We had fun but Not the best pearl jam show we've ever been to. wasn't terrible, just wasnt Great. part of this was do to a crowd that was agro or unfamiliar, part greatest hits set that was an hour short, and a lot of thick mud everywhere. also, this festival allows chairs which people build walls with, making it impossible to move anywhere out of the pit. chair people, you suck. Once 3/4 of the set was over the crowd thinned out leaving the rockers and trippers to howl at the moon.
Highlights were Not For You, Got Some, Mountain song with Perry
A note for you parents: please leave the kids at home.
One muscle bound steroid meathead left his 3 little children in a muddy pit while he selfishly got drunk and then came back an hour later to yell at everyone around him about his frightened kids. unbelievable. seriously, not a place for kids with all the moshing and cursing.
Them Crooked Vultures was highlight of entire festival- stole the show...most of the crowd didnt understand it and left early for KOL- their loss. Dan Aurbach after-party at Antones was sick too.
Have to say it was an amazing weekend. Got to see the simulcast of the taping of ACL and go to ACL Fest and see them with 55,000 of my closest friends IN THE MUD!!!!!! The good news was that it didn't rain at all on Sunday... the bad news, it rained the day before which left the park like a sea of mud.
1. This has to be the best reception I've ever seen by the general populace of ACL for the headliners ever. Haven't read a single bad review from publications or regular people.
2. I agree that this was one of those shows that looks boring on paper to us (other than the guest spots) but was amazing up close. Watching my buddy who kinda dropped out of PJ in the mid-90s with everyone else, but knows Vs front to back like any other Jammer, light up during "Go" was awesome. I was about 15 rows back Stage Stone right next to the combo "Come and Get It" and Norway flag, mixture of newbies and hardcores and the crowd was ecstatic the entire time.
3. Mountain Song!!!!!!!!!! What a surprise. Everyone sang along like it was a PJ original.
4. If Stone's hair length has anything to do with his resurgence in animation during shows, keep the hair Stone!
5. To whomever was surprised at how many people left, seeing as I have been to every ACL Fest since the first one, I have to say that is by far the least amount of people I've seen leave early. Walking out afterwards took way way way longer than it's ever taken. While a few thousand leaving early may seem like a lot, it usually anywhere from 25-50% of the crowd during other years (Dylan, I'm looking in your direction).
6. Last but not least, I would like to apologize to whomever recognized me at Shady Grove after the show. I was just about dead at that point from standing up and drinking all weekend, and was very confused at someone I'd never met yelling my name, forgetting I left a description of myself on the board. Nice to meet ya, though, whoever you are! Wish I had my faculties so I could have chatted more.
With all the factors (I was actually closer than I've ever been with my fanclub tix even though I'm a 18x,xxx; finally getting to see them in my hometown, getting to experience my favorite band with 60,000 others, etc) this was probably my favorite show, 2 hr greatest hits setlist be damned. However, bring on the TX tour guys!
It was a great show, my first big time festival show. ACL has a cool vibe. PJ still has amazing energy and Ed seemed to be in a great mood. The sound was great. I thought the festival was well managed although I couldn't believe there was no security pat down and I didn't see any bag checks. I didn't much mind the mud or humidity. However, I thought the crowd was weak. I was about level with the sound board but farther right. In my section most everyone was a statue, or too busy smoking weed, or too busy trying to screw their girlfriend or too busy trying to stay conscious while their boyfriend was trying to screw them. There were only a couple of time where the crowd really got into it on my side. I guess it's my fault for not getting closer earlier. All in all the boys still have it and I can't wait to see them in an arena where I have my own seat to stand in front of.
Yes the show wasn't the best, it was VERY GOOD though for a festival show, I for one could care less what people around me are doing at any show as long as the music is good. I agree that I can't wait to see them in an arena also, it's more comfortable, but I've been to ACL every year, I know what to expect at a festival and one thing I expect is at the end of a 3 day festival when it has been, muggy, rainy and you've seen TONS of bands play and you're just trying to make to the end of the last band, then yes some of the crowd around you may be "weak" as you put it. But again, I don't go to concerts to look at or judge the crowd, I go for the music, and I was MORE than happy with what ACL brought to the table this year!
