Newark, NJ 5-18-10

cutz said:

judyblueyes said:

Amazing Show! but I agree it wasn't a NYC crowd. Boot is great.

True, but it was better then the 2 NYC shows.

I was at all 3 and my opinion is much different. On paper , Yes. But its not only the set that makes the show good. The complete lack of enthusiasm from the crowd for the band will always taint this show for me. The garden was shaking from start to finish and the energy was unreal which easily gave those 2 shows the edge for me.

I'll have to go hunt down my blog for this show. I just remember grooving on it the whole time. As previously stated, when you start with Of the Girl, you're in really great shape. In Hiding is my all-time favorite, and I was out of my head before they even got there.

I was unable to get tickets for the NYC shows do this was the only one I attended. I don't recall being disappointed by the crowd.

I've been to about 25 shows, and I hate to say it, but this was the worst crowd I have ever been a part of. There was NO energy where I was sitting. It seemed to be better on the floor, but where I was it was just miserable.

I brought a buddy who had never seen PJ and I kept telling him he was going to be in for an experience of a lifetime. I spent most of the ride home apologizing for the crowd and explaining that it was not the norm for a PJ show.

I think I know why it was such a lame crowd. Several factors:

1) The weather was awful. Cold and rainy. Not your typical mid-May northeast weather.
2) There is no tailgate scene at Prudential Center. Less drunkenness equals less enthusiasm.
3) It was a Tuesday. Sometimes, those early weekday shows can be lame. Tuesday is probably worse than Monday. At least with a Monday show, you may have taken a long weekend to enjoy it.
4) It preceded MSG. It was simply an appetizer to the main event. Many people who attended were probably going to one or both of the MSG shows, so they did not get overly hyped for Newark.
5) While the setlist was good for the hardcore fan, I think the casual fan (like the friend I brought) was probably completely lost with all the rarities. It would have been hard to get excited about songs you have never heard.

Anyway, that's my assessment. I have thought a lot about this over the years because it was the only PJ show I have ever attended where I kind of wish I would have sat it out and saved the money and long drive.

Okay, that's a lie. I'm glad I went, but it does rank last of all time for me. But any PJ show is better than just about any other band out there.

flew down for that show. i couldn't have cared less for the less enthusiastic fans. thought it was a great show. had a great time. i only care whats going on on the stage. if people don't get it well they missed something. i go to shows for the music .

Had to dig this thread up. Listening to the Newark, NJ from 5-18-2010. Lovin the first three songs of set 1:
Of The Girl
Brain Of J.
Do The Evolution

Still one of my favorite shows -incredible versions of In Hiding & Immortality.

I was at this show as well as MSG 1 & 2. Came from Australia, I thought the crowd was into it where I was.
Never had assigned signed seating in Oz on the floor so having seated audience def takes away a lot of the energy but awesome setlist!

MSG just had the extra energy due entirely to it being MSG!!!!

Killer setlist, 5/17 was no slouch either