Lollapalooza Fanviews Here, Aug 5, 2007

iamica · August 2007

Quick recap of my day...
Horribly disappointed that I couldn't get tickets to the Vic and couldn't go to Wrigley to see Ed sing, and knowing that with my high 10c number this would be my only chance to be up close to the stage, I took the risk.
I got to the gate at 10:30 and half walked, half ran to the AT&T stage. I had one big bottle of water, and that was it. I ended up about 5 "rows" back, about 20-25 feet away from the stage on the left side (Mike's side).
So I sat/stood there for about 11 1/2 hours. I can't describe the heat. You're facing south, so the sun's in your face all day. Luckily I had a handheld fan. But by the time I got home my clothes, my hair, everything was drenched. By the end I literally thought that I was going to die; I couldn't breathe because of the heat and all the people squishing forward, and there were a ton of people smoking around me.
Despite all of it, I have no regrets. When Ed came onstage with Kings of Leon and I finally saw him up close, I went completely nuts. Awesome that he completely shredded those tambourines. What song was that?
The next few hours were brutal. I ran out of water during MMJ. A bunch of people who obviously hadn't been there the whole day were shoving their way to the front. I'm happy to have met so many ecstatic PJ fans, but some of these people were the most rude and inconsiderate people I've ever encountered. This couple pushed in front of me and smugly informed me that they weren't moving, then proceeded to make fun of me and blow smoke in my face. Thankfully, Security booted them during the middle of PJ's set when the asshat was trying to put his girlfriend on his shoulders.
But enough negativity. When PJ came out, they tore up the place. The crowd went absolutely frickin nuts. The crowd surfing/pushing started, and I spent most of the show singing when I could, trying to breathe, and trying not to fall. Absolutely exhilirating, and the best part was that I could see all of their faces clearly. Ed was smiling the whole time, and I saw Jeff laugh a few times (I love his smile!). There were some sound issues, but I figured it was because we were so close. It still rocked.
Some highlights: Mike's solo/Matt's drum solo!, Ed coming out and singing "Alive" accapella with the crowd, who had been singing it during the break, the Bush and BP Amoco rants (the crowd broke into a chant of "Fuck BP!", which made Ed laugh), EDUCATION, just the whole thing. And all those people up there at the end. I was blown away.
Afterwards, I stumbled over to the waterfountain and dunked my head in it and swallowed water until I thought I would pass out.
I'll probably never do anything like that again, but it was SO worth it. So glad they came to Chicago this summer.

hsewif · August 2007

IamMine wrote:

Well, well, welll...

That was the interpreters I requested TWO MONTHS AGO and they refused to come to where I was to have access to their services.

They can KISS my ASS!!!

I was put in the "cage" and treated like an animal back there.

I am trying to deal with this but right now I am too angry about not being able to see the interpreters from where I was.

They told you the setlist and yet they refused to tell me.

They knew I was angry and a big PJ fan.

There were three or four of them there and yet, not a single came to take care of me.

I will make a video in Sign Language (ASL) and also caption/subtitle it for all of you to see my review and the shit I went through trying to get access to those interpreters that I requested TWO MONTHS ago.

Shame on the interpreters for having their own personal agenda and forgetting their true purpose of being at the festival - providing access to the deaf.

They failed this.

And they knew this was my last Pearl Jam show for good.

Shame on you, interpreters, shame on you!!!!

where were you??? There were interpreters on Mike's side all day, different ones all night long!

-and why was this your last show for good?

IamMine · August 2007

hsewif wrote:

where were you??? There were interpreters on Mike's side all day, different ones all night long!

-and why was this your last show for good?

Inside the barrier area on Mike's side where security put me there "temporarily" to work out with the issue on accessing the interpreters cuz PJ fans beat me to the front row when the gates opened. They didn't want to piss the fans off by telling them to move out of the way so I can have access to the interpreters.

I had to compete for access while others competed for their luxury access to front row.

I offered the interpreters other solutions - coming inside the barrier to interpret for me or at the wheelchair area.

Apparently the wheelies complained about the interpreters blocking their view last year so they decided not to place the interpreters there.

