1. 8/25/98. Pittsburgh. First time seeing them and feeling like I belonged somewhere for the first time. Opening with Release and seeing No Way the first time they ever played it. That experience and the Yield album changed everything for me.
2. The Riot act tour started my days as a touring fan and met some great friends along the way. Pittsburgh, State College, Columbus, Bristow, and Hershey.
3. Meeting the band in 2006 in Philly and seeing another 5 or 6 shows that tour.
Too many others over the years. Spectrum, Ohana, listening to Alright as I waited to be called in for my daughter’s birth, getting together with friends for every show are all up there.
Post edited by rival9500 on
1998: Pitt
2000: Pitt
2003: Pitt, State College, Columbus,DC, Hershey
2004: Reading, Toledo, DC
2005: Pitt
2006: Cleve, Camden 1+2, DC, Pitt, Cinci
2008: Camden 1+2, DC
2009: Philly 3
2010: Columbus
2012: Philly
2013: Pitt, NYC 1+2
October 19th, 1993: What was a normal Tuesday morning for everybody else, I chose to skip school and drive to the nearest music shop to buy Vs. on CD. I spent the rest of the day driving around my town, listening to the album on repeat (sadly, that CD would be stolen a few months later when my friends and I went to the video store and one of them left my door unlocked. Somebody opened the door and took my CD player.....and now I'm realizing this whole story is like the most early 90s story because I touched up a music shop, a CD, a CD player, and video store. I was probably wearing flannel at the time as well.)
April 16th, 2016: I get to relive that "normal October Tuesday in 1993" all over again by watching the band I love play that same album in its entirety unannounced and still cannot believe I got to witness it live in a small South Carolina town.
April 19th, 2003: Getting to see them play Crown of Thorns live for the third time ever with a Chloe Dancer piano intro assist by Brendan O'Brien.
We are the facilitators of our own creative evolution.--Bill Hicks
Thanks for the shoutout in the newsletter Ten Club!
It’s great to see positive engagement highlighted.
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
Lots of amazing experiences to choose from…so hard to narrow it down to just 3 but here goes:
1. 10/22/13 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia PA. This was the first tour PJ had a GA pit and I got rail right in front of Ed. He recognized me from the Spectrum Halloween show and made a very special dedication for me that was so insightful it helped me correct my life’s path. It had come after a particularly dark year where my neighbor intentionally shot and killed my dog, my nephew died of a fentanyl overdose, and I had made some very poor decisions that hurt a lot of people I love. The lyrics of Parachutes ‘..I don’t want to know your past, but together share the dawn’ cleansed my sole, helped me heal and move past all that noise to become a better version of myself.
2. 11/22 -24/05 Halifax, St John, Canada This was the first time I had a random encounter with a band member, (MM) and Halifax was my first shows with my own fan club # tickets. I was pregnant with my second child when PJ announced their Canadian tour. I wanted to catch a few shows but was due to give birth in that same time frame so I decided to try to deliver the baby via VBAC (to speed recovery) but it went horribly wrong when I had a uterine rupture, went into shock, and almost lost the baby. About 7 weeks later, when we’d both recovered, I decided live music was exactly what I needed; so I enlisted my niece, who was 19 at the time, to join us to provide child care while I went to the shows. The first show was amazing- (if you haven’t heard the Halifax boot you should give it a listen!) I ended up with 11th row seats right in front of Stone, and got a pick from him, and everything was grand! Then it was on to St Johns for two more shows… There was a night off between the two cities and my niece wanted to go to the bar in the hotel since she was legal to drink in Canada but not in the U.S., so I agreed. She ended up meeting some locals, going downtown, getting shit faced, and staying out til 4am while I lay awake worrying she was dead. The next morning came way too soon for all of us when both kids woke up screaming with ear aches from the pressurized air of the flights. To give her some space I packed up the kids, one in a stroller and the other in a bjorn, and walked all over the city in the wind and rain while my niece slept off her binge. When show time came she was still in pretty bad shape and didn’t want to watch the kids. I was pissed. So we agreed that I would just run down to the venue last minute and she could call me if she couldn’t deal. She blew up my phone the entire show, causing me to leave early and was still ill the next day. I was not about to let her stupidity ruin the 2nd nights show - we’d come 2000 miles and she had one job - so I took both kids down to the lobby with books and toys and tried occupying them while she slept. Like 3 hrs into it the kids were cranky and wanted a change so I head out to a little cafe across the street. As we’re eating I look out the window and spot Mike walking with his wife and a few other folks. He had bright red hair at the time and was impossible to miss. I asked a waitresses to watch my 2yr old and me and the baby ran across 6 lanes of traffic to talk to him on the street. I don’t even remember what I said but he asked my name, was very nice and wished me well. Later, back at the hotel I saw him again and he came up to me, calling me by name and we spoke for a bit longer and he signed my ticket stub from the night before. Later that evening he spotted me in the crowd and pointed to me and did a little ‘ rock the baby’ thing with his arms then proceeded to melt my face while looking directly into my eyes during Black. I again had to leave the show early b/c by this point the niece and both kids were all crying to me over the phone, but I didn’t care, I was on cloud nine.