To whomever was surprised at how many people left, seeing as I have been to every ACL Fest since the first one, I have to say that is by far the least amount of people I've seen leave early. Walking out afterwards took way way way longer than it's ever taken. While a few thousand leaving early may seem like a lot, it usually anywhere from 25-50% of the crowd during other years (Dylan, I'm looking in your direction).
+1000
This was my third ACL and 2 years ago many people left before Dylan even took the stage. But once he started playing there was a river of people flowing out of the park for his entire set. It was better last year for the Foos but I was very impressed at how few people left while PJ were playing compared to what I've seen in years past. Sure, not what you'd see at a PJ show but a small group for ACL, especially from people who'd spent up to 3 days under not very comfortable conditions.
To whomever was surprised at how many people left, seeing as I have been to every ACL Fest since the first one, I have to say that is by far the least amount of people I've seen leave early. Walking out afterwards took way way way longer than it's ever taken. While a few thousand leaving early may seem like a lot, it usually anywhere from 25-50% of the crowd during other years (Dylan, I'm looking in your direction).
+1000
This was my third ACL and 2 years ago many people left before Dylan even took the stage. But once he started playing there was a river of people flowing out of the park for his entire set. It was better last year for the Foos but I was very impressed at how few people left while PJ were playing compared to what I've seen in years past. Sure, not what you'd see at a PJ show but a small group for ACL, especially from people who'd spent up to 3 days under not very comfortable conditions.
my thoughts exactly. i thought it was really cool to see that many people stuck around compared to the last 2 years.
I know they will never read this but I must say thanks to the two girls from San Antonio who were next to me and gave me her 24 oz. Bud Light koozie....even though she was a SPurs fan and I am aa die-hard Lakers fan. I have never seen a koozie that big and she can rest comfortably that I will now only drink 24 oz. size Bud Lights. Haha!!
Austin, TX - 9/16/95 ~ Charleston, SC - 10/5/96 ~ Dallas, TX - 7/5/98 ~ San Antonio, TX - 4/5/03 ~ Denver, CO - 7/2/06 ~ EV - LA #2 - 4/13/08 ~ Austin, TX - 10/4/09 ~ Los Angeles, CA #1 - 11/23/13 ~ Los Angeles, CA #2 - 11/24/13 ~ Seattle, WA - 12/6/13 ~ NYC #1 - 5/1/16 ~ Boston, MA #1 - 8/5/16 ~ Boston, MA #2 - 8/7/16 ~ Boston, MA #1 - 9/2/18 ~ Boston, MA #2 - 9/4/18 ~ Louisville, KY - 9/17/22 ~ Ft. Worth, TX #1 - 9/13/23 ~ Ft. Worth, TX #2 - 9/15/23 ~ Austin, Texas #1 - 9/18/23 ~ Austin, Texas #2 - 9/19/23 ~ NYC #2 - 9/4/24 ~ Boston, MA #1 - 9/15/24 ~ Boston, MA #2 - 9/17/24 ~ Atlanta, GA #2 - 5/1/25
ACL was quite an interesting weekend for me and those who came with me. We got to the grounds at 3pm on Sunday and immediately headed towards the main stage. The Toadies drew a decent crowd but it was very obvious that most of the people there that early in the day were Pearl Jam fans in one way or another.
After enduring five hours in the steamed odors of Zilker Park, PJ finally made it out on stage. What ensued next was the fastest 2 hours of my life.
We were stage right, about 5-6 rows back between Jeff and Mike and, My God, was the energy off the charts. I literally did not stand still the entire time (save the encores) and had the best time of my life. The setlist was predictable in many respects (it's a festival, for God's sake) but the energy that the guys brought to the stage was just unbelievable. They were clearly feeding off of the sight of 75,000 people (Ed was visibly taken back a few times) and they gave us an awesome two hours of intense jamming.
