**Gorge Fanviews here**

I came from Phoenix, AZ to see the show. I flew in the night before and stayed at the Ramada by the airport. When I left the hotel in the morning there was a group of about 5 or 6 people, some with PJ shirts on. For some reason seeing them just started the day and the drive off right! The excitement of the day and seeing other people who had obviously traveled to see this great band we love, Pearl Jam...I was on my way!!!

The drive was a little longer than I expected and I was surprised to see the terrain change from the pine trees and mountains to sort of a desert terrain (not unlike some parts of Arizona). I stayed out at Moses Lake, I knew I wouldn't be up for a long drive after the show.

I arrived at the Gorge and walked...waiting to see this beautiful venue that I had seen pictures of on the internet. It's like it appears out of nowhere. I stopped first and bought my poster, t-shirt and hoodie. I grabbed (bought) a bottle of water and beer and headed toward the seats. I stopped to take a few pictures first...WOW...the view...the weather was beautiful, it was GREAT!

I found my seat (I had gone alone to the show) I was happy to see I was sitting on the aisle. I was 13th row on Stone's side. (The 3 other main PJ shows I have gone to have all been on Stone's sides also.) I was sitting next to a guy who was there from Connecticut by way of Chicago and a guy next to him from Colorado Springs. They were both nice and we guarded our posters, tied to a chair in a new PJ t-shirt.

The show started off acoustic which was great for me because I don't think I have seen PJ do an acoustic set live. "I Believe in Miracles" was a very pleasant and unexpected start to the show. I thought that with the things going on with the hurricane and other things in the world, it was a nice message/start to the show. The acoustic set sounded great! The sun setting behind the stage...the sky...so beautiful!!! They took a quick break, so I thought I could sneak off ot the bathroom and get a beer. They had stopped selling beer...by the time I was getting back in, PJ was back and playing "Save You". This song has special meaning to me...I rushed back to my seat.

The energy in the crowd was contagious! I was singing as many words as I could remember, jumping, dancing...taking it all in. I took some pictures, but didn't want to over do it and miss too much or take away from the show. At one point Ed came over to our side of the stage, I took 5 pictures, 3 were blurry and one was of the guy's arm in front of me...but 1 turned out pretty good!! )

It was great to hear songs that are not usually played live, "Hard to Imagine", "Undone"....I also loved hearing "Lowlight". Ed forgot some of the words...we taunted Tom Petty to come down, the energy was great, the guys were rocking....over 3 hours of just PJ! I loved it!!!!!!!!

THANKS!!! Can't wait for my next show...whenever that will be!!!!!!
Link to my pictures!
http://pics.livejournal.com/chrisp703/gallery/0000b89s

BTW, I love seeing everyone's pictures and the different view points and moments captured, thanks for sharing!!!!

CrazyMary17 wrote:

Wow! Awesome pics! In the last pic with the set list... I don't remember Bee Girl being played??? Maybe I'm losing it.

It wasn't played - no worries! They had some songs on the Vancouver setlist they didnt play as well - it happens

By the way, I think we were sitting near one another based on what you said. I was Sec B Row 22 in the middle.

I sat directly in front of these guys and they were so sweet. I am infinitely sorry that I am so tall (6'5"). I guess you can take comfort in the fact that Great Danes don't live as long either. All kidding aside, I am glad I had a chance to meet you and Kaddikat and share what was perhaps the best Pearl Jam show in history. The energy. The sound. The view. The people. All incredible and just outside the realm of superlative...

M

MeddleDeal wrote:

<---still amazed by the show :eek:

It was nice to see old friends again, most of them whom I haven't seen since Bridge School 2003...AllNiteThing, Kaddikat (thanks for the ticket Momma ), PJammin', SENROCK! and then meeting some new friends like decides2dream and soundgrunger Thanks for making my night, and to top that OFF, seeing PJ at the Gorge...what a GORGEous ass venue (hehe)! Seeing the beautiful sunset during Lowlight was the highlight of the night. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it.:)

I was 11th row, on Stone's side w/my friend, Kaddikat..OMG! it was SO fuckin' amazing, I still can't get over that. One thing after the other! Opening it up w/I Believe In Miracles acoustic (i swear, that song has followed us since 2003, it is mine and VEDHEAD27's theme song:)) Anyway, that acoustic set was GREAT! And to end it w/Hard To Imagine, I IMMEDIATELY fell to the ground! :eek: Eddie was SO feeling that song and I felt it along w/him, especially during the part, "things were different then, all is different now
i tried to explain, somehow..." I felt like I wanted to cry during that part.

And how could we forget...CROWN OF fuckin' THORNS?! The song that hardly gets played, and they saved it for a special occasion?! HOT DAMN!! Everyone felt the magic right then and there. I was blessed to have heard this song live for the first time @ MSG and to get it a 2nd time, was too overwhelming!