3. 4/06/94 Springfield MA This was where it all began. The local record store had a promotion that if you bought the Vs. album you were entered into a drawing to win a spot on their ‘tour bus’ which was two tickets to the Springfield show and a ride there & back on a Coach bus. I won and me & my friend baked a batch of ‘adults only’ brownies and giggled all the way to Massachusetts. When we got into the show our seats were killer - 3rd row aisle seats side stage right off the floor. As soon as the band hit the first chords of RVM the floor erupted and we realized we didn’t want to be in seats anymore. During Whipping we went over the barricade into the pit straight into the lions den, getting jostled around in the crowd, fully absorbed in the music, loving every minute.
From that point forward I never looked back.
Honorable mentions:
6/20/95 - Red Rocks Amphitheater CO - best venue ever, amazing setlist, all around 10/10.
5/3/10 - Kansas City MO - best show after the show. The Gas & Lights district had a huge indoor mall right across from the venue and they were showing the 7/8/03 Live at the Garden DVD on a giant screen in the courtyard. It seemed like the whole crowd just left the show and migrated here and the party continued into the wee hours.
7/2/2012 Prague, CZ - Was on the guest list and went backstage after the show. Oh, and they opened the 1st encore w/Of The Girl.
10/2/21 Ohana, Dana Point CA If you watch the video you can see that during Unthought Known Ed is totally locked in to someone in the crowd > yeah, that was me. I swear his eyes pierced my brain and our thoughts at that moment were shared telepathically.
10/4/08 Brooklyn NY - drank Heinekens at the Warsaw Bar w/Stone at his ‘Dig It’ after party.
Lots of amazing experiences to choose from…so hard to narrow it down to just 3 but here goes:
1. 10/22/13 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia PA. This was the first tour PJ had a GA pit and I got rail right in front of Ed. He recognized me from the Spectrum Halloween show and made a very special dedication for me that was so insightful it helped me correct my life’s path. It had come after a particularly dark year where my neighbor intentionally shot and killed my dog, my nephew died of a fentanyl overdose, and I had made some very poor decisions that hurt a lot of people I love. The lyrics of Parachutes ‘..I don’t want to know your past, but together share the dawn’ cleansed my sole, helped me heal and move past all that noise to become a better version of myself.
2. 11/22 -24/05 Halifax, St John, Canada This was the first time I had a random encounter with a band member, (MM) and Halifax was my first shows with my own fan club # tickets. I was pregnant with my second child when PJ announced their Canadian tour. I wanted to catch a few shows but was due to give birth in that same time frame so I decided to try to deliver the baby via VBAC (to speed recovery) but it went horribly wrong when I had a uterine rupture, went into shock, and almost lost the baby. About 7 weeks later, when we’d both recovered, I decided live music was exactly what I needed; so I enlisted my niece, who was 19 at the time, to join us to provide child care while I went to the shows. The first show was amazing- (if you haven’t heard the Halifax boot you should give it a listen!) I ended up with 11th row seats right in front of Stone, and got a pick from him, and everything was grand! Then it was on to St Johns for two more shows… There was a night off between the two cities and my niece wanted to go to the bar in the hotel since she was legal to drink in Canada but not in the U.S., so I agreed. She ended up meeting some locals, going downtown, getting shit faced, and staying out til 4am while I lay awake worrying she was dead. The next morning came way too soon for all of us when both kids woke up screaming with ear aches from the pressurized air of the flights. To give her some space I packed up the kids, one in a stroller and the other in a bjorn, and walked all over the city in the wind and rain while my niece slept off her binge. When show time came she was still in pretty bad shape and didn’t want to watch the kids. I was pissed. So we agreed that I would just run down to the venue last minute and she could call me if she couldn’t deal. She blew up my phone the entire show, causing me to leave early and was still ill the next day. I was not about to let her stupidity ruin the 2nd nights show - we’d come 2000 miles and she had one job - so I took both kids down to the lobby with books and toys and tried occupying them while she slept. Like 3 hrs into it the kids were cranky and wanted a change so I head out to a little cafe across the street. As we’re eating I look out the window and spot Mike walking with his wife and a few other folks. He had bright red hair at the time and was impossible to miss. I asked a waitresses to watch my 2yr old and me and the baby ran across 6 lanes of traffic to talk to him on the street. I don’t even remember what I said but he asked my name, was very nice and wished me well. Later, back at the hotel I saw him again and he came up to me, calling me by name and we spoke for a bit longer and he signed my ticket stub from the night before. Later that evening he spotted me in the crowd and pointed to me and did a little ‘ rock the baby’ thing with his arms then proceeded to melt my face while looking directly into my eyes during Black. I again had to leave the show early b/c by this point the niece and both kids were all crying to me over the phone, but I didn’t care, I was on cloud nine.
3. 4/06/94 Springfield MA This was where it all began. The local record store had a promotion that if you bought the Vs. album you were entered into a drawing to win a spot on their ‘tour bus’ which was two tickets to the Springfield show and a ride there & back on a Coach bus. I won and me & my friend baked a batch of ‘adults only’ brownies and giggled all the way to Massachusetts. When we got into the show our seats were killer - 3rd row aisle seats side stage right off the floor. As soon as the band hit the first chords of RVM the floor erupted and we realized we didn’t want to be in seats anymore. During Whipping we went over the barricade into the pit straight into the lions den, getting jostled around in the crowd, fully absorbed in the music, loving every minute.
From that point forward I never looked back.
Honorable mentions:
6/20/95 - Red Rocks Amphitheater CO - best venue ever, amazing setlist, all around 10/10.