This was my second PJ show (sad, because I have been a fan for over ten years now) and I can honestly say that I have never seen a band have more fun as I did seeing PJ at ACL. Thank you so much, Gods of Rock, for bestowing such an awe-inspiring group of musicians. I never wanted to leave.
Had I been following this show online, instead of 50 feet from Mike McCready, I probably would have had the following reaction:
Ho Hum. Greatest Hits setlist. Yawn.
But, as we all know, there's just something different about being there. Even the songs you've heard dozens of times before can sound new and fresh, and make you feel like the first time you heard them.
And sometimes, it's good to go back to your first love, and remember that thing that made us all fall in love with this band so many years ago. It wasn't because we liked "Dirty Frank." It was because we liked "Alive." Greatest hits are hits for a reason, after all.
So, though I would have loved to hear some rarities (or at least Off He Goes, dammit), and though the set was woefully short on Backspacer songs, I can't say I was disappointed.
Sometimes, it's better to have 75,000 people scream "Hello" or pump their fists to the "Alive" outro, then to have 74,500 people stare blankly at "Bee Girl."
All the old songs were just great. And it was nice to be reintroduced to them again. Loved "Not For You." Loved "Hail, Hail." Loved, loved, loved "Present Tense," which is turning into a greatest hit over the last few tours.
It had been 14 years since Pearl Jam last rocked Austin -- too long, Ed noted ("What the fuck were we thinking?") I couldn't help but approach the show with a little bit of nostalgia, to step back and pretend I was seeing this band for the first time. It was just cool to see Stone and Jeff, practically nose-to-nose, jamming out on Alive -- a song they'd been playing together since before it was even called "Alive."
Speaking of Stoney ... what has gotten into that guy? It started last year at the Rock Honors ... he actually started to move around while playing. I don't know if it's the longish hairdo, but that dude fuckin' rocks out now. Head banging, hair flying everywhere. Just great.
It was great to see the band having so much fun. It was great to see the crowd having so much fun. It was great too see Pearl Jam blow the metaphorical roof off of ACL, after three days of other bands had given it a go. And, for one night, it was awesome to see 75,000 people love this band as much as I do. That feeling was worth the "greatest hits" setlist.
I can hear No Way some other time.
Great review. You should write for Austin 360. They could use the help.
I haven't put up a fanview yet and everyone has already said everything that I would have except that I would say that after spending all 3 days in the park and seeing a lot of good bands play...Pearl Jam completely destroyed every band that had played before them. Seriously, their show made the rest look like garage bands. Fucking epic show and it will go down as one of the highlights of my life hands down.
“May you live to be 100 and may the last voice you hear be mine.” - Frank Sinatra
I covered the festival extensively for Antiquiet, but the Pearl Jam set warranted its own piece, for sure. Got some really great shots, too, for whoever's down for some hot PJ voyeur action:
I don't care if it was a "greatest hits" set. It didn't feel that way live. I finally got to see my favorite band live, 9 years in the making from when they came to Lubbock in 2000 (30 miles from where I used to live) and didn't get to see them, due to my youth and parents being parents, ha. It was almost a religious experience. I finally saw my heroes do their thing and it was more than I ever imagined. What was already an outstanding weekend of music was capped off by the best show of my life. I called Ben coming out at sometime during the set, but never dreamed of Perry Farrell making an appearance. Everything about the show was amazing: intro music, backdrops, Ed banter, Iraqi disabled vets in attendance, Ed signing along w/ the lady signing for the deaf audience and the lady and Ed doing the middle finger during the appropriate part of Given to Fly, Ed's UT stool , Ed getting down and dirty in the mud, every song, every solo, the light show, all the emotion from the band members and all the fans pumping their fists to the songs! Incredible, incredible experience!