But my area was perfect - open and roomy for interpreters.

The interpreters didn't want to be there. They wanted to be on the stage....I'm not going further into this right now.

They ignored me for two months to work on PJ songs in ASL.

I've had enough of interpreters taking control of the situation and thinking they know the best for the deaf.

And I'm tired of dealing with the venues who look down on me simply because I requested an interpreter with ASL skills.

I"m just tired of being viewed as a deaf militant.

All I wanted was access to the interpreters and I was denied.

I haven't been sleeping very well lately because I am very hurt and angry. I also feel used and abused.

I sang to myself "Animal" in that "cage" over and over all day. I also have a very different interpretation of Given To Fly.

I will explain more when I am more calm, but I want to do this in ASL and provide you all with caption so you can understand better where I'm coming from.

I'm not blaming PJ and I will still continue support and listen to them - from home.

But no more PJ shows for me.

share · August 2007

IamMine wrote:

Inside the barrier area on Mike's side where security put me there "temporarily" to work out with the issue on accessing the interpreters cuz PJ fans beat me to the front row when the gates opened. They didn't want to piss the fans off by telling them to move out of the way so I can have access to the interpreters.

I had to compete for access while others competed for their luxury access to front row.

I offered the interpreters other solutions - coming inside the barrier to interpret for me or at the wheelchair area.

Apparently the wheelies complained about the interpreters blocking their view last year so they decided not to place the interpreters there.

But my area was perfect - open and roomy for interpreters.

The interpreters didn't want to be there. They wanted to be on the stage....I'm not going further into this right now.

They ignored me for two months to work on PJ songs in ASL.

I've had enough of interpreters taking control of the situation and thinking they know the best for the deaf.

And I'm tired of dealing with the venues who look down on me simply because I requested an interpreter with ASL skills.

I"m just tired of being viewed as a deaf militant.

All I wanted was access to the interpreters and I was denied.

I haven't been sleeping very well lately because I am very hurt and angry. I also feel used and abused.

I sang to myself "Animal" in that "cage" over and over all day. I also have a very different interpretation of Given To Fly.

I will explain more when I am more calm, but I want to do this in ASL and provide you all with caption so you can understand better where I'm coming from.

I'm not blaming PJ and I will still continue support and listen to them - from home.

But no more PJ shows for me.

The interpeter that Ed was dancing with during one of the songs(can't remember which) seemed to be having a jolly time. Not sure if she was
actually interpreting anything or those were her dance moves.

This is just unfair and wrong. Especially knowing how much you and Bobby
love the band and all you have endured and overcome over the last few years.

It would be our loss if we didn't get an opportunity to meet you again
at future shows.

hsewif · August 2007

IamMine wrote:

Inside the barrier area on Mike's side where security put me there "temporarily" to work out with the issue on accessing the interpreters cuz PJ fans beat me to the front row when the gates opened. They didn't want to piss the fans off by telling them to move out of the way so I can have access to the interpreters.

I had to compete for access while others competed for their luxury access to front row.

I offered the interpreters other solutions - coming inside the barrier to interpret for me or at the wheelchair area.

Apparently the wheelies complained about the interpreters blocking their view last year so they decided not to place the interpreters there.

But my area was perfect - open and roomy for interpreters.

The interpreters didn't want to be there. They wanted to be on the stage....I'm not going further into this right now.

They ignored me for two months to work on PJ songs in ASL.

I've had enough of interpreters taking control of the situation and thinking they know the best for the deaf.

And I'm tired of dealing with the venues who look down on me simply because I requested an interpreter with ASL skills.

I"m just tired of being viewed as a deaf militant.

All I wanted was access to the interpreters and I was denied.

I haven't been sleeping very well lately because I am very hurt and angry. I also feel used and abused.

I sang to myself "Animal" in that "cage" over and over all day. I also have a very different interpretation of Given To Fly.

I will explain more when I am more calm, but I want to do this in ASL and provide you all with caption so you can understand better where I'm coming from.

I'm not blaming PJ and I will still continue support and listen to them - from home.

But no more PJ shows for me.