5/3/10 - Kansas City MO - best show after the show. The Gas & Lights district had a huge indoor mall right across from the venue and they were showing the 7/8/03 Live at the Garden DVD on a giant screen in the courtyard. It seemed like the whole crowd just left the show and migrated here and the party continued into the wee hours.
7/2/2012 Prague, CZ - Was on the guest list and went backstage after the show. Oh, and they opened the 1st encore w/Of The Girl.
10/2/21 Ohana, Dana Point CA If you watch the video you can see that during Unthought Known Ed is totally locked in to someone in the crowd > yeah, that was me. I swear his eyes pierced my brain and our thoughts at that moment were shared telepathically.
10/4/08 Brooklyn NY - drank Heinekens at the Warsaw Bar w/Stone at his ‘Dig It’ after party.
Hi! My name’s Julie, if I DM you my info will you be my friend? 😂😂😂 Great share!!!
1) I was a casual fan for a long time but the tide started to turn around 2006-2008. I was in a relationship with a beautiful woman and she was one of the first people I knew that had an Ipod. Anyways one time I woke up and "Go" came on on her Ipod and I was like holy shit this song is awesome. I remember looking over and she was asleep and there was just a moment where everything connected. To this day whenever I hear that song, I still remember that moment.
2) Phoenix 2013- I had floor seats and it was on my Mom's birthday and it was her final birthday before she passed. They played for 3 hours including "Alone", "Bee Girl" and "Around The Bend." I remember singing along to every song and ended up losing my voice and getting really sick. (Totally worth it.)
3) Denver 2022- I had been exploring downtown Denver all day including going to a Rockies game and of course included day drinking. I stopped at Union Station for one last beer and this dude sat next to me who just flew in from Stl. Louis for the concert. One thing led to another and ended up drinking 3 shots of whiskey in 45 minutes with him, the bartender and some random lady. Didn't pay for any of it and never saw any of them again. They proceeded to play "Present Tense" and "Thin Air" which were on my song list. I may have teared up a little bit and it wasn't from drinking all day.
1. First bootleg. London 5/30/00. This tipped the scales into hardcore fandom. I had enjoyed Ten, Vs., and their earlier albums, but this was my first bootleg. I was instantly hooked. I loved the Binaural-heavy setlist. Katowice II and other gems soon followed.
2. Grand Rapids '04 & '06. Vote For Change Tour at the Delta Plex. What a trash can! But the energy inside was electric. Kick out the Jams motherfucker! '06. The ticket mix up. New people won the first few rows of seats and the crowd was insane. Got the "experiment" with Hard to Imagine, Off He Goes, Parting Ways, Around the Bend, etc. Probably my favorite crowd next to Winnipeg '05.
3. Pearl Jam/Tom Petty 2006. Backstage passes to night one. Saw Petty on his tour bus and watched the band walk past me as they prepared to go onstage. As they opened with Interstellar Overdrive into Corduroy, I was standing next to Mike Campbell side-stage just enjoying the moment. Ed joining Tom for American Girl and The Waiting over the two nights. So cool to see two of my favorites on the same stage two nights in a row!
Honorable mention:
PJ20. Such a cool event other than the rain and the parking. Setlists were insane and seeing Chris come out to play TOTD, was mind-blowing. Unforgettable weekend.
St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center. Seen them 6 times there and impossible to decide which show I liked the best. I'll go with St. Paul II, 2023.
Winnipeg 2005. Possibly the loudest crowd I've been part of. The anticipation of a Neil Young appearance was suspenseful, but alas he didn't show up. Ed told a cool story about Neil being a land baron in California. Got Fuckin' Up and RITFW to close out the show.
I have had an unconventional life (it's not a secret or anything but I don't want to derail the thread. Will probably tell when I meet ya'll in Raleigh or Pittsburgh) and so in the early 1990s I was inmy country of birth. I became a megafan in 1991 but of course could not see them live or anything. Not a place they ever visited or likely to. All this to say I did not have the kind of experiences most of ya'll had and described in thos thread. But I did buy the albums on cassettes and played them nonstop to the chagrin of my very religious conservative parents.
I took them with me when I ran away from home and hid somewhere else in the country. It was the soundtrack to all of it. And everything that followed.
Lots happened since then & I found myself fleeing to another country. Then in 2017 to this one.
Only in 2024 I was able to see the band live in Fenway. You can imagine the elation, sense of euphoria and sheer happiness I was feeling. Felt like a triumph.
my first concert. I had discovered the group 7 years ago with VS at 13 years old. This group charged my life from that moment on. he accompanied me at all times. the best and the worst. and every day! Anyway, in the morning I take school exams and then with a great friend we hitchhike to join another friend. then we go to Switzerland from France. several hours of driving, an adventure! and then we discover PJ’s fans while chatting outside. we arrive during the first part (no experiences at the time!). Then the crazy concert! I take everything as it comes, it’s fabulous, how is that possible? the trilogy insignificance, RVM and porch I was in a trance. then we ended up running under jets of water in the early morning, still levitating... All that's sacred comes from youth.
2. Firenze, Italy 21/09/2006 we had to wait 6 very long years for them to return to Europe... it's such a long time. for this year 3 concerts on the program: Bern, Verona and Pistoia (for my birthday). This is my first PJ road trip, all other European tours will follow. And then we do a little visiting with my wife in Firenze... and I come face to face with Mike! Shit ! I don't want to bother him but I just want to say thank you. for everything. In short, all the testimonies agree: he is so nice and cool. When I shook his hand, I was surprised that such small hands could be like... one of the most magical things. we talked a little, I remember him telling me he had a pen with Mont Blanc (my region in France), he also thanked me, this guy is fantastic. he was like me with his wife and his camera.
