***Official New Zealand Fans Thread***

Thoughts and observations on Pearl Jam, Big Day Out 2014.

I must say I was really excited to see the Jammers again for the first time since 2009, in fact the whole day at the BDO was pretty damn great. saw a few cool bands leading up to PJ's headlining set, NZ's 'the Naked And Famous' were good, a very polished live act. A mate and I waited in a que for beers for about an hour while Primus played the Main Stage, we waited so long for the drinks that we missed the start of 'The Hives'. Have seen these guys last time they played the BDO back in '05, so didn't want to miss them as I knew they were awesome live. Made it down to the main arena area for the majority of their set and it was brilliant. That band know how to rock out and the front man, Pelle is very funny! Telling the crowd they were the best looking bunch of Hobbit's he'd ever seen, and when some huge bouncing balls with the MTV logo on them were bouncing on the crowd he said - "This set is sponsored by MTV!", very tongue in cheek. Their whole set was very enjoyable.

Next we went to another stage over the hill to see Mudhoney. First time seeing these legends live, and wow they didn't disappoint, some very brutal rock riffing from these guys. I didn't know most of the songs they played, but liked every song, good to see a band keeping pure, punk rock alive, plus they played the stupendous 'Touch Me I'm Sick', fantastic! Then it was back tot the main stage to see Arcade Fire, I was really looking forward to seeing these guy's as I have a few of their albums and 'Funeral' is a bonafide classic. Ten people on stage is impressive and the fact a few of them swapped instruments means they a real muso's with immense talent. The tracks they played off the new album were mostly great, a couple were kinda dull though. But, really great to hear 'Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)', 'Rebellion (Lies)' and 'Wake Up' live, superb!

Then it was time for the main event, the legends themselves....Pearl Jam! The crowd was huge for their set, I'm sure a lot of people were off seeing other acts, Snoop Dogg, Deftones etc, but it seemed the vast majority were here to see PJ do their thing. They opened with 'Release' and it was obvious from the start Eddie's voice is still a massive asset to this band, he showed his voice's real power straight away. They then hit us with some of their best tracks, 'Go' then 'Corduroy' which was huge, followed by 'Lightning Bolt', a song that could easily become a new classic. I was very happy to hear 'Brain of J' live, such a cool song! Then followed by a primo version of "Even Flow', sounding better live than ever before! I'm not a fan of 'Sirens', so that kind of bored me, though the crowd seemed to enjoy it.



'Let The Records Play' and 'Imfalliible' followed next, two very good songs off their latest album. The crowd around me seemed to get a little restless during 'Imfallible', but I thought it was great, maybe because it's mid-tempo it didn't grab the audience. 'Unthought Unknown' was really good too and then nice to see a rather over looked song with 'Save You' appear in the set. The next number was the highlight for me, 'Habit' the fast, in-you-face song off 'No Code' was a real winner, plus having Liam Finn arrive to sing it was very cool. He reminded me off his uncle Tim with his manic energy circa 1979 as he ripped into this punk-rock gem. 'Betterman' was ok, lots of people around me getting into it, singing away, though it's never been a fave of mine so I went to get some more drinks.

After the short encore they played 'Footsteps' which was pretty rad, then 'Small Town' and one song I really can't stand 'Nothingman' yawn! "Daughter' came next and that lifted things up again for me, this sounded amazing live and when they went into that breakdown part, wow, this was when Pearl jam really showed their true class, sounded effortless and probably was for them, brilliant! Then 'Why Go' was played and that rocked hard too, such awesome energy to this one, boom! The final song 'Baba O'Reilly was treat too, Pearl Jam making the riff their own as Eddie swung from some dangling lights out over the front of the crowd, cool! All in all Pearl Jam brought it, can't wait until next time!



Observations on the band members:

Mike - That guy is incredible, the way he put's his head back as he unleashes one of his solo's, it's like he is being hit by lightning as he just stands and delivers. A true genius!

Jeff - Rocking a very large greying goatee and a cool 'The Cult' t-shirt, you could tell he was enjoying every moment up there.

Matt - Mr Reliable, does this guy ever make a mistake, like ever?! So solid at the back.

Eddie - That was some bottle of red he brought on stage, never seen a bottle of wine so large! I think he drank t all too, good effort! Great story telling too, the one about when he got saved at a beach here back in 95' was awesome, you can tell the man love's NZ.

Stone - Seems like a very laid back dude, smiles a lot on stage and just cruises around strumming away happy as Larry.

How's everyone's post tour/show depression?

Meanwhile hi :-h NZ peeps it was great to see so many people last weekend.

Plus I'm super jazzed that QOTSA are coming but deep down I'm all.... You're not Pearl Jam :-S

Maybe this will help.

ldent42 said:

Maybe this will help.

little bit.. *swoons*