*** Big Day Out - Perth Fanviews Here 02/02/14 ***

Another incredible setlist.

Thanks Kat!

B-Rock said:

Now to the bad side. What the hell happened last night. Did bdo or the council kick them off ? 6-7 songs cut from the set. Finished 10.20ish with what was supposed to be 10.30 finish.

Also no one has mentioned that Eddie at end of rocking said 'we've been kicked out' before throwing his microphone to the ground

There's video on youtube. He said: "We done kicked 'em out," quoting Kick Out the Jams. He may have been referring to being told to finish up, but he was smiling when he said it and didn't throw his mic down.

On the setlist thread someone said that they were leaving the stage after Porch but then seemed to be told that they wouldn't be allowed a 2nd encore, so they scrambled RitFW in there before leaving.

http://youtu.be/l4iWfcDTEZM
6:50 He just lays the mic down. And the reason they cut the songs seems to be what I said before. They seemed to be told there wouldn't be a second encore, so they just added a last song to the first. Nothing about the end of RitFW looks abnormal.

I think maybe that was it, they seemed to be cruising through! Which was awesome, maybe thats why it seemed like they ended things ubruptly. I dont care what the BDO put as their "slot" at the end of the day, at a PJ solo gig, you never know how long or short they will play for, ,and I have seen them play one encore before so in line with the "cruisin" comment it all matches out. Now.. here are the fighting words, and please dont get me wrong, the PJ fans are the bomb and still were last night but where were they all? BY FUCKING GOD i blame the bdo for this but I feel like I need to give an apology from Perth as this has to be one of the worst gigs i have seen from a Perth audience at a PJ gig, close to embarrasing. If you are on this forum I suspect you have seen them here, and more than likely elsewhere, a number of times before, pulling in sold out crowds, amped up as much as the band but last night..bajeezus! The amount of people I had near me chatting away,, may as well started pouring cups of tea! And all the whinging about not playing their popular radio songs, are you kidding me! If you know the band that dont mean shit! The band performed exceptionally, as usual, but BDO, what the fuck did you do! Perth is the freaking best when it comes to PJ. Im still astounded.

As there has been so much debacle over this years Big Day Out, I was relieved when Sunday finally came around and I was about to see the finest and greatest rock band on the planet again. Hearing that only 12,000 tickets had been sold for the festival, I was expecting around 9,000 fans making it a nice intimate show with the other ticket holders at other stages.

Going with a few of my mates who are casual Pearl Jam fans, unlike the full on PJ fan I am, this was a bit of a nostalgic day for all of us as we had all been to very many Big Day Out's in the past and this was the final ever Perth Big Day Out, and a lot of our mates who would normally be there weren't. When we showed up around 5.30, I was surprised at how many people were there. It was like a ghost town. Half the bar areas were closed off because there were hardly any lines. Getting merchandise was easy, food easy, it was all easy and looking good. With a last minute offer by promoters for after 6pm $100 tickets at the door, I was expecting more people to show up, it was all set out for it.

Being in the bar area to the right of the blue stage that PJ were going to be playing on, we waited for PJ there while Arcade Fire played on the orange stage. Not being a fan of them, the sound was great from where we were and I was impressed with their show.

It was nearly 8pm and towards the end of Arcade Fire I noticed that, while a few more people had arrived, unlike previous years it was still fairly empty. I noticed it was looking easy to get down towards the front so a couple of my mates and I went down and stood about 10 metres on Stones side. To be honest, it's the closest I've ever been to the band playing on stage so I was really happy with where we stood.

About a minute or so after Arcade Fire finished, Pearl Jam hit the stage at 8pm. Starting off with Go, Evolution, Last Exit and Animal, the crowd around us were, like me, so vocal and it was hard to hear Eddies vocals. Starting off with a set like this, I knew we were in for an awesome set like 2006's concert at Subiaco Oval. But during these first few songs the wind was blowing all about and I noticed that the sound was a bit all over the place. The band were playing awesome and tight as usual but the sound wasn't loud enough to begin with, and I noticed that Stones lead would be coming from the right speaker and Mikes lead would be coming from the left speaker, so from where I was standing all I could hear was Stone going sick. Every time Mike was doing his thing, especially during Animal, I could see him playing on the video screen, but it was like his guitar wasn't even plugged in. I couldn't hear him rip it. I pointed it out to my mate and he agreed.

After Corduroy, Ed finally said g'day to the crowd. During this little interaction, I was hoping they would iron out the sound issues. Again, the crowd were very vocal during Elderly Woman, and by Even Flow it was evident the sound issue hadn't been fixed. I couldn't hear Mike. My mates left to go and meet all the others in the bar area, and I was left solo to soak it all up and try and enjoy it as best I could. Being treated to Deep was something really special, and although Sirens bores me (it just goes on too long), in typical PJ fashion it sounded better live than the studio version. Not really a festival song though.

Realising during Jeremy that I seriously needed to stop singing for a bit and get a drink, I waited until the first encore and headed straight to the bar for a beverage. I decided that I would check on my mates and see how the first couple of songs sounded from the bar area a bit further back. Ed was speaking but I could hardly hear him.

Throw Your Arms Around Me started and, whilst it was great to see the band perform it with the songs writer Mark Seymour from Aussie band Hunters & Collecters at the '03 concert, they have performed it at every Perth gig since then and I'm personally over hearing them do it. I'm not a fan of the song and I think it's a waste of quality PJ time. I also noticed that there must have been a crowd of about 7,000 dispersed around the oval and in the bar area it didn't look like many people were getting into it, the sound was still quiet and wish washy.