3.I've already done 4 concerts on Gigaton's European tour, and I'm taking my wife to Vienna and Prague. and then the cancellations happen. I'm depressed. we go to a club / bar in the evening in Prague. And there are lots of PJ t-shirts. Italians, Spanish, Germans... we party all night until dawn dancing to PJ, Nirvana, etc... like crazy. like lifelong friends. This is the Pearl Jam family. it's magnificent.
And..
this sunset over the sea during long road song to the ancient theater of Taormina during an Eddie concert, followed by fireworks.
Otherwise of course the concerts! where I experienced some of the best times of my life. with this side that I love so much: what will be the next song? thank you for this incredible and unexpected setlist! the top 5 (it changes all the time): Berlin 2014, Krakow 2018, Amsterdam 2 2012, Pistoia 2006 and Barcelona 2 2024
Lots of amazing experiences to choose from…so hard to narrow it down to just 3 but here goes:
1. 10/22/13 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia PA. This was the first tour PJ had a GA pit and I got rail right in front of Ed. He recognized me from the Spectrum Halloween show and made a very special dedication for me that was so insightful it helped me correct my life’s path. It had come after a particularly dark year where my neighbor intentionally shot and killed my dog, my nephew died of a fentanyl overdose, and I had made some very poor decisions that hurt a lot of people I love. The lyrics of Parachutes ‘..I don’t want to know your past, but together share the dawn’ cleansed my sole, helped me heal and move past all that noise to become a better version of myself.
2. 11/22 -24/05 Halifax, St John, Canada This was the first time I had a random encounter with a band member, (MM) and Halifax was my first shows with my own fan club # tickets. I was pregnant with my second child when PJ announced their Canadian tour. I wanted to catch a few shows but was due to give birth in that same time frame so I decided to try to deliver the baby via VBAC (to speed recovery) but it went horribly wrong when I had a uterine rupture, went into shock, and almost lost the baby. About 7 weeks later, when we’d both recovered, I decided live music was exactly what I needed; so I enlisted my niece, who was 19 at the time, to join us to provide child care while I went to the shows. The first show was amazing- (if you haven’t heard the Halifax boot you should give it a listen!) I ended up with 11th row seats right in front of Stone, and got a pick from him, and everything was grand! Then it was on to St Johns for two more shows… There was a night off between the two cities and my niece wanted to go to the bar in the hotel since she was legal to drink in Canada but not in the U.S., so I agreed. She ended up meeting some locals, going downtown, getting shit faced, and staying out til 4am while I lay awake worrying she was dead. The next morning came way too soon for all of us when both kids woke up screaming with ear aches from the pressurized air of the flights. To give her some space I packed up the kids, one in a stroller and the other in a bjorn, and walked all over the city in the wind and rain while my niece slept off her binge. When show time came she was still in pretty bad shape and didn’t want to watch the kids. I was pissed. So we agreed that I would just run down to the venue last minute and she could call me if she couldn’t deal. She blew up my phone the entire show, causing me to leave early and was still ill the next day. I was not about to let her stupidity ruin the 2nd nights show - we’d come 2000 miles and she had one job - so I took both kids down to the lobby with books and toys and tried occupying them while she slept. Like 3 hrs into it the kids were cranky and wanted a change so I head out to a little cafe across the street. As we’re eating I look out the window and spot Mike walking with his wife and a few other folks. He had bright red hair at the time and was impossible to miss. I asked a waitresses to watch my 2yr old and me and the baby ran across 6 lanes of traffic to talk to him on the street. I don’t even remember what I said but he asked my name, was very nice and wished me well. Later, back at the hotel I saw him again and he came up to me, calling me by name and we spoke for a bit longer and he signed my ticket stub from the night before. Later that evening he spotted me in the crowd and pointed to me and did a little ‘ rock the baby’ thing with his arms then proceeded to melt my face while looking directly into my eyes during Black. I again had to leave the show early b/c by this point the niece and both kids were all crying to me over the phone, but I didn’t care, I was on cloud nine.
3. 4/06/94 Springfield MA This was where it all began. The local record store had a promotion that if you bought the Vs. album you were entered into a drawing to win a spot on their ‘tour bus’ which was two tickets to the Springfield show and a ride there & back on a Coach bus. I won and me & my friend baked a batch of ‘adults only’ brownies and giggled all the way to Massachusetts. When we got into the show our seats were killer - 3rd row aisle seats side stage right off the floor. As soon as the band hit the first chords of RVM the floor erupted and we realized we didn’t want to be in seats anymore. During Whipping we went over the barricade into the pit straight into the lions den, getting jostled around in the crowd, fully absorbed in the music, loving every minute.
From that point forward I never looked back.
Honorable mentions:
6/20/95 - Red Rocks Amphitheater CO - best venue ever, amazing setlist, all around 10/10.
5/3/10 - Kansas City MO - best show after the show. The Gas & Lights district had a huge indoor mall right across from the venue and they were showing the 7/8/03 Live at the Garden DVD on a giant screen in the courtyard. It seemed like the whole crowd just left the show and migrated here and the party continued into the wee hours.
7/2/2012 Prague, CZ - Was on the guest list and went backstage after the show. Oh, and they opened the 1st encore w/Of The Girl.