I'll add one amendment to the setlist, unless someone has already mentioned, but there was definitely two encores for the show. First one ended after Alive, and then Perry came on for Mountain Song at the beginning of the second. There was a backdrop change and everything. Just didn't want those viewing in the forum to think PJ short changed us or anything. Yeah, it was a shorter second encore by comparison of other shows, I guess ACL's time constraints were pretty firm, but I don't care. It's a show I'll never forget
What a crazy weekend!
Flew from NYC to Texas to see one of my favorite bands. It was so cool to see Eddie on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday at KOL's set for their last song, SNSL, Eddie joined them on vocals and tamborines. It was nuts seeing him go crazy. Then Saturday we got lucky to see them at the Austin City Limit Simulcast. Seeing some of their new songs were awesome. Seeing Eddie sign postetic legs and giving the Veterans guitar pics was very emotional to see. He def cares for our troops. Eddie was funny with the audience even with Mike...When he was asking Mike about tight pants. Mike's face was like huh?saying why is Ed asking me...
Hope PBS shows it November 21 so you guys can understand what I am talking about.
And then comes Sunday at the festival...We got there before they opened up the doors. We claimed our spot by the center rail on Stones side. With the heat, and the mud this show was def worth all that.
PJ def showed why they are awesome live. They kicked ass! Eddie made a mistake on one of the new songs with the lyrics...but it was all good.
Jeff was on FIRE!!! It was so hot when he came back for the encore he was wearing a bandana.lol
Mike's shirt stayed on upto the third song(I think)
Stone was dancing his duck dance and his long hair was bouncing around. He was having so much fun.
Eddie just stayed with his sweaty shirt which was sticking to his skin.
My highlights: Hearing the new songs live.
see Perry sing The Mountain Song with PJ. Too bad Eddie's mic wasn't working properly during this song. I couldn't hear what he was singing. But the band played the song and they didn't even sound like PJ but more like Janes' addiction. Perry has so much energy on that stage it was a blast seeing them all get into it.
As Eddie said at the beginning of the show that he was going to get muddy...Well he sure did at the end.
This show should come out on bootleg and video. It was Classic!
Wish I didn't forget my battery at the hotel, brought the camera without it.:(
I would have def. taken good pictures of Eddie running & sliding in the mud.
This show was fantastic. I was about 30 back in front of Stone. Waited in the same spot for over 4 hours, it was packed up there. I was in the second row for the last 3 times I saw Pearl Jam, but this may have been better?! I was in pain after the long weekend, but my buddy kept me going and wouldn't let me leave. Thanks Rich! Loved Red Mosquito and Present Tense. Before Perry came on, Eddie said he would "give him the keys to the band and let him drive it as fast as he could" - or something like that. And he took it for a wild spin. I didn't think I would be blown away by PJ at this festival, but I was.
i got the impression he was kidding about the stool
me too. I'm a massive UT fan and would think I would have noticed that. I even mentioned to my wife at the simulcast that it was cool he was using a different stool for the night.
This show, another show, a show here and a show there.
Comments
Highlights were Not For You, Got Some, Mountain song with Perry
A note for you parents: please leave the kids at home.
One muscle bound steroid meathead left his 3 little children in a muddy pit while he selfishly got drunk and then came back an hour later to yell at everyone around him about his frightened kids. unbelievable. seriously, not a place for kids with all the moshing and cursing.
Them Crooked Vultures was highlight of entire festival- stole the show...most of the crowd didnt understand it and left early for KOL- their loss. Dan Aurbach after-party at Antones was sick too.
http://www.youtube.com/user/mashfest
Elderly Woman
Daughter
Got Some
Right around where I was Mike's side about 7-10 rows deep.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS3lg7Ls ... r_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtIO_PHn ... r_embedded
KoL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taKkz--z ... r_embedded
(KOL was wasted i heard..and sucked)
If you want to hear the whole review and trip report. Listen to my next podcast. www.giventocast.blogspot.com
You can check pictures at my blog as well.
1. This has to be the best reception I've ever seen by the general populace of ACL for the headliners ever. Haven't read a single bad review from publications or regular people.