I'm sorry you had such a horrible experience. When I saw the interpreters, I thought about you and your post years ago about getting the implant. There was a woman in front of us that was signing back-and-forth with the black guy... I don't know if she couldn't see or what the issue was with her. We were all off to the side... was the interpreter behind you or something? Were you closer to the stage and you had to turn back to see them?

IamMine · August 2007

share wrote:

The interpeter that Ed was dancing with during one of the songs(can't remember which) seemed to be having a jolly time. Not sure if she was
actually interpreting anything or those were her dance moves.

This is just unfair and wrong. Especially knowing how much you and Bobby
love the band and all you have endured and overcome over the last few years.

It would be our loss if we didn't get an opportunity to meet you again
at future shows.

Yup, she's a PJ fan.

It was her dream to interpret for PJ.

Would one fuck me over if I couldn't access to his/her service?

I don't see why not!

hsewif wrote:

I'm sorry you had such a horrible experience. When I saw the interpreters, I thought about you and your post years ago about getting the implant. There was a woman in front of us that was signing back-and-forth with the black guy... I don't know if she couldn't see or what the issue was with her. We were all off to the side... was the interpreter behind you or something? Were you closer to the stage and you had to turn back to see them?

No, I was behind the last row of PJ fans in the open barrier on Mike's side.

I could not see the interpreters from there - it's like watching a small TV screen.

And with the fans jumping up and down - nope.

The interpreters kept saying, "well, we're providing access for everyone in the crowd"

*gasps*

If I could not see them from where I was, then certainly others can't!

That was full of BS they pulled on us.

I consider this as my punishment because I was able to access to the interpreters for Ben Harper & The innocents because I ran to the front row. I looked out for myself.

But I didn't consider the fact that there could have been other deaf fans in the crowd who couldn't see them.

I really shouldn't have said too much - Bobby told me to sleep on this for a week before saying anything.

IamMine · August 2007

share wrote:

The interpeter that Ed was dancing with during one of the songs(can't remember which) seemed to be having a jolly time. Not sure if she was
actually interpreting anything or those were her dance moves.

Oh, that was Alive.

I saw her on the screen. Good for her.

The other terp - the blond one - also a semi-pj fan... got to drink the wine. I saw that on the screen as well.

Weee... good for her.

:rolleyes:

share · August 2007

IamMine wrote:

Oh, that was Alive.

I saw her on the screen. Good for her.

The other terp - the blond one - also a semi-pj fan... got to drink the wine. I saw that on the screen as well.

Weee... good for her.

:rolleyes:

aha, I have now discovered a way to get on stage and dance with Ed.

IamMine · August 2007

share wrote:

aha, I have now discovered a way to get on stage and dance with Ed.

lmao

knitted · August 2007

i'm cheating but i just wanted to share this 'non-fanview' from time out chicago, just for perspective's sake:

"After a long, long, music-filled weekend I barely had the energy to stay for Pearl Jam. The group had an egregious seven-disc live box set that came out a couple months ago, but now I can see why: A live show that powerful has probably offered tons of good material.

“Good evening, Chicago,” Eddie Vedder announced. “I’ve been waiting a very long time to say that,” the Evanston native added, reminiscing about riding the El while listening to Neil Young and Patti Smith. I admit that I had a somewhat dismissive attitude toward Pearl Jam beforehand, but watching them blaze onstage even through the slow songs was impressive (as were the crazy fireworks display during “Evenflow”). The selection of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” as the night’s capper wasn’t a surprising move—but having a huge crowd onstage that included Lance Armstrong, and Eddie Vedder perched upon Dennis Rodman’s shoulders? INSANE. Sweaty, dusty and satisfied, we the crowd filed away from Lollapalooza for another year."