10/2/21 Ohana, Dana Point CA If you watch the video you can see that during Unthought Known Ed is totally locked in to someone in the crowd > yeah, that was me. I swear his eyes pierced my brain and our thoughts at that moment were shared telepathically.
10/4/08 Brooklyn NY - drank Heinekens at the Warsaw Bar w/Stone at his ‘Dig It’ after party.
My first show in 1995 in Australia lying on the hill listening to Black watching the stars. Meeting my dear friends Angela & Rachel in the merch line in St Paul 2023 Finally making onto the rail at Fenway 1 2024 with my friend Maya
Eastern Creek 95,Syd 1 98,Bris 2 98, Syd 1&2 03, Reading Fest 06, Bris 1 06, London 09, Hyde Park 10, Gold Coast BDO 14 Budapest 22 Krakow 22 Amsterdam 22 St Paul 1&2 23 Chicago 1&2 23 Chicago 1&2 24 New York 1 24 Philly 1&2 24 Boston 1&2 24 Gold Coast 24 Melbourne 1 24 Sydney 1&2 24
1. PJ20 Weekend 2. Universal Amphitheater 2009 Chris Cornell comes out for Hungerstrike. 3. Santa Barbara Bowl 2003 Temple of the Dog Mini Set and John Frusciante joining the band onstage. 4. Being on the rail for Last Exit Golden Gate Park San Francisco 1995 before Eddie got sick 5. I Got Shit Ohana 2021 first show after the long Covid shutdown. 6. Black Missoula 1998 7. Not For You with Tag Gorge 2005 8. Alive San Diego 2006 9. Release San Diego 1995 Night 1 10. Breath LA Sports Arena Night 2 2013
Bridge Benefit 1994, San Francisco 1995, San Diego 1995 1 & 2, Missoula 1998, Los Angeles 2000, San Diego 2000, Eddie Vedder/Beck 2/26/2002, Santa Barbara 2003, Irvine 2003, San Diego 2003, Vancouver 2005, Gorge 2005, San Diego 2006, Los Angeles 2006 1 & 2, Santa Barbara 2006, Eddie Vedder 4/10/08, Eddie Vedder 4/12/08, Eddie Vedder 4/15/08, 7/12/2008, SF 8/28/09, LA 9/30/09, LA 10/1/09, LA 10/06/09, LA 10/07/09, San Diego 10/09/09, Eddie Vedder 7/6/2011, Eddie Vedder 7/8/2011, PJ20 9/3/2011, PJ20 9/4/2011, Vancouver 9/25/2011, San Diego 11/21/13, LA 11/24/13, Ohana 9/25/21, Ohana 9/26/21, Ohana 10/1/21, EV 2/17/22, LA Forum 5/6/22, LA Forum 5/7/22, EV 10/1/22, EV 9/30/23
Listening to the Milan 2006 Bootleg - I remember this being the show I listened to in MP3 format on my way to school every morning. That crowd is ridiculous. Hearing the South American crowds in 2005 was incredible…the first time the crowds were really coming through on boot. But that Milan boot just took me to other places in my brain looking out that window. Best Black, best Daughter, great Faithful, and Eddie absolutely crushes the first 3 songs
2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
my first concert. I had discovered the group 7 years ago with VS at 13 years old. This group charged my life from that moment on. he accompanied me at all times. the best and the worst. and every day! Anyway, in the morning I take school exams and then with a great friend we hitchhike to join another friend. then we go to Switzerland from France. several hours of driving, an adventure! and then we discover PJ’s fans while chatting outside. we arrive during the first part (no experiences at the time!). Then the crazy concert! I take everything as it comes, it’s fabulous, how is that possible? the trilogy insignificance, RVM and porch I was in a trance. then we ended up running under jets of water in the early morning, still levitating... All that's sacred comes from youth.
2. Firenze, Italy 21/09/2006 we had to wait 6 very long years for them to return to Europe... it's such a long time. for this year 3 concerts on the program: Bern, Verona and Pistoia (for my birthday). This is my first PJ road trip, all other European tours will follow. And then we do a little visiting with my wife in Firenze... and I come face to face with Mike! Shit ! I don't want to bother him but I just want to say thank you. for everything. In short, all the testimonies agree: he is so nice and cool. When I shook his hand, I was surprised that such small hands could be like... one of the most magical things. we talked a little, I remember him telling me he had a pen with Mont Blanc (my region in France), he also thanked me, this guy is fantastic. he was like me with his wife and his camera.
3.I've already done 4 concerts on Gigaton's European tour, and I'm taking my wife to Vienna and Prague. and then the cancellations happen. I'm depressed. we go to a club / bar in the evening in Prague. And there are lots of PJ t-shirts. Italians, Spanish, Germans... we party all night until dawn dancing to PJ, Nirvana, etc... like crazy. like lifelong friends. This is the Pearl Jam family. it's magnificent.
And..
this sunset over the sea during long road song to the ancient theater of Taormina during an Eddie concert, followed by fireworks.
Otherwise of course the concerts! where I experienced some of the best times of my life. with this side that I love so much: what will be the next song? thank you for this incredible and unexpected setlist! the top 5 (it changes all the time): Berlin 2014, Krakow 2018, Amsterdam 2 2012, Pistoia 2006 and Barcelona 2 2024
The sunset in Taormina!!..how did i forget this??..great memory!!
