more time... Time to dream,... to himself... he waves goodbye, To himself... I'll see you on the other side...
1998/ freshman year @ Oneonta (upstate NY) and all the getting acclimated to college life months prior … the fact Pearl Jam was playing MSG in September was on the back burner of my mind… met a few die hards in my dorm, from NYC/LI area where I’m from….. day before someone mentioned the show , it was Friday…. So 6 of us, stuffed into a VW Corrado ( tight fit 😝) made the 4 hour plus car ride to get there about 20 minutes before showtime… my 1st show, all the TM drama and me being younger at this point limited my chances prior to see them… the whole ride down, this one asking for bathroom break, that one is hungry now…. Cmon fuckers we gonna be late !!! All I remember saying over and over, I think I was rocking back n forth like a crazy person … thinking this isn’t how I envision my 1st show, to walk in late after being crammed in a car… but we got in perfect time, on low wing, bout 15 rows up on Mikes side …. Wanted to do 9-10-98 too but we all had classes, but man what a show to be thrown into the 🔥…. Got Release, the fuckin BREATH show 😎 just the energy and seeing these guys with my own eyes … true admiration and respect for what they do … I was like, I need more more more 😁 never thought it would lead to almost 80 at this point, but what a start. We all had the best time, stayed till Sunday at friends house reminiscing and playing music, remember the evening out back just talking about meanings of songs…. 90s still fraught with excellent music. We all went back to school on Sunday and others heard about the epic show and were excited we did it….
2011- PJ20
The excitement leading up to this was so high, probably too high as these weren’t even close to the best shows I’ve seen… but driving from NY to Chicagoland, seeing a Cubs/Reds game on the front end…. Driving up to beautiful Wisconsin, cheese curds, beer, preparty… hanging with friends that weekend was special. My Brother, his GF, my GF all drove from NY… picked up a good friend to hang with… some crazy Shenanigans and just great memories … even did the Packers/Saints game after… my brother being a big Packers fan… just great timing with all these bucket list things ( Wrigley/ Lambeau/Alpine valley) …. NO WAY night 2 still blows my mind, release the boots for Christ sake
2024
A bittersweet year that without this band and a few select people I’ve met thru them… would have been too much to deal with. Had an unfortunate hospital stay after Philly 1, had to miss some shows and it bummed me out. The power of music and encouragement from some got me to not focus on so many shitty details and just grin and bear it….. was so much fun prior 😣… prior to Vegas trip I found out a friend had succumb to her mental illness and it was very difficult to comprehend it, one of those you’d never guess this person was hurting… mother of 2 beautiful kids, successful, beautiful inside and out…. Someone I got to know a lil more n more as the years went on, I was not in a great head space …. The show starting with SOMETIMES felt perfect, I was starting to ease into it and just let the music help heal a bit… was a powerful set Vegas 1….. she was on my mind all night, Ed made a few gestures towards me on Mikes side that night …. Got a Mike Pick few songs earlier, then Ed during Alive started to point me out for a Tambo… I was able to catch it and thought wow, what are the odds… especially this night where my head was all screwed up, it meant something to me, more than a $10 Tambo… sometimes you need something to say, maybe it’s not all random… I know I know, but that’s what I’m rolling with
So I’m fortunate enough to get MSG GA both nights this year, up front both nights. N1 got to get some of Ed’s Wine , N2 I was thinking about my dad who passed in 2007… always wanted to see a show, but life got in the way …. So I was lil emotional this night, also cause I couldn’t make it in 2003 msg due to some crazy stuff, so I brought my Croatian Flag for my dad / our heritage, and during RITFW during “ red, white and blue “ lyric I put it up and Ed pointed me out and nodded… I almost buckled 😊 it was so powerful to me, another one of these strange moments that seam otherworldly and just beautiful. I’ve had the privilege to meet Ed a bunch, he’s signed some things and had a few chats… I vaguely told him some things after his Solo shows up in Washington Heights in 2008…. Very sincere guy, he told me never stop moving … it will never catch you if you keep moving … he is right, gotta keep forging a path forward .
