Strategic late start at Wrigley

EddieshometownEddieshometown Evanston, IL Posts: 974
edited August 2013 in The Porch
Conspiracy theory of the day. The band chose to start late since neighbors wouldn't allow the concert to continue if they already played for 90 mins. Starting at 8:15 didn't allow that to happen. Thoughts...
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  • Get_RightGet_Right Posts: 12,440
    Makes sense if true.
    What I want to know is how much the band had to fork over in overtime fees. Id bet it cost them a pretty penny to play that late.
  • ANTIocmedANTIocmed Dopetown, IL Posts: 32
    There was a rumor of 100K per hour past curfew.
    Say hello to the rug's topography..It holds quite a lot of interest with your face down on it
  • Who knows but I for one was really pissed with the late start that was followed by the opening 45 minutes of slow songs before the band left the stage. Yes, the first 7 songs were beautifully played but after the band came on late -- 10 Club and the band for weeks pushed the "going on stage at 7:30 p.m." angle -- and then played slow songs, it just really left me and many others frustrated.

    Needless to say the band ultimately made up for it with the last 2 hrs and 15 minutes of the show . . . but I think that if they had gone on time, there's a really good chance we would have gotten the full setlist, with Speed of Sound, Sleight of Hand, Betterman, Alive, etc.

    What the show ultimately lacked was a string of 3 or 4 megahits and choosing to go with lesser known encore songs as opposed to Alive, Betterman (or Jeremy which was not on the set) was unfortunate.
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  • Who knows but I for one was really pissed with the late start that was followed by the opening 45 minutes of slow songs before the band left the stage. Yes, the first 7 songs were beautifully played but after the band came on late -- 10 Club and the band for weeks pushed the "going on stage at 7:30 p.m." angle -- and then played slow songs, it just really left me and many others frustrated.

    Needless to say the band ultimately made up for it with the last 2 hrs and 15 minutes of the show . . . but I think that if they had gone on time, there's a really good chance we would have gotten the full setlist, with Speed of Sound, Sleight of Hand, Betterman, Alive, etc.

    What the show ultimately lacked was a string of 3 or 4 megahits and choosing to go with lesser known encore songs as opposed to Alive, Betterman (or Jeremy which was not on the set) was unfortunate.

    I don't know man. I thought the songs they played at the start made sense to me and with the lightning in the background along with the Come Back dedication was something special to witness. When the show ended at 2 AM I felt like I saw one of the greatest Pearl Jam shows ever, with all the rarities and the energy of the crowd with the full moon after the rain. It was just perfect.
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  • mookieb10mookieb10 Posts: 930
    Who knows but I for one was really pissed with the late start that was followed by the opening 45 minutes of slow songs before the band left the stage. Yes, the first 7 songs were beautifully played but after the band came on late -- 10 Club and the band for weeks pushed the "going on stage at 7:30 p.m." angle -- and then played slow songs, it just really left me and many others frustrated.

    Needless to say the band ultimately made up for it with the last 2 hrs and 15 minutes of the show . . . but I think that if they had gone on time, there's a really good chance we would have gotten the full setlist, with Speed of Sound, Sleight of Hand, Betterman, Alive, etc.

    What the show ultimately lacked was a string of 3 or 4 megahits and choosing to go with lesser known encore songs as opposed to Alive, Betterman (or Jeremy which was not on the set) was unfortunate.

    I don't know man. I thought the songs they played at the start made sense to me and with the lightning in the background along with the Come Back dedication was something special to witness. When the show ended at 2 AM I felt like I saw one of the greatest Pearl Jam shows ever, with all the rarities and the energy of the crowd with the full moon after the rain. It was just perfect.

    I know this wasnt the original intention of the thread, but i think that the slow opener and sit down encore is here to stay. They have some great slow song as a band, ed solo has some great slow songs. At this point in time, especially with a 26 show tour upcoming, the band needs to practice what they preach and "pace themselves." will they open with go into animal? Yes, sometimes, but i expect them to reign it in at some point in every show.
  • dimitrispearljamdimitrispearljam NINUNINOPRO Posts: 139,136
    EPIC!!!!!!!
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  • [/quote]

    I know this wasnt the original intention of the thread, but i think that the slow opener and sit down encore is here to stay. They have some great slow song as a band, ed solo has some great slow songs. At this point in time, especially with a 26 show tour upcoming, the band needs to practice what they preach and "pace themselves." will they open with go into animal? Yes, sometimes, but i expect them to reign it in at some point in every show.[/quote]

    JESUS I HOPE NOT. :fp:
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  • JB128716JB128716 Posts: 2,064
    If the band never released the planned setlist then no one would have known the songs that were scratched. Even with the shorter set, the set was still longer than any other show I've been too.