Athens 2006. Dusseldorf 2007. Berlin 2009. Venice 2010. Amsterdam 1 2012. Amsterdam 1+2 2014. Buenos Aires 2015. Prague Krakow Berlin 2018. Berlin 2022 EV, Taormina 1+2 2017.
I wish i was the souvenir you kept your house key on..
1. Manchester 2024: Eddie putting my EDUCATION banner (drawn by one of my students - an architect) on his organ and handing me one of his EV21 guitar pick 2. London 2022: Eddie tossing an intact tambourine to me and Mike taking a picture of me on the rail with his Polaroid camera 3. Athens 2006: My very first show
Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1&2 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024
- After 2 cancellations in Berlin (We were there) Day before first show
we crossed paths with Mike, I just stopped looking at him and he came to us (Me
my Wife and 2 kids with PJ shirts) so we talked about cancellation shows and if
we would get shows in Barcelona. He was super nice, asked all of us our names
we took some photos and my daughter gave him a bracelet she made with Waiting
for Stevie written. After a few hours we crossed paths again and he
complemented us again.
- Next day 1st show we were seated in the stands and when
Present Tense starts a message appears on screens saying: “Tonight we dedicate
this song to Daniel, Susana, Joana, João” all our names
- 2nd show we were in the rail 3rd in line in front
of Mike and he recognizes me and my daughter from our encounter and showed her
he had the bracelet on his wrist. Just before Waiting for Stevie he points to
Eddie and when the songs starts he points at her saying “This one is for you”.
Near the end Mike throws a bunch of picks our way, we got 11 of them.
During Black Eddie gives my daughter a Tambourine.
2. Cascais 11/25/1996
- My first PJ show
3. New York MSG 9/11/2022
- Our 1st trip to the US as a family, for us being from
Portugal it is a big deal and dream came true.
1. Seeing the Jeremy video for the first time (blew my mind) 2. Rupp Arena 2003 (my first PJ show) 3. Ruoff Indy 2024 (first pit experience)
"And the young, they can lose hope 'Cause they can't see beyond today The wisdom that the old can't give away, hey Constant recoil Sometimes life don't leave you alone."
1. SAD dedication in memory of my Dad and father-in-law in 2022- St. Louis. When Ed said my name i thought, this has to be someone else and when I realized it was me I stared at the ceiling for a sec and had my hand over my mouth for first part before singing my lungs out.
2. Getting to take my teenager to her first concerts in Vegas in 2024 and having her experience PJ and the pj community was so precious. During Setting Sun on night two, I put my arm around her for a second just to soak in that feeling of pure bliss and love. It was magical.
3. 1st show in 1996, Merriwether Post in Maryland. I had front row via 10c and I just remember having an outdoor of body experience that night during Black. I just had such a feeling of gratefulness. I couldn't believe I was seeing my fave band that close. I remember studying Eds face as he sung because of all the emotion and passion. Mesmerizing!
And as a side note, I have a special friendship born from my PJ obsession that I cherish. I am so very grateful for it. It is an ongoing PJ moment.
Comments
2. The Riot act tour started my days as a touring fan and met some great friends along the way. Pittsburgh, State College, Columbus, Bristow, and Hershey.
3. Meeting the band in 2006 in Philly and seeing another 5 or 6 shows that tour.
2000: Pitt
2003: Pitt, State College, Columbus,DC, Hershey
2004: Reading, Toledo, DC
2005: Pitt
2006: Cleve, Camden 1+2, DC, Pitt, Cinci
2008: Camden 1+2, DC
2009: Philly 3
2010: Columbus
2012: Philly
2013: Pitt, NYC 1+2
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
"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
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
Mansfield '08
Hartford '10
Worcester, Hartford '13
Global Citizen, NY '15
1. 10/22/13 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia PA.
This was the first tour PJ had a GA pit and I got rail right in front of Ed. He recognized me from the Spectrum Halloween show and made a very special dedication for me that was so insightful it helped me correct my life’s path. It had come after a particularly dark year where my neighbor intentionally shot and killed my dog, my nephew died of a fentanyl overdose, and I had made some very poor decisions that hurt a lot of people I love. The lyrics of Parachutes ‘..I don’t want to know your past, but together share the dawn’ cleansed my sole, helped me heal and move past all that noise to become a better version of myself.
This was the first time I had a random encounter with a band member, (MM) and Halifax was my first shows with my own fan club # tickets.
I was pregnant with my second child when PJ announced their Canadian tour. I wanted to catch a few shows but was due to give birth in that same time frame so I decided to try to deliver the baby via VBAC (to speed recovery) but it went horribly wrong when I had a uterine rupture, went into shock, and almost lost the baby. About 7 weeks later, when we’d both recovered, I decided live music was exactly what I needed; so I enlisted my niece, who was 19 at the time, to join us to provide child care while I went to the shows. The first show was amazing- (if you haven’t heard the Halifax boot you should give it a listen!) I ended up with 11th row seats right in front of Stone, and got a pick from him, and everything was grand!
Then it was on to St Johns for two more shows…
There was a night off between the two cities and my niece wanted to go to the bar in the hotel since she was legal to drink in Canada but not in the U.S., so I agreed. She ended up meeting some locals, going downtown, getting shit faced, and staying out til 4am while I lay awake worrying she was dead.