Then Philly n1 getting a great seat upgrade from a dear friend, seeing one of the best shows I can remember … hard to rank Philly shows too, always so great but that Night was at the time not knowing my last show to date, sitting laid up in the hospital I was like… Well fuck if it’s done, that’s a great one to see 😁 again I felt pissed that this all happened during tour time, but looking back being in the afterglow of spectacular shows/ new album/ new friends…. That got me through…. Surreal things all around
So many other memories/ shows…. Too many to remember, but these hit me emotionally the most
Honorable mentions
Wrigley 2013
Spectrum / Yankees WS fun 2009
2009 LA Gibson Shows & San Diego
Fenway shows 2016 and 2018
Uniondale 2003 craziness
MSG 2010 amazing 2 shows
Philly Ten 2016
Bridge School multiple times
Sea Hear Now
Ohana / Encore
Apollo show
Letterman multiple times
Hartford shows
Texas 2023 good folks/ food/ football
Rock in roll hall of fame
Side project shows
Made in America
Have so many more cool pics that are being held hostage by a past flame 🤣 Talking to Ed in 2008, Meeting Mike…. Think before you say goodbye 😆
1. 1996 No Code Tour in Charlotte. I was a college freshman getting ready to vote for the first time (and seeing Pearl Jam for the first time) and everything about the show was incredible -- it resonated on so many levels. Gloria Steinem, the resistance to Jesse Helms, Ben Harper and the Fastbacks, anti-Ticketmaster, Bob Marley quote on the ticket stub. Amazing and transformative experience.
2. 2000 Binaural Tour in Virginia Beach. I was in a bad place mentally, physically, financially...and had moved home to get back on my feet. Binaural had just been released and a local radio station was giving away copies of the album and other goodies for callers who could answer PJ trivia. I called in and the question was "What is the real name of the singer of Pearl Jam?" I couldn't believe I got such an easy one! I proudly and confidently said "Edward Louis Severson III". They said "wrong" and hung up. I was devastated. I'm listening to the radio and they immediately realized they had messed up "oh shoot that guy was actually right. Caller if you're listening call back right away." So I called back and they gave me 2 GA tix to Virginia Beach! On top of that, I scored 2 GA tix from 10C. So my friends and I got to take a road trip to Virginia to see the show. Was good for me who needed something good to happen at that time.
3. 2024 Baltimore. The opening notes of Present Tense just triggered the slow waterworks...just thinking about my life and how much I've been through and how this band has been with me since I first saw the Alive video as a teenager. The lyrics hit differently when you've been with a band for three decades...songs that meant one thing then have sometimes very different meanings now. By the time "a wave came crashing like a fist to the jaw" came, I was full on bawling and singing...and it was so incredibly cathartic. Great first four sequence...Can't Keep, Present Tense, Given to Fly, Corduroy.
1996 Charlotte 1998 Raleigh 2000 Virginia Beach 2003 Raleigh 2016 RaleighThanks HB2 2016 Columbia 2020 BaltimoreThanks COVID 2022 BaltimoreThe only original COVID venue not rescheduled (due to construction) :( 2022 Denver 2024 Baltimore 2025 Raleigh 1 and 2
Great thread @SVRDhand13 ! I haven't seen them a bunch of times like some of you on here, but here goes:
1) Hearing the opening notes of "Of the Girl" in Mansfield for my first pearl jam show. Finally being at a pearl jam show after years of loving the band, but being too young and too far away to make it to the earlier shows. The moment where it actually hit me that i was going to see them was right after Sonic Youth left the stage. My best bud and I were looking at the stage and we stupidly said "Holy shit...that's Ed's guitar on the stand" lol. What an unforgettable 2 nights of music
2) My first and only GA experience in Quebec City 22. Brought a bunch of dear friends to the show - most of them for their first pj show ever. I know there's a lot of negativity on setlist threads for the veteran pearl jam show goers, but to see them that close, with my friends hearing songs like small town, corduroy and black for the first time? Awesome.
3) Much Music (my Canadian friends will know) 1992 - Seeing the Jeremy video and being instantly hooked by Jeff's bass line. The rest is history.