Black came on, I nearly hyperventilated, and I had to leave my mates and try for a better sound spot. I found a huge open pocket about 20 metres back centre of stage. The sound was a bit better, but again noticed the crowd not really getting into it. Everyone was a casual Pearl Jam fan, and waiting for songs like Betterman. The small contingent of full on PJ fans down the front looked like they were enjoying it, but although the band were giving 110% the crowd seemed to be engaged. Ed even asked if the crowd wanted to go home to get the crowd revved up, and it seemed the only cheers were only coming from down the front.

Porch came on and at the end you could just sense it was the end of the first encore. But then Ed runs around chatting to all the band and then the next thing they break into RITFW. I thought it was odd them playing that as I know that's one of their gig closers, but I thought that being the last Big Day Out and with plenty of time, they must be saving some casual fan crowd pleasers till last. Being more like a Karaoke gig and being ruined with the lead singer from Arcade Fire joining in, RITFW finished and the band waved, said thanks, Ed picks up his book and they all walked off.

The crowd clapped for a little while, it went sort of quiet, roadies starting fossicking about on stage, and after about a minute or so and with fans realising the prospect it could be the actual end of the show, fans started calling for more but it was actually all over. I looked at my watch and it wasn't even 10.15pm, certainly not the 2.5 hours as advertised. They still had time to play another song or two. I was in a state of shock and couldn't believe it ended the way it did, and missing a second encore which basically every other show has got on this tour. No Alive, no Daughter, no singalongs for the casual fans to also get into and maybe get the whole crowd pumped. I was surprised we at least didn't get Alive, especially it being the last BDO. What a somber way to finish a Pearl Jam show and a long running touring Australian festival.

I caught up with my casual fan mates who were disappointed there was no Alive, Betterman, etc..., and like me, was disappointed with the show. They said they have seen better BDO headliners and I have to agree.

Don't get me wrong, the band were on fire. Tight as usual, and the setlist was perfect for a full on PJ fan. But the sound was hardly in your face loud, especially the more distant you were from the stage and it was too wishy washy, Depending on where you were standing depended on who you were hearing, so some people were really only hearing half the song. I think the show was cut short as Ed just couldn't get those beyond full on PJ fan status, coupled with the ghost town like atmosphere, engaged to warrant playing on for a few more songs.

After reading so many awesome reviews, I was really excited for this show as I know PJ deliver quality. I really like Lightning Bolt, so was looking forward to hearing the new songs live. But for me this was missing that usual quality Pearl Jam sound and atmosphere, and was certainly the worst Pearl Jam gig I've been too. Unlike the tour poster, it failed to impress.

Pearl Jam at the Big Day Out ten or so years ago would have been a dream come true but like the BDO, full on PJ fans have aged a bit and are a bit too old for a festival. I know ALOT of fans who would normally see PJ but didn't go as they were turned off by the expensive all day festival thing.

When you come back, and let us all pray it's very soon, please consider the new Perth Arena. Amazing venue, especially acoustic wise, you will sound amazing.

The sound thing was not just a problem at the Perth show. It appears it was an issue at all Big Day Out shows especially if you were on Stone's side. I had the same problem at the Gold Coast show. Was excited to get a spot at the front barrier on Stone's side but could barely hear Mike all night. So disappointing but I didn't want to lose my good spot so put up with it. It paid off in the end with Mike coming down and running down along the barrier, then stopping to play for a while. It's a shame the Perth show ended sooner that it was supposed to, especially with it being Pearl Jam's VERY LAST show on Australian soil and who knows when they'll be back again. >:P

Was a great gig. Having spent the kids inheritance following all of the big day out shows, I was a little disappointed that the Perth gig ended so abruptly. We all stood there a bit bemused at the front for a while afterwards wishing for the band to come out and say Hi. All the same, great setlist and energy - some of the set didn't make it up onto stage, maybe delayed from Adelaide, but arguably that gave the band more space to play. Highlight of the Perth gig? I'd probably have to say Deep.

Regarding missing songs from the setlist, if they didn't play some extended instrumentals on Porch etc they may have squeezed a few in!! I would say that the council were the culprits though, in Sydney they played for two and three-quarter hours, and two and a half in Melbourne and Adelaide. Who knows if moving it from Claremont was the best thing to do (THE best thing to do would have been a proper PJ tour).

Exhausted but very satisfied with the three weeks exploits. Hoping for a return soon. As Eddie isn't coming to Adelaide (Hmph), I don't have a reasonable excuse to go to another...

I stood back for all shows but Perth, being on Stone's side at the front did mean that I barely heard Mike - in fact the only time I really heard him is when Eddie asked Mike 'what's this rock n roll thing all about' and he gave us a blues lick! It was awesome though listening to Stone, he played great.

E.K said:

The sound thing was not just a problem at the Perth show. It appears it was an issue at all Big Day Out shows especially if you were on Stone's side. I had the same problem at the Gold Coast show. Was excited to get a spot at the front barrier on Stone's side but could barely hear Mike all night. So disappointing but I didn't want to lose my good spot so put up with it. It paid off in the end with Mike coming down and running down along the barrier, then stopping to play for a while. It's a shame the Perth show ended sooner that it was supposed to, especially with it being Pearl Jam's VERY LAST show on Australian soil and who knows when they'll be back again. >:P

E.K said:

The sound thing was not just a problem at the Perth show. It appears it was an issue at all Big Day Out shows especially if you were on Stone's side. I had the same problem at the Gold Coast show. Was excited to get a spot at the front barrier on Stone's side but could barely hear Mike all night. So disappointing but I didn't want to lose my good spot so put up with it. It paid off in the end with Mike coming down and running down along the barrier, then stopping to play for a while. It's a shame the Perth show ended sooner that it was supposed to, especially with it being Pearl Jam's VERY LAST show on Australian soil and who knows when they'll be back again. >:P

It's a festival.