The next morning came way too soon for all of us when both kids woke up screaming with ear aches from the pressurized air of the flights. To give her some space I packed up the kids, one in a stroller and the other in a bjorn, and walked all over the city in the wind and rain while my niece slept off her binge. When show time came she was still in pretty bad shape and didn’t want to watch the kids. I was pissed. So we agreed that I would just run down to the venue last minute and she could call me if she couldn’t deal. She blew up my phone the entire show, causing me to leave early and was still ill the next day. I was not about to let her stupidity ruin the 2nd nights show - we’d come 2000 miles and she had one job - so I took both kids down to the lobby with books and toys and tried occupying them while she slept. Like 3 hrs into it the kids were cranky and wanted a change so I head out to a little cafe across the street. As we’re eating I look out the window and spot Mike walking with his wife and a few other folks. He had bright red hair at the time and was impossible to miss. I asked a waitresses to watch my 2yr old and me and the baby ran across 6 lanes of traffic to talk to him on the street. I don’t even remember what I said but he asked my name, was very nice and wished me well. Later, back at the hotel I saw him again and he came up to me, calling me by name and we spoke for a bit longer and he signed my ticket stub from the night before. Later that evening he spotted me in the crowd and pointed to me and did a little ‘ rock the baby’ thing with his arms then proceeded to melt my face while looking directly into my eyes during Black.
I again had to leave the show early b/c by this point the niece and both kids were all crying to me over the phone, but I didn’t care, I was on cloud nine.
3. 4/06/94 Springfield MA
This was where it all began. The local record store had a promotion that if you bought the Vs. album you were entered into a drawing to win a spot on their ‘tour bus’ which was two tickets to the Springfield show and a ride there & back on a Coach bus. I won and me & my friend baked a batch of ‘adults only’ brownies and giggled all the way to Massachusetts. When we got into the show our seats were killer - 3rd row aisle seats side stage right off the floor. As soon as the band hit the first chords of RVM the floor erupted and we realized we didn’t want to be in seats anymore. During Whipping we went over the barricade into the pit straight into the lions den, getting jostled around in the crowd, fully absorbed in the music, loving every minute.
Honorable mentions:
6/20/95 - Red Rocks Amphitheater CO - best venue ever, amazing setlist, all around 10/10.
5/3/10 - Kansas City MO - best show after the show. The Gas & Lights district had a huge indoor mall right across from the venue and they were showing the 7/8/03 Live at the Garden DVD on a giant screen in the courtyard. It seemed like the whole crowd just left the show and migrated here and the party continued into the wee hours.
7/2/2012 Prague, CZ - Was on the guest list and went backstage after the show. Oh, and they opened the 1st encore w/Of The Girl.
10/2/21 Ohana, Dana Point CA
If you watch the video you can see that during Unthought Known Ed is totally locked in to someone in the crowd > yeah, that was me. I swear his eyes pierced my brain and our thoughts at that moment were shared telepathically.
10/4/08 Brooklyn NY - drank Heinekens at the Warsaw Bar w/Stone at his ‘Dig It’ after party.
Great share!!!
1) I was a casual fan for a long time but the tide started to turn around 2006-2008. I was in a relationship with a beautiful woman and she was one of the first people I knew that had an Ipod. Anyways one time I woke up and "Go" came on on her Ipod and I was like holy shit this song is awesome. I remember looking over and she was asleep and there was just a moment where everything connected. To this day whenever I hear that song, I still remember that moment.
2) Phoenix 2013- I had floor seats and it was on my Mom's birthday and it was her final birthday before she passed. They played for 3 hours including "Alone", "Bee Girl" and "Around The Bend." I remember singing along to every song and ended up losing my voice and getting really sick. (Totally worth it.)
3) Denver 2022- I had been exploring downtown Denver all day including going to a Rockies game and of course included day drinking. I stopped at Union Station for one last beer and this dude sat next to me who just flew in from Stl. Louis for the concert. One thing led to another and ended up drinking 3 shots of whiskey in 45 minutes with him, the bartender and some random lady. Didn't pay for any of it and never saw any of them again. They proceeded to play "Present Tense" and "Thin Air" which were on my song list. I may have teared up a little bit and it wasn't from drinking all day.
1. First bootleg. London 5/30/00. This tipped the scales into hardcore fandom. I had enjoyed Ten, Vs., and their earlier albums, but this was my first bootleg. I was instantly hooked. I loved the Binaural-heavy setlist. Katowice II and other gems soon followed.
2. Grand Rapids '04 & '06. Vote For Change Tour at the Delta Plex. What a trash can! But the energy inside was electric. Kick out the Jams motherfucker! '06. The ticket mix up. New people won the first few rows of seats and the crowd was insane. Got the "experiment" with Hard to Imagine, Off He Goes, Parting Ways, Around the Bend, etc. Probably my favorite crowd next to Winnipeg '05.
3. Pearl Jam/Tom Petty 2006. Backstage passes to night one. Saw Petty on his tour bus and watched the band walk past me as they prepared to go onstage. As they opened with Interstellar Overdrive into Corduroy, I was standing next to Mike Campbell side-stage just enjoying the moment. Ed joining Tom for American Girl and The Waiting over the two nights. So cool to see two of my favorites on the same stage two nights in a row!
Honorable mention:
PJ20. Such a cool event other than the rain and the parking. Setlists were insane and seeing Chris come out to play TOTD, was mind-blowing. Unforgettable weekend.
St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center. Seen them 6 times there and impossible to decide which show I liked the best. I'll go with St. Paul II, 2023.
