*** ACL Festival Fanviews Here 10/5/14 ***

TONIGHT!!! Listen to Pearl Jam's October 5th ACL Austin, TX show on Channel 22 SiriusXM PJ Radio @ 9pm EST.

I was at this show and it was AMAZING. Any way to listen to it?

Saeglopur said:

I was at this show and it was AMAZING. Any way to listen to it?

http://pearljam.com/goods/product_info.php?cPath=11&products_id=3048

Okay, so I am a good 4 months late on this review but here it is.

I woke up at 2:30 AM due to absolute excitement and decided to make a poster - I actually made around 5 different posters because I just couldn't figure out what I wanted to say. I turned 18 in July, so this was the first time I've ever been anywhere without my parents and what a place to experience by myself. ACL is very spirited and VERY HOT - but I will definitely be going again.

I made my poor friend get up at 5 AM and dragged her downtown, where we parked maybe 100 feet from the entrance ($15 parking all day super close, why didn't I figure this out the first two days???) and we were the third and fourth people there. Everyone who showed up this ungodly early was for Pearl Jam, and everyone was very surprised that we (two 18 year old girls in converse playing Scrabble with cheez-it's) were there for Pearl Jam too.

About thirty minutes before they opened the gates, someone mentioned the run to the stage. And that is when I became absolutely terrified. The run? The run was .8 miles (I think, it might have been .3, come to think of it) but it was still more than I was prepared for. Third person there, fifteenth to get to the barrier. However, I was still front row and I was still oh-so-very happy.

I didn't leave my perch once. Not even to go to the bathroom. I think it was so hot that I actually sweat out all of the water that I'd been drinking. The Replacements were amazing and I have since become a huge fan. Towards the end of their set you could see Ed ROCKING out in the corner off stage. Of course, once he saw that everyone was staring and taking pictures of him, he took a few steps back and disappeared behind stage.

The poster that I'd chosen to bring had one song on it, the one song that I'd fallen in love with and thought I was probably never going to hear live. "Faithful" in bright red letters was what I'd chosen, but I actually decided to keep it at my feet, not wanting to block everyone behind me's vision.

After what felt like 72 hours, Pearl Jam came out. "Long Road" was the best opener I could have hoped for (though I kind of wanted to hear "Pendulum" or "Release"). Songs that I could have only dreamt of hearing live were played and I even have a new found appreciation for LBC. Ed's version of "Imagine" was so beautiful, I actually got a line from John's song tattooed once I got back home.

But then, out of nowhere, Faithful started playing. Everyone (strangers who I wish I could have gotten to know better - Pearl Jam has the most amazing, kind-hearted, beautiful fans) around me who had seen my poster began to nudge me and pat my shoulders. Tears streaming down my face, I sang horribly along to my favorite song, knowing that no other band would ever hold this much meaning to me ever.

While Ed was speaking between one of the songs, I decided to wave maniacally at Mike, who I believe waved back (in my general direction at least) AND THEN the best moment of my whole life happened when Ed came running between the barriers and I touched his gloriously sweaty hand.

Absolute bliss.

Here's my french-bread loaf looking arm


And here's me hiding under my poster and my friend hating me


And finally this is a terrifying mid concert selfie showcasing my huge teeth