(2000) Mansfield I, Mansfield II (2003) Montreal (2005) Montreal, Ottawa (2006) Albany (2008) Montreal I + II (EV) (2022) Québec City
This has to be one of them for me . Getting to stand side of stage with all my friends on the rail waving and seeing the band from a place you can only dream of. Long story but my girls got squashed and we got pulled out. Friends helped us and Rob from pj radio helped and we got some passes and a set list and a set of sticks. A bad experience turned great. Thanks to great people.
brixton 93
astoria 06
albany 06
hartford 06
reading 06
barcelona 06
paris 06
wembley 07
dusseldorf 07
nijmegen 07
this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
Great thread @SVRDhand13 ! I haven't seen them a bunch of times like some of you on here, but here goes:
1) Hearing the opening notes of "Of the Girl" in Mansfield for my first pearl jam show. Finally being at a pearl jam show after years of loving the band, but being too young and too far away to make it to the earlier shows. The moment where it actually hit me that i was going to see them was right after Sonic Youth left the stage. My best bud and I were looking at the stage and we stupidly said "Holy shit...that's Ed's guitar on the stand" lol. What an unforgettable 2 nights of music
2) My first and only GA experience in Quebec City 22. Brought a bunch of dear friends to the show - most of them for their first pj show ever. I know there's a lot of negativity on setlist threads for the veteran pearl jam show goers, but to see them that close, with my friends hearing songs like small town, corduroy and black for the first time? Awesome.
3) Much Music (my Canadian friends will know) 1992 - Seeing the Jeremy video and being instantly hooked by Jeff's bass line. The rest is history.
That's what's beautiful about these discussions. Some people have seen them a handful of times, some over 100... we all have our special moments for us personally. Very happy I started this thread because it's the most enjoyable stuff I've read in a long time.
That's what's beautiful about these discussions. Some people have seen them a handful of times, some over 100... we all have our special moments for us personally. Very happy I started this thread because it's the most enjoyable stuff I've read in a long time.
It's a very cool thread, good to see some positive experiences shared online.
Seeing them at Mural Amphitheater in August of 1991, knowing they emanated from MLB, but little else Seeing them at First Avenue in March of 1992. Taking the brunt of Eddie's weight as he "fell" from the second floor railing. Seeing them in New Zealand in November of 2024. Beautiful country and wonderful shows.
Post edited by nooram on
Seattle 8/91, MPLS 3/92, St Paul 8/92, Denver 6/95, Missoula 6/98, MPLS 6/98, Albuquerque 10/00, Seattle 12/02, St Paul 6/03, Thunder Bay 9/05, DC 5/06, St Paul x2 6/06, Vancouver (EV) 4/08, DC 6/08, Chicago x2 8/09, KC 5/10, MPLS (EV) 7/11, Chicago 7/13, St Paul 10/14, Santiago 11/15, Missoula 8/18, Denver 9/22, Saint Paul 8/23, Saint Paul 9/23, Auckland, NZ x2 11/24
Comments
2. Soldier Field 1995 It was my first and wow, just wow. I was fortunately checking out the classifieds and was able to snag 2 tickets at cost. No theatrics just kicking ass all night. Finding the bootleg at my college record store a year or two later was the kickstart to join the club. I played that boot out. Everyday People is due btw. Still have the ticket and the 2 t-shirts from that night.
3. Denver 2014 39 songs. I know it says 38 on Live Footsteps, but Mike finishing with the National Anthem should be included. A wonderful long night in the pit. The set was solid all the way through with the standout being first encore closers Leash into RVM. The best part was earlier in the day. My chance encounter with Matt and Boom. We happened to be shopping at a dispensary when Matt and Boom came in. We patiently waited outside and were able to get a pic and chat for a bit. Both were super sweet.
Honorable Mention Las Vegas 2000 10th anniversary show and Crown of Thorns
Wrigley 2013 The anticipation, the rain, Chloe-Crown and the long walk back to the hotel at 3am.
Austin 2023 Birthday show in the pit and Chloe-Crown
St. Louis 1998 The wonderful lady that was on stage signing the whole show while dancing was amazing.
1. Ed dedicating a song (wishlist) to my newborn daughter at the Earthings show in Newark in ‘22.
2. My dad and I getting to strum Mike’s guitar together at the Apollo, only a few months after he finished chemo for a very rare and aggressive type of cancer.