Winnipeg 2005. Possibly the loudest crowd I've been part of. The anticipation of a Neil Young appearance was suspenseful, but alas he didn't show up. Ed told a cool story about Neil being a land baron in California. Got Fuckin' Up and RITFW to close out the show.
All this to say I did not have the kind of experiences most of ya'll had and described in thos thread. But I did buy the albums on cassettes and played them nonstop to the chagrin of my very religious conservative parents.
I took them with me when I ran away from home and hid somewhere else in the country. It was the soundtrack to all of it. And everything that followed.
Lots happened since then & I found myself fleeing to another country. Then in 2017 to this one.
Only in 2024 I was able to see the band live in Fenway. You can imagine the elation, sense of euphoria and sheer happiness I was feeling. Felt like a triumph.
2. Firenze, Italy 21/09/2006
we had to wait 6 very long years for them to return to Europe... it's such a long time. for this year 3 concerts on the program: Bern, Verona and Pistoia (for my birthday). This is my first PJ road trip, all other European tours will follow. And then we do a little visiting with my wife in Firenze... and I come face to face with Mike! Shit ! I don't want to bother him but I just want to say thank you. for everything. In short, all the testimonies agree: he is so nice and cool. When I shook his hand, I was surprised that such small hands could be like... one of the most magical things. we talked a little, I remember him telling me he had a pen with Mont Blanc (my region in France), he also thanked me, this guy is fantastic. he was like me with his wife and his camera.
3.I've already done 4 concerts on Gigaton's European tour, and I'm taking my wife to Vienna and Prague. and then the cancellations happen. I'm depressed. we go to a club / bar in the evening in Prague. And there are lots of PJ t-shirts. Italians, Spanish, Germans... we party all night until dawn dancing to PJ, Nirvana, etc... like crazy. like lifelong friends. This is the Pearl Jam family. it's magnificent.
And..
with this side that I love so much: what will be the next song? thank you for this incredible and unexpected setlist! the top 5 (it changes all the time): Berlin 2014, Krakow 2018, Amsterdam 2 2012, Pistoia 2006 and Barcelona 2 2024
Meeting my dear friends Angela & Rachel in the merch line in St Paul 2023
Finally making onto the rail at Fenway 1 2024 with my friend Maya
2. Universal Amphitheater 2009 Chris Cornell comes out for Hungerstrike.
3. Santa Barbara Bowl 2003 Temple of the Dog Mini Set and John Frusciante joining the band onstage.
4. Being on the rail for Last Exit Golden Gate Park San Francisco 1995 before Eddie got sick
5. I Got Shit Ohana 2021 first show after the long Covid shutdown.
6. Black Missoula 1998
7. Not For You with Tag Gorge 2005
8. Alive San Diego 2006
9. Release San Diego 1995 Night 1
10. Breath LA Sports Arena Night 2 2013
Listening to the Milan 2006 Bootleg - I remember this being the show I listened to in MP3 format on my way to school every morning. That crowd is ridiculous. Hearing the South American crowds in 2005 was incredible…the first time the crowds were really coming through on boot. But that Milan boot just took me to other places in my brain looking out that window. Best Black, best Daughter, great Faithful, and Eddie absolutely crushes the first 3 songs
Prague Krakow Berlin 2018. Berlin 2022
EV, Taormina 1+2 2017.
I wish i was the souvenir you kept your house key on..
2. London 2022: Eddie tossing an intact tambourine to me and Mike taking a picture of me on the rail with his Polaroid camera
3. Athens 2006: My very first show
1. Barcelona 2024
- After 2 cancellations in Berlin (We were there) Day before first show we crossed paths with Mike, I just stopped looking at him and he came to us (Me my Wife and 2 kids with PJ shirts) so we talked about cancellation shows and if we would get shows in Barcelona. He was super nice, asked all of us our names we took some photos and my daughter gave him a bracelet she made with Waiting for Stevie written. After a few hours we crossed paths again and he complemented us again.
- Next day 1st show we were seated in the stands and when Present Tense starts a message appears on screens saying: “Tonight we dedicate this song to Daniel, Susana, Joana, João” all our names
- 2nd show we were in the rail 3rd in line in front of Mike and he recognizes me and my daughter from our encounter and showed her he had the bracelet on his wrist. Just before Waiting for Stevie he points to Eddie and when the songs starts he points at her saying “This one is for you”. Near the end Mike throws a bunch of picks our way, we got 11 of them.
During Black Eddie gives my daughter a Tambourine.
2. Cascais 11/25/1996
- My first PJ show
3. New York MSG 9/11/2022
- Our 1st trip to the US as a family, for us being from Portugal it is a big deal and dream came true.
2. Rupp Arena 2003 (my first PJ show)
3. Ruoff Indy 2024 (first pit experience)
'Cause they can't see beyond today
The wisdom that the old can't give away, hey
Constant recoil
Sometimes life don't leave you alone."
2. Getting to take my teenager to her first concerts in Vegas in 2024 and having her experience PJ and the pj community was so precious. During Setting Sun on night two, I put my arm around her for a second just to soak in that feeling of pure bliss and love. It was magical.
3. 1st show in 1996, Merriwether Post in Maryland. I had front row via 10c and I just remember having an outdoor of body experience that night during Black. I just had such a feeling of gratefulness. I couldn't believe I was seeing my fave band that close. I remember studying Eds face as he sung because of all the emotion and passion. Mesmerizing!
And as a side note, I have a special friendship born from my PJ obsession that I cherish. I am so very grateful for it. It is an ongoing PJ moment.