I will do a song-by-song review later on, I am just exhausted still, having driven from Seattle to Vancouver and then from Vancouver and Seattle yesterday, and I flew from Seattle to Oakland and didn't get home til nearly 8pm. I am SO tired that I am about to pass out on a beautiful Sunday.

THANKS PJ!! Thanks to Momma Kaddikat!!

*HUGS*

PJ fans are the GREATEST!!:)

Those pictures are amazing. I didn't recognise Mike with glasses on! At first I though it was Stone, then I was like "why does he have Mike's strat?"

It's been too long!

Flew in from chicago..the view was incredable at the gorge the band sounded amazing and the acoustic set was cool as hell...Then I got FUCKING PISSED.

WTF's up with no beer being sold after dark?? Sorry, but I enjoy having some beers while I watch a band!! After the sun went down you could still buy a beer in the beer garden but you could NOT hear the band!!! Then it wasn't but a few minutes later and they shut the whole thing down. I ad a alcohol commision lady tell me that this band is "KNOWM" for there rough crowds. I just fucking laughed. I asked her if she thought if this was a "rough crowd". She actually said "yes. I think it is" I laughed again.
I don't blame the band for this whats so ever but it's safe to say that this was Bull Shit!!!

And really..TC..thanks for the shit ass fucking seats. Wheelcahair on the side so far over you couldn't see shit. I could see more from a top of the grass for christ sake. Then the fucking seat police guy was just being a fucking prick. You couldn't stand 1 inch outside of the seat. He finally backed off. He said he should quit before I kick his ass. I said he was very wise.


So really if it wasn't for the band of course and the view, the gorge SUCKS!!
I've never had any of these problems at Alpine, St. Louis, Indy, etc.

The show was outstanding other than that. I guess I'll just look forward to the midwest summer tour next year.

SENROCK! wrote:

OH MY GOD!!!! DUDE!!! WHATS UP! REMEMBER ME? WHERES ANDREA!!!!! I WANTED TO FIND HER AFTER THE SHOW TO ASK HOW SHE ENJOYED HER FIRST SHOW EVER!!!!!! PLEASE TELL HER TO SIGN UP HERE AND GET IN TOUCH WITH ME!!!!!! IT WAS CRAZY MEETING U GUYS!!!

Of course I do!!! She was speechless, she didn´t say a word until I asked her about the show. I will tell her to sign up. Did you see they are now coming to South America? Andrea is thinking of going to Argentina, I´m trying to get in touch with someone that will tell me how to hire the band to do a show here in Ecuador *fingers crossed*, and will try to go to at least one the shows down south...
Take care

Hello Hello...I have to say that The Gorge has the most beautiful view I have ever seen...my best friend and I went all the way up there from Miami, Florida and I would have to say...it was worth the sleep deprivation and cramped car rides...Pearl Jam was amazing as usual! As for the Beer situation...Did you see those hills? Makes sense that they would want to confine the drinking..I could barely walk up or down them sober...THANK YOU PEARL JAM FOR ANOTHER AWESOME SHOW!!!!

Mortimer wrote:

One thing I forgot to ask. At the concert when Ed said something like, "Don't know when we will be back and thanks for your support over all these years" It kind of sounded like they might be throwing in the towel. I remember him saying this twice. The first time the way he said it, I felt immediately strange. Did anyone else catch that? I don't think his first statement made it onto the boot.

I went home worrying about it, but maybe he just meant concerts at the Gorge. Maybe I just read too much into it.

i heard that too and had the same sentiment. i don't think he's talking about the band not playing ever again, but he sure made it sound like they weren't going to play the gorge again. did anyone else get that impression? i remember ed saying something like "if we never play here again, we'll be fine with that". it didn't sound like he was pissed or anything, more to the effect "we just played an amazing show and we want to go out with a bang". just speculating...

as for the show, absolutely amazing. i came up from santa barbara and met commy in seattle. we drove over found out we were in row 14 and from 1pm to 7pm we just kept saying "row 14". i can't say enough about how great the show was. i really hope this was not their last show at this amazing venue.

Mortimer wrote:

One thing I forgot to ask. At the concert when Ed said something like, "Don't know when we will be back and thanks for your support over all these years" It kind of sounded like they might be throwing in the towel. I remember him saying this twice. The first time the way he said it, I felt immediately strange. Did anyone else catch that? I don't think his first statement made it onto the boot.

I went home worrying about it, but maybe he just meant concerts at the Gorge. Maybe I just read too much into it.

Yeah, but they've been saying these things for years. It's honest. Because you never really know what's going to happen. Seems like it started in the late 90's. I have heard it many times.

Please don't worry.

WildChildRose wrote:

Probably the best Pearl Jam show I have ever seen. I was front row, right in front of Mike. :-) I think I broke my feet at the show, but it was worth it. You can't imagine how beautiful the Gorge is til you really get there. The bus trip out to the Gorge was awesome as well. Thanks KaddiKat!!

Rose

The view from the 2nd row wasn't so bad either. Mike is one crazy mo-fo to watch on stage!!!