and this is good too but you can go and look yourself

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/08/06/pearl-jam-amy-winehouse-ben-harper-behind-the-scenes-at-lollapalooza-with-the-smoking-section/
it starts: "The Smoking Section has to give it up for Eddie Vedder, who swept through Chicago and made our Lollapalooza worth living. "

rollingstone423 · August 2007

Even with backstage passes we ended up All the way in the back, by the next set of speakers and the screens the sound was flawless- guess it doesnt always pay top be up in eddies balls now does it...??? ha haaaa...Great fun set- too much greatest hits but still sounded fucking amazing....I feel like they chose the greatest hits for the regulars there who gave up on it years ago and still werent so interested leaving early in the encores and all..I feel like they could have come out and shown them Pearl Jam now- a normal set that we hear at normal shows and it may have changed their minds, but instead they gave em what they already knew and left behind. Still some great stuff in there- energy was fuckin high...WELL WORTH THE TRIP out there....hot as hell.....HAD A BLAST- All in all Iggy Pop blew away EVERYONE- was by far the highlight. the end

Prioronfire22 · August 2007

I was there, and I was about 30 yards away from the stage. I saw a lot of people there with Ten Club Member shirts. I also met a lot of great people and was actually able to have a really good time. I thought the setlist was amazing, that was the first time I have heard the song Education, but I thought that was nice, I really like to hear stuff live that I either haven't heard in a while or in that case never heard at all. I've read a lot of complaints on Mike's gear, I actually didn't see too much of a problem with it, I know early on it was messing up but imo it increasingly got better.

goldrush · August 2007

Vedd Hedd wrote:

I loved the Pearl Jam part of the show.

I hated the crowd. Too many people, too much pushing, too many people who showed up later only to try to slam their way forward. I ended up moving back after being there since noon.

I will not attend another festival.

I do, though, look forward to a regular Pearl Jam show. with Assigned seats.

I did meet some great people. But there was so much shoving, crowd surfing, people landing on my head, and it was so damn hot.......

It was hard to enjoy an otherwise great show and great moment.

WTF?!?!?!?!?!? Too many people?!? Get over yourself!

This is a pretty lame post considering how great the entire festival was, Pearl Jam especially

Rapunzel64 · August 2007

I am so glad that the band decided to play for us this summer in Chicago! We didn't hear any distortions. We just rocked out and had a great time enjoying the band.

Teddyledbetter · August 2007

They didn't show us before, we looked over their shoulder as they sat in front of us on the rail. The picture was taken after the show.
Just for your info...

IamMine wrote:

Well, well, welll...

That was the interpreters I requested TWO MONTHS AGO and they refused to come to where I was to have access to their services.

They can KISS my ASS!!!

I was put in the "cage" and treated like an animal back there.

I am trying to deal with this but right now I am too angry about not being able to see the interpreters from where I was.

They told you the setlist and yet they refused to tell me.

They knew I was angry and a big PJ fan.

There were three or four of them there and yet, not a single came to take care of me.

I will make a video in Sign Language (ASL) and also caption/subtitle it for all of you to see my review and the shit I went through trying to get access to those interpreters that I requested TWO MONTHS ago.

Shame on the interpreters for having their own personal agenda and forgetting their true purpose of being at the festival - providing access to the deaf.

They failed this.

And they knew this was my last Pearl Jam show for good.

Shame on you, interpreters, shame on you!!!!

IamMine · August 2007

Teddyledbetter wrote:

They didn't show us before, we looked over their shoulder as they sat in front of us on the rail. The picture was taken after the show.
Just for your info...

Well, that's good 'cause they weren't supposed to share the setlist with ANYONE, including me.

I was fine with that, really because that's how it is supposed to work. I didn't want to know what was on setlist, to be honest with you.

I like the surprise like anyone else - but I was angry at them and the way she acted towards me.

Because she came to me and asked me for the interpretation of GTF, knowing that is the famous song Eddie dances with the terp.

I said I ain't giving you the interpretation if I can't see the interpreters. She said nothing.

"It's on the setlist, right?"

She went uh yeah and looked away.

"It's not surprising to me, really, because that is pretty much a standard song for the general audience."

She went away and I never saw her again during the show.

Still feeling the anger and hurt today.

It hurts to watch the webcast right now. I feel sick to my stomach.

Voncaster · August 2007

I thought the set list was pretty good, and pj's effort was great. But the technical issues and the crowd were downers.