2. I agree that this was one of those shows that looks boring on paper to us (other than the guest spots) but was amazing up close. Watching my buddy who kinda dropped out of PJ in the mid-90s with everyone else, but knows Vs front to back like any other Jammer, light up during "Go" was awesome. I was about 15 rows back Stage Stone right next to the combo "Come and Get It" and Norway flag, mixture of newbies and hardcores and the crowd was ecstatic the entire time.
3. Mountain Song!!!!!!!!!! What a surprise. Everyone sang along like it was a PJ original.
4. If Stone's hair length has anything to do with his resurgence in animation during shows, keep the hair Stone!
5. To whomever was surprised at how many people left, seeing as I have been to every ACL Fest since the first one, I have to say that is by far the least amount of people I've seen leave early. Walking out afterwards took way way way longer than it's ever taken. While a few thousand leaving early may seem like a lot, it usually anywhere from 25-50% of the crowd during other years (Dylan, I'm looking in your direction).
6. Last but not least, I would like to apologize to whomever recognized me at Shady Grove after the show. I was just about dead at that point from standing up and drinking all weekend, and was very confused at someone I'd never met yelling my name, forgetting I left a description of myself on the board. Nice to meet ya, though, whoever you are! Wish I had my faculties so I could have chatted more.
With all the factors (I was actually closer than I've ever been with my fanclub tix even though I'm a 18x,xxx; finally getting to see them in my hometown, getting to experience my favorite band with 60,000 others, etc) this was probably my favorite show, 2 hr greatest hits setlist be damned. However, bring on the TX tour guys!
Yes the show wasn't the best, it was VERY GOOD though for a festival show, I for one could care less what people around me are doing at any show as long as the music is good. I agree that I can't wait to see them in an arena also, it's more comfortable, but I've been to ACL every year, I know what to expect at a festival and one thing I expect is at the end of a 3 day festival when it has been, muggy, rainy and you've seen TONS of bands play and you're just trying to make to the end of the last band, then yes some of the crowd around you may be "weak" as you put it. But again, I don't go to concerts to look at or judge the crowd, I go for the music, and I was MORE than happy with what ACL brought to the table this year!
4/5,6/9/2003, 9/1/05, 12/7/2005, 7/15,16,18/2006, 8/5/2007
6/24,25/08,6/27/08,6/28/08,6/30/08
9/21,22/2009, 10/4/2009
5/6,7,9/2010, 9/3/2011 9/4/2011, 11/15/2013,
11/16/2013, 12/8/2013, 10/5/2014, 10/12/2014,
4/23, 5/10, 5/12, 8/20, 8/22 2016,
8/8, 8/10, 8/18, 8/20 2018, 5/12, 5/13, 9/20 2022
This was my third ACL and 2 years ago many people left before Dylan even took the stage. But once he started playing there was a river of people flowing out of the park for his entire set. It was better last year for the Foos but I was very impressed at how few people left while PJ were playing compared to what I've seen in years past. Sure, not what you'd see at a PJ show but a small group for ACL, especially from people who'd spent up to 3 days under not very comfortable conditions.
my thoughts exactly. i thought it was really cool to see that many people stuck around compared to the last 2 years.
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com
this is just a short clip and you cant see the band perfect. i just really like it cause you can see the crowd really get into it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrnWArcyn8
nice!! it was cool to stand a bit further back and watch the crowd....what a fucking awesome night!!!!
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com
After enduring five hours in the steamed odors of Zilker Park, PJ finally made it out on stage. What ensued next was the fastest 2 hours of my life.
We were stage right, about 5-6 rows back between Jeff and Mike and, My God, was the energy off the charts. I literally did not stand still the entire time (save the encores) and had the best time of my life. The setlist was predictable in many respects (it's a festival, for God's sake) but the energy that the guys brought to the stage was just unbelievable. They were clearly feeding off of the sight of 75,000 people (Ed was visibly taken back a few times) and they gave us an awesome two hours of intense jamming.