    As for the conspiracy theory, I ain't buying it. It is more likely that PJ could leverage their very large donation to the community, the fact that Ernie Banks was in the building, Ed's love for the town, and ohhh who knows what would have happened if 39,999 drunk fans (I was sober) got mad and went to town on that town.

    Plus the setlist had to be finalized far in advance for them to make the shirts right? I don't know how long it would take to design and make the shirts.
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  • JTHJTH Chicago Posts: 3,238
    1) I completely agree that the Wrigley start time was no accident.
    2) I'd love to see them take approach most jam bands go with and do a full set, take a break and then come back out for a second set and encore(s).
  • ceskaceska New York Posts: 1,075
    I assumed that an acoustic/slow set was in order to start the show (a la Boston III/Gorge), given how long we all expected them to play. Did some folks expect otherwise? They weren't going to blow their energy right away. I thought the entire show was epic too. No complaints here, didn't need to hear those cut songs for 30th time. The rarities and the new songs made the setlist memorable for me.

    Anyhow, back on topic, wasn't there some kind of electrical issue that delayed the start?
  • Empty GlassEmpty Glass In Rob's shed Posts: 12,329
    I would bet a large sum of money that the late start was to see what the first line of storms was going to do. The first line went thru about 7:30 and went north of Chicago.

    There was someone hired to keep an eye on the weather and make the appropriate calls.
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  • ahill721ahill721 Posts: 2,071
    Another theory to a slow start could be the bands awareness of the weather and that most likely they would need to take a break. Easier to herd the people after some mellow tracks and a positive vibe.

    Think if the energy that could have happened with DTE, Whipping, Last Exit, Spin the Black Circcle, then having to take a break. Maybe some more intense backlash could have occurred??

    Especially with needing to get that many people off the field in the time they needed to.
    Just a theory
  • Get_RightGet_Right Posts: 12,440

    What the show ultimately lacked was a string of 3 or 4 megahits and choosing to go with lesser known encore songs as opposed to Alive, Betterman (or Jeremy which was not on the set) was unfortunate.

    Um, id bet most people here would have rather heard the rare stuff than songs they have seen many times live.
    The band knew the show was compromised and played the stuff for the hardcore fans that endured travel and a near 3 hour delay.

    The show didn't lack anything given the circumstances. Its amazing they came back at all, let alone give 2 plus hours of music.
  • Merkin BallerMerkin Baller Posts: 10,387
    edited August 2013
    ahill721 wrote:
    Another theory to a slow start could be the bands awareness of the weather and that most likely they would need to take a break. Easier to herd the people after some mellow tracks and a positive vibe.

    Think if the energy that could have happened with DTE, Whipping, Last Exit, Spin the Black Circcle, then having to take a break. Maybe some more intense backlash could have occurred??

    Especially with needing to get that many people off the field in the time they needed to.
    Just a theory


    I am 100% on board with this theory. I think they had an idea of how the night would go, and arranged the setlist accordingly. (All Night right after Ernie Banks left the stage was 100% intentional)

    I also think that if the band could have taken the stage earlier, I really think they would have come out & played as much as possible before pausing the show.

    Just my opinion.(edited for spelling)
    Post edited by Merkin Baller on
  • i'm still exhausted!!!
    It's a hopeless... situation
    And I'm starting to believe
  • DiRtYyELLoWoCeAnDiRtYyELLoWoCeAn Medford, Ma Posts: 1,605
    i'm still exhausted!!!
    :shock:
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  • bgirl59bgirl59 Tucson AZ Posts: 888
    ahill721 wrote:
    Another theory to a slow start could be the bands awareness of the weather and that most likely they would need to take a break. Easier to herd the people after some mellow tracks and a positive vibe.