Mike or his tech really needs to sort out his guitar issues. The last show I went to a year ago, Mike was having technical issues with his guitar. I've heard he had some troubles at the Vic as well. It seems to be a reoccuring issue that needs to be worked out.

95% of the crowd around me were fantastic and respectful (I was about 25-30 rows back about centered on Ament). But I was a bit to the left of that position earlier during Kings of Leon. When Eddy got on stage some girls held up a sign that said "I love Ed," for the entire song. It completely blocked my view. I don't care if you hold up a sign now and again, but I have a feeling those girls would hoist that sign for the majority of the PJ set. I wasn't going to repeat that view for PJ, so I moved more towards the center as KOL fans and MMJ fans or exausted PJ fans left. During the PJ set, quite a few meathead/frat boy types muscled there way up front. Pushing people who sat up front all day out their way. What a bunch of punks. On the bright side most people were good and well behaved.

Pearl Jams setlist was good, though a bit uneven. It seemed to me like they were trying to play both to a casual and a hardcore crowd at the same time. When they broke out Education I was litterally the only one in my immediate area of that was singing along. But the energy of the band was good all night. I thought Ed and Matt were particularily inspired. You could also tell that playing Chicago was a genuine treat for Ed. Daughter is one of my favorite songs, so I was gald that was played. I haven't heard the Another Brick in the Wall tag live before. Mike rocking the guitar behind his head for Even flow was also very cool. "No More" with the Iraq war vetran, and Ben Harper was inspiring. RITFW was an absolute party and a good closer for PJ and the entire event. Seeing Ed hoised up by a towering black man was a WTF moment for me. Who is this guy I tought to myself? Oh yeah, its one the greatest rebounders in NBA history.

Lollapalooza wasn't my favorite PJ show that I have been too, but it was definitely the biggest and most historic. A few crowd issues aside I had a great time. I'm glad I made the trip from Minneapolis.

I hope we get an officail boot at some point in the near future.

ddirt80 · August 2007

Originally Posted by Vedd Hedd
I loved the Pearl Jam part of the show.

I hated the crowd. Too many people, too much pushing, too many people who showed up later only to try to slam their way forward. I ended up moving back after being there since noon.

I will not attend another festival.

I do, though, look forward to a regular Pearl Jam show. with Assigned seats.

I did meet some great people. But there was so much shoving, crowd surfing, people landing on my head, and it was so damn hot.......

It was hard to enjoy an otherwise great show and great moment.

I already have about 3-4 faces from my day that I could probably tie this post's author to. You're at a fucking musical festival lady, not a picnic.

Take your blanket and go to the back. People need to chill the fuck out and relax and enjoy the show....Getting too caught up with everyone else. If it's too intense, you move back. Do what you need to do...Sometimes you have to move around. You are NOT entitled to anything in the General admission area of a music festival...It's going to get crazy....Period.

Unfortunately, it wasn't just an all Pearl jam show, and there is going to be a mix of people there, and not just the Ten club. One of the things we love about Pearl jam is the agressiveness of the band; and unfortunately, they are loved by jocks who don't care about the lyrics for the same reason.

long road walker · August 2007

AMAZING, simply amazing, Ill go back to Lolla every year, beautifully set up event. short lines, cheap food & Drinks ( 2 dolla vitamin waters, 3 dollar hot dogs) was so awesome, discovered so many great bands, got into some great bans even more & saw the AMAZING PEARL JAM kick 100,000 people ass all over grant park, so awesome

saw Perry w Sattelite Party do a lot of Porno 4 Pyos & Janes Addiction songs, was amazing

Perry & SP played a secret show at House of Blues late Sunday night after Pearl Jam

Vedd Hedd · August 2007

goldrush wrote:

WTF?!?!?!?!?!? Too many people?!? Get over yourself!

This is a pretty lame post considering how great the entire festival was, Pearl Jam especially

Get over myself?? What does that mean?? I dont like festival crowds. You are free to like anything you want. I couldnt move.

Lollapalooza Fanviews Here, Aug 5, 2007

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Lollapalooza Fanviews Here, Aug 5, 2007