Seeing Pearl Jam in Europe vs US
davidtrios
Posts: 9,732
I was just wondering what the differences are in seeing a show in the U.S versus Europe. Does pearl jam play more rarities in the US? Do you think the crowds are better un Europe because they dont play there as often?
Do the crowds have more energy Europe? Do you prefer to see them in Europe vs the US?
Do the crowds have more energy Europe? Do you prefer to see them in Europe vs the US?
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I've only seen PJ at PJ20 in the USA, but did do 5 Canadian shows.
I've seen 12 shows in Europe.
They are different experiences, I think the USA/Canadian shows get more varied and longer set lists. I think the energy, experience and companionship of European shows sets them apart.
The band seem to love playing to GA crowds, they feed off the energy. Even if you are seated at a European show the levels in the room just seem better. Being able to watch the floor crowd bouncing is awesome. I completely enjoyed the Canadian shows I went to, but the experience, for me, was slightly dulled by the uniformity of seats. I know there seems to be some level of reservation/nervousness about GA in the USA but we don't get the problems people seem to imagine they would. I know there is the merch issue for some/getting beer issue etc... that's just not an issue and plenty of people manage it.
I guess the whole gig experience is different over here, it would be rare to find any pop/rock/indie show with a seated floor, we just don't do it.
I love being with loads of friends, bumping into people randomly, just enjoying myself, so that's probably why I am biased.
2012 - Manchester i & ii, Berlin i & ii, Stockholm. 2014 - Amsterdam i & ii, Trieste, Vienna, Berlin, Leeds, Milton Keynes.
2016 - Boston Fenway i & ii, 2018 - Amsterdam i & ii, Pinkpop, London i & ii, Padova, Krakow, Barcelona, Seattle i & ii.
My opinion would be completely skewed as I have seem PJ in Europe 6 times and in the US only twice.
The US shows were:
Montana - standing floor but a concert for Jon Tester.
San Francisco - The Whoracle private concert.
~Edwin Powell Hubble
Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
its the only thing matters for me at a pj show,thats why i prefer Europe shows
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
That said, I stood for 7 out of the 9 shows in Europe last summer, with Berlin 2 and Oslo being up there as the best I've ever seen.
All depends on what you like at a show.
But if you get a lottery first row in US that is the best experience....only the first row.
LIFE WASTED, BLOOD on the PORCH, LAST KISS is a WISHLIST DEEP DOWN NOTHING AS IT SEEMS WHY GO COME BACK ALIVE SPIN THE BLACK CIRCLE and SMILE.
6/19/95 Red Rocks
9/11/98 MSG
11/19/12 EV solo Tulsa
7/19/13 Wrigley 10/19/13 Brooklyn 2 10/21/13 Philly 1 10/22/13 Philly 2 10/25/13 Hartford
10/08/14 Tulsa 10/09/14 Lincoln
9/26/15 NYC Global Citizen
4/16/16 Greenville 4/28/16 Philly 1 4/29/16 Philly 2 5/1/16 MSG 1 5/2/16 MSG 2 8/7/16 Fenway 2 8/20/16 Wrigley 1
4/7/17 RRHOF New York City
9/2/18 Fenway 1 9/4/2018 Fenway 2
9/18/21 Asbury Park
2/4/22 EV Earthlings NYC 2/6/22 EV Earthlings Newark 9/11/22 MSG 9/14/22 Camden
9/3/24 MSG 1 9/4/24 MSG 2 9/7/24 Philly 1 9/9/24 Philly 2
I mean, just watch this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2E3uZ-Qe4M
You´ll never get that in a seated show
But like someone mentioned before.....in the US you get the rare songs, the longer setlists, the breaking curfew.
I hope PJ doesn´t pull a ¨greatest hits¨ setlist in South America in April
i wondered about this as well... anyone?
but most arenas at USA are seated at the arena
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
They did the fundraiser last autumn as a GA floor, and obviously are at festivals. But from what I can tell these are the exception and most shows in the USA are all seated, with it seems, no intention to change that.
2012 - Manchester i & ii, Berlin i & ii, Stockholm. 2014 - Amsterdam i & ii, Trieste, Vienna, Berlin, Leeds, Milton Keynes.
2016 - Boston Fenway i & ii, 2018 - Amsterdam i & ii, Pinkpop, London i & ii, Padova, Krakow, Barcelona, Seattle i & ii.
wow, that must really make a big difference!
so, you do stand up anyway, right? -i guess the chairs will make jumping and dancing a bit more difficult, but don't think i would be able not to!
...this is very interesting...
Floor seats are quite close together and therefore it does restrict movement in my opinion, but then I am used to GA. Those who are used to seating seem as passionate about it's benefits as I am about GA.
The view can also be restricted unless you are near or at the very front, if you get a really tall person in front of you, you can't move to get a better look. If you are lucky enough to win front row, then win win I guess, but for the majority this isn't the case.
2012 - Manchester i & ii, Berlin i & ii, Stockholm. 2014 - Amsterdam i & ii, Trieste, Vienna, Berlin, Leeds, Milton Keynes.