    Think if the energy that could have happened with DTE, Whipping, Last Exit, Spin the Black Circcle, then having to take a break. Maybe some more intense backlash could have occurred??

    Especially with needing to get that many people off the field in the time they needed to.
    Just a theory

    Absitively - At the time, I figured the mellow tunes were selected just to calm things down, considering a large percentage of us were hanging out in "Wrigleyville" for 36+ hours celebrating this exact moment. :clap: Very well articulated, ahill721, however, instead of "herd" the people, I would say they directed us -they helped us- they protected us from harm's way!! :crazy: :)
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  • GibsonGibson Toronto Posts: 2,507
    Only thing I'm mad about was moving from my merch line at 10:30am to one with a
    Friend. I got the "open at 2:45 line.. Wait another hour before leaving with 0."

    But just scored my Cracker Jack online. All is good!
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  • Trading StoriesTrading Stories Boston Posts: 84
    I love how the 'neighbors' of Wrigley get upset when bands play past curfew. I grew up going to Fenway and buildings like these have been part of the landscape for over 100yrs. There are a handful of baseball games that go well past midnight for whatever reason (xtra inn, rain delays ect). These 'neighbors' should know what they are getting into when they choose to rent or buy near the stadium. These landmarks were there first and people need to deal with what comes with the territory. Just my 2 cents.
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  • tschavtschav Posts: 2,759
    JB128716 wrote:
    If the band never released the planned setlist then no one would have known the songs that were scratched. Even with the shorter set, the set was still longer than any other show I've been too.

    As for the conspiracy theory, I ain't buying it. It is more likely that PJ could leverage their very large donation to the community, the fact that Ernie Banks was in the building, Ed's love for the town, and ohhh who knows what would have happened if 39,999 drunk fans (I was sober) got mad and went to town on that town.

    Yeah, crowd control could've gotten bad. If they did a two-night deal I'd imagine they would have cut the first night show short.
    JB128716 wrote:
    Plus the setlist had to be finalized far in advance for them to make the shirts right? I don't know how long it would take to design and make the shirts.

    They were literally screen printing the shirts outside the venue the day of the show. The fronts were pre-printed, and the setlist art on the back wouldn't have taken long to prep. There were 2-3 shirts being printed at a time while the show was going on (and while the rain delay happened until things got bad).
  • eeriepadaveeeriepadave West Chester, PA Posts: 40,711
    I don't know. I am still wondering why they didn't start earlier if they knew there was gonna be a delay. Could have started around 8 or so and got it at least 3 or 4 more songs.
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  • Go BeaversGo Beavers Posts: 8,588
    Has anyone here been to a show that started on the stated time on the ticket?
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,244
    I thought the late start was due to an electrical issue... :?
  • CC55781CC55781 Posts: 25
    I wonder if there is an insurance policy that only pays if less than X number of minutes have been played. If the concert is considered a rain out then everyone still gets paid through a policy and tickets may be refunded etc...
  • pureocpureoc Posts: 2,383
    I love how the 'neighbors' of Wrigley get upset when bands play past curfew. I grew up going to Fenway and buildings like these have been part of the landscape for over 100yrs. There are a handful of baseball games that go well past midnight for whatever reason (xtra inn, rain delays ect). These 'neighbors' should know what they are getting into when they choose to rent or buy near the stadium. These landmarks were there first and people need to deal with what comes with the territory. Just my 2 cents.


    :clap::clap::clap::clap:

    This has been my thoughts on the Wrigleyville residents pissing and moaning about the renovations and noise and extra lighting it will bring in. Have any of them been living there 100+ years? Doubt it, so shut the hell up. Ball park was there before you, you moved to that area BECAUSE of the ball park, and you should do your research BEFORE you move somewhere like most logical people do. Really sick and tired of the residents whining like babies. Lastly Wrigleyville isn't a cheap place to live so I'm sure they can afford to a quieter neighborhood if that is there issue.