2. LA 2009 Night 3 - surprise appearance of Chris Cornell for Hunger Strike.
1. Toronto September 11, 2011 Air Canada Centre - Night 1 Uncle Neil RITFW then home next day my Daughter was born at 8:22pm PJ on stage at 8:25pm for Toronto Night 2 (yes I missed the Sept 12th show 😢😉)
2. Toronto May 12, 2016 Air Canada Centre - Binaural in Full and Ed talked about a fundraiser at my local pub in Scarborough and the Guitar they were donating to raise funds for local kids to play music (see photo). I was the only bidder. Kids playing Pearl Jam at the pub and the money raised paid for their instruments. WIN <-> WIN 🤙
3. Toronto August 21, 2009 Molson Amphitheatre - pre-show set filling in for Ted Leo - PJ opened for PJ -> The Needle and the Damage Done Ed solo nuff said
Blessed. ❤️
The 2018 mini tour we made..so much fun!!
The first time i saw them..
Prague Krakow Berlin 2018. Berlin 2022
EV, Taormina 1+2 2017.
I wish i was the souvenir you kept your house key on..
(in chronological order, not necessarily in order of importance)
1) Picking up the album "Ten" from a CD rental shop in 1991 and copying it to a cassette tape. I didn't have the funds to buy the cd living as a juvenile in the remains of the former GDR (East Germany). Listening to the tape changed my life.
2) Listening to "Immortality" on heavy rotation for months in 1994 to cope with my best friends suicide while preparing for my A-level-exams/high school graduation exams.
3) The beginning of the 2010 Berlin show. I attended this show with my wife and our son. He was 3.5 years old at the time. It was his first ever concert. We saw a lot of different shows since then. In Berlin 2010, I cried during the first song "Long Road" (... nobody understood, but it was pure joy/luck).
1) Spending the weekend in Toronto 2011. Saw Two Gallants on Friday night, got engaged Saturday night, Pearl Jam 9/11/11 show Sunday. Long Road opener. All the tags (Modern Girl, It’s OK, etc). Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns. Neil Young coming out during RITFW and the loudest roar I’ve ever heard at a sporting event or concert before or since.
2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
2017: RRHoF 4/7 2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4 2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18
2022: MSG 9/11 2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
2. All the moments I've had visiting different countries old and new to me. It really is an incredible adventure being a Pearl Jam fan.
3. A girl at my school leant me the Angel fan club single in 93/94ish, I was already a fan but now I had a club.
2. I was in Ottawa on Mother's Day, 2016, in the pit ( Stone's side at the back) with my wife and two daughters. During the show, Ed stood on a speaker and pointed to my daughter, his shirt, me, and back to her. (We both had Clemente's 21 on, and she had her Cubs Vedder jersey.) At the show's end UP, Ed stopped and..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjwsYt3TGy0&list=FLkKdUt_mEAgl0HgrYczB8yw
3. At the Seattle EB event with my wife. We had just grabbed drinks at the bar just as things were starting; Eddie was walking towards us to get to the stage; as he approached, he stopped, put his hand out and said, 'Hey man, I saw you come in earlier, thank you so much for coming, glad you're here' to which I responded in a shocked, higher than usual pitch 'for you Ed? Anything.' Then my wife and I looked at each other and broke into laughter at the insanity of it. When we left, I held the door for a couple, and the four of us waited for our Uber (s). The dude's name was Stone or something.
Til he had more time,... more time...
Time to dream,... to himself... he waves goodbye,
To himself... I'll see you on the other side...
"Me knowing the truth, I can not concur."
