*** London, UK, SBE Fanviews Here 8/11/09 ***

First and last time I ever get called a lady I agree with everything else you said though It's like a "Who's the biggest Pearl Jam Fan" competition sometimes; you can't enjoy the show unless they play songs only ever released to the ten club, on vinyl only in Japan. Was great to hear Brother, but the crowd didn't seem as fired up for that as they did for Alive/Even Flow et al.[/quote]

quite right!!!

First post on here (i tend to sit back and watch the 'who's the biggest/most diehard fan' contests start between the people with 4,967,245,597,564,329,465.001 posts each...)

"It's like a "Who's the biggest Pearl Jam Fan" competition sometimes; you can't enjoy the show unless they play songs only ever released to the ten club, on vinyl only in Japan."

Couldn't agree more with the above...

Anyhow, i'd have to agree with the majority in this thread. It was a truly special night, and an absolute privilege to have been there watching the best band in the world, in a venue they could have sold out 15 times over....

Personal highlights:
The End - absolutely awesome, can only hope that the album version retains the same haunting beauty....
Present Tense - incredible....

Evening Standard's picture gallery of the Shepherds Bush gig

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard- ... d=23371133

Surprised no one has mentioned Why Go - I have never heard a song sang so loud and well by a crowd. Ed a couple of times just stopped singing

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40061022@N08/

The few pics I got that even remotely came out!

i shit and i stink wrote:

Betterman into Alive (with no break inbetween) was ten intense minutes and my favourite part of the show. I know that they are not 'rarities' but the whole place was jumping and it was nice to turn around and see hundreds of people hanging over those ornate old balconies in that incredible venue, everyone enjoying themselves entirely at the same moment. Happy days

And that is exactly why rarity filled setlists aren't always the best option! Bring on the next show already!

i shit and i stink wrote:

pdalowsky wrote:

i gotta say the jam at the end of present tense was insane.

Jeff and Mike were flying at it.

I think I crossed over with that song last night, I loved it before but I think I actually 'get it' now. It was just such a beautiful sing along with the crowd and then it took off and went to another level .....

Betterman into Alive (with no break inbetween) was ten intense minutes and my favourite part of the show. I know that they are not 'rarities' but the whole place was jumping and it was nice to turn around and see hundreds of people hanging over those ornate old balconies in that incredible venue, everyone enjoying themselves entirely at the same moment. Happy days

By the way, Paul, was it worth all the effort in the end?
Sounds like you had a near perfect evening good work

yes my friend, it was a stunning evening, one I will not easily forget.

you can keep the rarities for me, thats why they are rare, they are not usually that good. Alive (although not something I'm that bothered about hearing after seeing it so many times before and SOLAT) was incredible.

Great gig. Right up the front mike side.
I enjoyed the setlist and I finally got to meet EV, Stone and Boom.

Got Stone & Boom to sign my poster. Shook hands with Ed.
Good times!!

Great to meet up with the Pearl Jam crew from here. Looking forward to meeting everyone again on Mon!

In the space of 10mins I had Jeff throw his pick right at me and then Mike so happy days.
Al only got 5 Mike Picks :shock:

He's at home making a necklace now!

Finally I am home from work and can lay out my thoughts about last night!!

What a show!! Amazing!

Venue was awesome, managed to get front row infront of Mike near Irish Al, Randall and some other guys from on here. Went with my mate Tim who spent the majority of the time sat on the floor pissing people off before the guys came on only to find himself in the middle of 'the pit' when they started, so much for the bad back mate!

Cant believe the intensity of the gig it just went like a rollercoaster from start to finish! Mike was so interactive, got loads of points and smiles and awesome photos! Best of all a pic in the palm of the hand.

Ed was in glorious form! Loved the banter with the crowd and the concern when during Alive half a dozen fans were pulled over the barrier

Loved the new stuff, the fixer was awesome, the end even more so. Brother was ace and I rocked my arse off to GTF. Ronnie Wood, Simon Townshend; both amazing surprises, as were the two songs.

Thats 1/3 of the PJ experience complete, bring on Manchester!

PS - hope the American Girl who moved in front of me is now feeling better and thanks to the security dude at the front for sorting me out with much needed H20!!

Wow, I'm shocked by the mixed reactions here. I'd say it was the best PJ show I've seen since I saw them at the ULU back in 1992(which is my favourite ever), it was that good.
My one gripe is that I saw Yusuf Islam aka Cat Stevens there with his son (Eddie even dedicated a song to him), it would have been amazing if he had come out and sung Trouble with him, but it's a small, tiny disappointment to an otherwise perfect show.
Personally, I thought the band was fully of energy and passion, especially Ed. And as for the buzz? Well, I turned up hours early and was speaking to lots of people in the queue and there was huge excitement and anticipation. I just don't get that comment there was no buzz, everyone around me was so happy and excited. And inside, I was up at the front and the sound was amazing where I was and the crowd were literally jumping at times and often singing along, it was completely joyous.