This was my second PJ show (sad, because I have been a fan for over ten years now) and I can honestly say that I have never seen a band have more fun as I did seeing PJ at ACL. Thank you so much, Gods of Rock, for bestowing such an awe-inspiring group of musicians. I never wanted to leave.
Great review. You should write for Austin 360. They could use the help.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!
i come by here after missing a few days and THAT happened....jumpin to youtube now
2006: Camden 1&2, East Ruth 1&2
2008: BONNAROO, MSG1, MSG2, Hartford
2009: Philly 1, 2, 4
2010: Hartford, MSG1, MSG2
2012: Made in America
2013: BK1, BK2, Hartford
2015: Global Citizens
2016: MSG 2 (ISO MSG1)
EV Solo: NJPAC 2008; Tower Theatre, PA 2009; Hartford 2011
Welcome Back. It was epic !! They destroyed it !!
Raleigh(8-31-98)
Greensboro(8-6-00)
Raleigh(4-15-03), Las Vegas(6-6-03)
Boston(9-28-04),Toledo(10-2-04),Asheville(10-6-04)
Pittsburgh(6-24-06)
Columbia (6-16-08)
Austin (10-4-09), Philadelphia (10-28-09, 10-30-09, 10-31-09)
http://www.antiquiet.com/shows/2009/10/pearl-jam-austin-city-limits/
You were wearing the Astros cap? I saw you. Dang, I was standing next to Urs but had no idea she was talking to you! Wish I could have said hello.
I'll add one amendment to the setlist, unless someone has already mentioned, but there was definitely two encores for the show. First one ended after Alive, and then Perry came on for Mountain Song at the beginning of the second. There was a backdrop change and everything. Just didn't want those viewing in the forum to think PJ short changed us or anything. Yeah, it was a shorter second encore by comparison of other shows, I guess ACL's time constraints were pretty firm, but I don't care. It's a show I'll never forget
Flew from NYC to Texas to see one of my favorite bands. It was so cool to see Eddie on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday at KOL's set for their last song, SNSL, Eddie joined them on vocals and tamborines. It was nuts seeing him go crazy. Then Saturday we got lucky to see them at the Austin City Limit Simulcast. Seeing some of their new songs were awesome. Seeing Eddie sign postetic legs and giving the Veterans guitar pics was very emotional to see. He def cares for our troops. Eddie was funny with the audience even with Mike...When he was asking Mike about tight pants. Mike's face was like huh?saying why is Ed asking me...
Hope PBS shows it November 21 so you guys can understand what I am talking about.
And then comes Sunday at the festival...We got there before they opened up the doors. We claimed our spot by the center rail on Stones side. With the heat, and the mud this show was def worth all that.
PJ def showed why they are awesome live. They kicked ass! Eddie made a mistake on one of the new songs with the lyrics...but it was all good.
Jeff was on FIRE!!! It was so hot when he came back for the encore he was wearing a bandana.lol
Mike's shirt stayed on upto the third song(I think)
Stone was dancing his duck dance and his long hair was bouncing around. He was having so much fun.
Eddie just stayed with his sweaty shirt which was sticking to his skin.
My highlights: Hearing the new songs live.
see Perry sing The Mountain Song with PJ. Too bad Eddie's mic wasn't working properly during this song. I couldn't hear what he was singing. But the band played the song and they didn't even sound like PJ but more like Janes' addiction. Perry has so much energy on that stage it was a blast seeing them all get into it.
As Eddie said at the beginning of the show that he was going to get muddy...Well he sure did at the end.
This show should come out on bootleg and video. It was Classic!
Wish I didn't forget my battery at the hotel, brought the camera without it.:(
I would have def. taken good pictures of Eddie running & sliding in the mud.
If anyone has picture please share them.
damn!! yup---that was me, man! were you wearing the UT hat?
www.cluthelee.com
www.cluthe.com
me too. I'm a massive UT fan and would think I would have noticed that. I even mentioned to my wife at the simulcast that it was cool he was using a different stool for the night.