1996: Toronto - 1998: Chicago, Montreal, Barrie - 2000: Montreal, Toronto - 2002: Seattle X2 (Key Arena) - 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, Seattle (Benaroya Hall) - 2004: Reading, Toledo, Grand Rapids - 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City - 2006: Toronto X2, Albany, Hartford, Grand Rapids, Cleveland - 2007: Chicago (Vic Theatre) - 2008: NYC X2, Hartford, Mansfield X2 - 2009: Toronto, Chicago X2, Seattle X2, Philadelphia X4 - 2010: Columbus, Noblesville, Cleveland, Buffalo, Hartford - 2011: Montreal, Toronto X2, Ottawa, Hamilton - 2012: Missoula - 2013: London, Chicago, Buffalo, Hartford - 2014: Detroit, Moline - 2015: NYC (Global Citizen Festival) - 2016: Greenville, Toronto X2, Chicago 1 - 2017: Brooklyn (RRHOF Induction) - 2018: Chicago 1, Boston 1 - 2022: Fresno, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, NYC, Camden - 2023: St. Paul X2, Austin X2 - 2024: Vancouver X2, Portland, Sacramento, Missoula, Noblesville, Philadelphia X2, Baltimore - 2025: Hollywood X2, Nashville X2, Pittsburgh X2
Til he had more time,... more time...
Time to dream,... to himself... he waves goodbye,
To himself... I'll see you on the other side...
The excitement leading up to this was so high, probably too high as these weren’t even close to the best shows I’ve seen… but driving from NY to Chicagoland, seeing a Cubs/Reds game on the front end…. Driving up to beautiful Wisconsin, cheese curds, beer, preparty… hanging with friends that weekend was special. My Brother, his GF, my GF all drove from NY… picked up a good friend to hang with… some crazy Shenanigans and just great memories … even did the Packers/Saints game after… my brother being a big Packers fan… just great timing with all these bucket list things ( Wrigley/ Lambeau/Alpine valley) …. NO WAY night 2 still blows my mind, release the boots for Christ sake
2024
A bittersweet year that without this band and a few select people I’ve met thru them… would have been too much to deal with. Had an unfortunate hospital stay after Philly 1, had to miss some shows and it bummed me out. The power of music and encouragement from some got me to not focus on so many shitty details and just grin and bear it….. was so much fun prior 😣… prior to Vegas trip I found out a friend had succumb to her mental illness and it was very difficult to comprehend it, one of those you’d never guess this person was hurting… mother of 2 beautiful kids, successful, beautiful inside and out…. Someone I got to know a lil more n more as the years went on, I was not in a great head space …. The show starting with SOMETIMES felt perfect, I was starting to ease into it and just let the music help heal a bit… was a powerful set Vegas 1….. she was on my mind all night, Ed made a few gestures towards me on Mikes side that night …. Got a Mike Pick few songs earlier, then Ed during Alive started to point me out for a Tambo… I was able to catch it and thought wow, what are the odds… especially this night where my head was all screwed up, it meant something to me, more than a $10 Tambo… sometimes you need something to say, maybe it’s not all random… I know I know, but that’s what I’m rolling with
So I’m fortunate enough to get MSG GA both nights this year, up front both nights. N1 got to get some of Ed’s Wine , N2 I was thinking about my dad who passed in 2007… always wanted to see a show, but life got in the way …. So I was lil emotional this night, also cause I couldn’t make it in 2003 msg due to some crazy stuff, so I brought my Croatian Flag for my dad / our heritage, and during RITFW during “ red, white and blue “ lyric I put it up and Ed pointed me out and nodded… I almost buckled 😊 it was so powerful to me, another one of these strange moments that seam otherworldly and just beautiful. I’ve had the privilege to meet Ed a bunch, he’s signed some things and had a few chats… I vaguely told him some things after his Solo shows up in Washington Heights in 2008…. Very sincere guy, he told me never stop moving … it will never catch you if you keep moving … he is right, gotta keep forging a path forward .