2016 - Boston Fenway i & ii, 2018 - Amsterdam i & ii, Pinkpop, London i & ii, Padova, Krakow, Barcelona, Seattle i & ii.
As for what's better, I'd say the rarities and longer sets make the actual performances from the band much more enjoyable, but a dead crowd such as that in Ottawa in 2011 can kill enjoyment of what would otherwise be a pretty good show. Are GA crowds and great performances/shows linked, not at all, the 2 night stand in Toronto proves that for starters.
Personally, I pay my money to see the band on stage, to enjoy what they are there to do. Ideally that would be GA, purely because it's what I'm used to, but I don't think it matters a great deal. If you don't get 10c tickets you can usually get more than 2 of you "seated" together so you can enjoy the show with your friends. This is of course less likely in markets like New York. I'd rather see the band play a long and varied set in a seated venue, than plough through a 2 hour greatest hits set in a GA crowd. I'm lucky though, I've done both.
I agree that this seems to be PJ's choice -- I've seen plenty of GA shows in venues where PJ has played seated (Forum in LA comes to mind -- PJ 2006 was seated, saw Muse there around the same time, GA).
I have to disagree about the 10c membership though. Aren't there plenty of European 10c members who want that same perk?
It just seems to me to be their choice to mostly do seated shows in US. Which seems a little strange, since the event that would sour any band on GA shows took place overseas.
US will get those epic setlists, but the energy has been lacking from the crowd sicne after the riot act tour
europe shows have shit tons of energy. SHIT TONS. (outside of scandanivia, lol)
i was telling friends at berlin this past summer that if they played a setlists like philly 3 or 4 there, people would die.
europe is not a bunch of 35plus year olds with their arms folded.
Nope, at least not that I know of. Europe doesn't really ever get seated floors for rock shows, so if PJ did that, the majority of European fans would be annoyed, as it's simply not what we're used to. I'm yet to go to a seated PJ show (hopefully will attend the London one), but I just don't think a non-GA crowd can produce the same energy.
Even if you don't like to be in the actual pit, you can still have a great show, being with people you like, just having a great time.
As for the setlists ... I would love a US setlist in a GA setting. But here's hope for Chicago
We came kind of close this summer in Europe. It was good that they toured here without product to sell as we got much better setlists than the previous couple of tours. If only our venues didn't have stupidly early curfews...
That being said, my view is skewed. The only 2 shows I've seen in Europe were the 2 Amsterdam shows last summer. Night 1, 2 deep dead center. Freakin awesome. Night 2, seated. Both shows were great for different reasons. Jump to September and I was lucky enough to be on the center rail in Atlanta, about 40 feet from the stage.
To me, having to stand in line and get there early made the GA shows more special. Like I had to earn it. But, I can most definitely say that I prefer a seat. Especially when you have to endure crappy festival bands or an opening act who plays the same set list every night.
Whose idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have an "S" in it?
But it's not like PJ has polled the fans in USA and learned that they want seated shows. There are shitloads of fans in the US who want GA shows, with some 10c members wanting their seating perk. Just as in Europe, there are shitloads of fans who want GA shows....with some 10c members wanting their seating priority.
It makes no sense to me that PJ would play seated shows in the US because "10c members want to keep their perk"... because there of course have to be some of the same fans in Europe.
That argument doesn't jibe for me.
Louder crowd for screaming and chanting in Europe no doubt... the bootlegs consistently confirm that... I think rarities is equal taking out any Festival show obviously... I think the rarities and the length of the show really evolves during the night based on the crowd and the reaction and how the band is feeling.. Obviously the venue curfews come into play here n there...
I think for US shows the Northeast gets the GOLD... their Boston n NYC shows are consistently out of this world Special.. we are extremely lucky... I'll also go out on a limb here and say I believe NYC and Boston Crowds are the BEST PJ crowds in the USA... I do think SOUTH AMERICAN crowds are the LOudest PJ crowds in the world from participation and the chanting and stuff...
God all this talk is making me DROOL for this years tour!
2000 Tour- Saratoga 8/27 Boston 8/29, 8/30
2003 Tour- Albany 4/29 Boston 7/2,7/3,7/11 Philadelphia 7/5,7/6 MSG 7/8,7/9
2004 Tour- Boston 9/28,9/29
2006 Tour- Albany 5/12 Hartford 5/13 Boston 5/24,5/25
2008 Tour- MSG 6/24,6/25 Hartford 6/27 Boston 6/28,6/30 Eddie- Boston 8/1
2009 Tour- Eddie- Albany 6/9 Philly Spectrum- 10/30, 10/31
2010 Tour- Hartford 5/15 MSG 5/20,5/21
2011 Tour- Eddie- Hartford 6/18
2013 Tour- Worcester,MA 10/15,10/16 Hartford 10/25
2016 Tour- MSG 5/1,5/2 FENWAY 8/5,8/7
2018 Tour- Fenway 9/2, 9/4 (My 40th show)!
I don't know how it is for other bands in the US, but Europe doesn't get seated floor shows at all (at least not for rock concerts), so PJ doing seated shows would be really weird for everyone. Sometimes there are 10c seats available as well (I remember Manchester had those), but there doesn't seem to be too much demand.