    As for the late start, I totally buy it and being Chicago politics I would not be surprised that money was paid under the table. I remember seeing an article in the trib shortly after the show saying they had to get the wrigleyville common councils approval to extend the curfew. I wonder what else was part of that deal? We will never know for sure but I know this band would have paid the fine/black mail in a second to reward their dedicated fans!
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  • i'm still exhausted!!!
    :shock:


    never been to a 7 hour show before that started in the evening. sure 'paloozas and other fests, but those are multiple acts throughout and entire day...there is time to rest between acts and even during :shock: some.
    the Wrigley experience was amazing, but with hanging out at the Shedd all day then a quick bite and some warm up pops before heading in - then the show itself - hence my exhaustion. ;)

    yay tea time!
    It's a hopeless... situation
    And I'm starting to believe
  • Get_RightGet_Right Posts: 12,440
    pureoc wrote:
    I love how the 'neighbors' of Wrigley get upset when bands play past curfew. I grew up going to Fenway and buildings like these have been part of the landscape for over 100yrs. There are a handful of baseball games that go well past midnight for whatever reason (xtra inn, rain delays ect). These 'neighbors' should know what they are getting into when they choose to rent or buy near the stadium. These landmarks were there first and people need to deal with what comes with the territory. Just my 2 cents.


    :clap::clap::clap::clap:

    This has been my thoughts on the Wrigleyville residents pissing and moaning about the renovations and noise and extra lighting it will bring in. Have any of them been living there 100+ years? Doubt it, so shut the hell up. Ball park was there before you, you moved to that area BECAUSE of the ball park, and you should do your research BEFORE you move somewhere like most logical people do. Really sick and tired of the residents whining like babies. Lastly Wrigleyville isn't a cheap place to live so I'm sure they can afford to a quieter neighborhood if that is there issue.

    As for the late start, I totally buy it and being Chicago politics I would not be surprised that money was paid under the table. I remember seeing an article in the trib shortly after the show saying they had to get the wrigleyville common councils approval to extend the curfew. I wonder what else was part of that deal? We will never know for sure but I know this band would have paid the fine/black mail in a second to reward their dedicated fans!


    A pearl jam concert is not a baseball game. And in case you forgot wrigley only recently started holding night games.
    These people have lived there for years with the expectation and knowledge that it will be quiet at night.
    They have only started allowing the shows since the economy tanked and the local merchants need the business.
    Imagine the kid living above you playing drums at 2 in the morning. Not pleasant.

    Just saying.
  • october22october22 Posts: 2,533
    JB128716 wrote:
    If the band never released the planned setlist then no one would have known the songs that were scratched. Even with the shorter set, the set was still longer than any other show I've been too.

    As for the conspiracy theory, I ain't buying it. It is more likely that PJ could leverage their very large donation to the community, the fact that Ernie Banks was in the building, Ed's love for the town, and ohhh who knows what would have happened if 39,999 drunk fans (I was sober) got mad and went to town on that town.

    Plus the setlist had to be finalized far in advance for them to make the shirts right? I don't know how long it would take to design and make the shirts.

    Not entirely true about the setlist. The dude next to me was taking pictures of it on the stage and posting online in real time.
  • JTHJTH Chicago Posts: 3,238
    Get_Right wrote:
    ...in case you forgot wrigley only recently started holding night games.
    HA HA HA HA HA!

    Only recently. That's a good one.

    The 25th anniversary of the first night game was two days ago.
  • JB128716JB128716 Posts: 2,064
    october22 wrote:
    JB128716 wrote:
    If the band never released the planned setlist then no one would have known the songs that were scratched. Even with the shorter set, the set was still longer than any other show I've been too.

    As for the conspiracy theory, I ain't buying it. It is more likely that PJ could leverage their very large donation to the community, the fact that Ernie Banks was in the building, Ed's love for the town, and ohhh who knows what would have happened if 39,999 drunk fans (I was sober) got mad and went to town on that town.

    Plus the setlist had to be finalized far in advance for them to make the shirts right? I don't know how long it would take to design and make the shirts.

    Not entirely true about the setlist. The dude next to me was taking pictures of it on the stage and posting online in real time.


    That is true and songs get scratched all the time. I just find it odd that people get upset that 8 songs got cut instead of saying they played 30+ songs which is more than most shows. Guess I just look at the world differently.

    I was really surprised that Ernie Banks hung out till midnight for a five minute appearance. That was impressive. I know my dad would have said I'm leaving. Lol
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