Then Philly n1 getting a great seat upgrade from a dear friend, seeing one of the best shows I can remember … hard to rank Philly shows too, always so great but that Night was at the time not knowing my last show to date, sitting laid up in the hospital I was like… Well fuck if it’s done, that’s a great one to see 😁 again I felt pissed that this all happened during tour time, but looking back being in the afterglow of spectacular shows/ new album/ new friends…. That got me through…. Surreal things all around
So many other memories/ shows…. Too many to remember, but these hit me emotionally the most
Honorable mentions
Wrigley 2013
Spectrum / Yankees WS fun 2009
2009 LA Gibson Shows & San Diego
Fenway shows 2016 and 2018
Uniondale 2003 craziness
MSG 2010 amazing 2 shows
Philly Ten 2016
Bridge School multiple times
Sea Hear Now
Ohana / Encore
Apollo show
Letterman multiple times
Hartford shows
Texas 2023 good folks/ food/ football
Rock in roll hall of fame
Side project shows
Made in America
Have so many more cool pics that are being held hostage by a past flame 🤣 Talking to Ed in 2008, Meeting Mike…. Think before you say goodbye 😆
2. 2000 Binaural Tour in Virginia Beach. I was in a bad place mentally, physically, financially...and had moved home to get back on my feet. Binaural had just been released and a local radio station was giving away copies of the album and other goodies for callers who could answer PJ trivia. I called in and the question was "What is the real name of the singer of Pearl Jam?" I couldn't believe I got such an easy one! I proudly and confidently said "Edward Louis Severson III". They said "wrong" and hung up. I was devastated. I'm listening to the radio and they immediately realized they had messed up "oh shoot that guy was actually right. Caller if you're listening call back right away." So I called back and they gave me 2 GA tix to Virginia Beach! On top of that, I scored 2 GA tix from 10C. So my friends and I got to take a road trip to Virginia to see the show. Was good for me who needed something good to happen at that time.
3. 2024 Baltimore. The opening notes of Present Tense just triggered the slow waterworks...just thinking about my life and how much I've been through and how this band has been with me since I first saw the Alive video as a teenager. The lyrics hit differently when you've been with a band for three decades...songs that meant one thing then have sometimes very different meanings now. By the time "a wave came crashing like a fist to the jaw" came, I was full on bawling and singing...and it was so incredibly cathartic. Great first four sequence...Can't Keep, Present Tense, Given to Fly, Corduroy.
1998 Raleigh
2000 Virginia Beach
2003 Raleigh
2016 Raleigh Thanks HB2
2016 Columbia
2020 Baltimore Thanks COVID
2022 Baltimore The only original COVID venue not rescheduled (due to construction) :(
2022 Denver
2024 Baltimore
2025 Raleigh 1 and 2
1) Hearing the opening notes of "Of the Girl" in Mansfield for my first pearl jam show. Finally being at a pearl jam show after years of loving the band, but being too young and too far away to make it to the earlier shows. The moment where it actually hit me that i was going to see them was right after Sonic Youth left the stage. My best bud and I were looking at the stage and we stupidly said "Holy shit...that's Ed's guitar on the stand" lol. What an unforgettable 2 nights of music
2) My first and only GA experience in Quebec City 22. Brought a bunch of dear friends to the show - most of them for their first pj show ever. I know there's a lot of negativity on setlist threads for the veteran pearl jam show goers, but to see them that close, with my friends hearing songs like small town, corduroy and black for the first time? Awesome.
3) Much Music (my Canadian friends will know) 1992 - Seeing the Jeremy video and being instantly hooked by Jeff's bass line. The rest is history.
(2000) Mansfield I, Mansfield II (2003) Montreal (2005) Montreal, Ottawa (2006) Albany (2008) Montreal I + II (EV) (2022) Québec City
Long story but my girls got squashed and we got pulled out. Friends helped us and Rob from pj radio helped and we got some passes and a set list and a set of sticks. A bad experience turned great. Thanks to great people.
astoria 06
albany 06
hartford 06
reading 06
barcelona 06
paris 06
wembley 07
dusseldorf 07
nijmegen 07
this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
2017: RRHoF 4/7 2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4 2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18
2022: MSG 9/11 2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
Seeing them at First Avenue in March of 1992. Taking the brunt of Eddie's weight as he "fell" from the second floor railing.
Seeing them in New Zealand in November of 2024. Beautiful country and wonderful shows.
#2 Wrigley 2013
#1 Standing behind the 3rd base dugout at Progressive Field celebrating as Ed was celebrating on the field with/right in front of us - 2016
Last show at the Spectrum.
Taking my kids to their first shows (Wrigley 2018, St Louis 2022)
Shout out to first show, Alpine 1998. Also, what really fueled my fandom was missing out on Chicago 94 and 95.
Nuclear fission