Jeesh, some PJ fans are super jaded...

WEAPONX24 said:

The show was solid but the setlist didn't flow as well as previous shows I've seen. Not saying it was terrible, it just seemed different and more mellow then the other 13 times I've seen them. I'll be honest, being from Philly I am a bit spoiled. They always bring it in Philly. Rarities, covers, basic album songs...Never seen a bad show from them there. So hopefully Sunday they bring it and blow the doors off of Fenway!

Really? Cause they don't always bring it in Boston, Chicago, NY?? WTF do you think Philly is more special to PJ then those 3 cities, cause it's not!! Last time I checked Fenway and Wrigley are the only 2 stadium cities on this tour! Maybe Philly might've got one but, they don't have a shrine to play to, guess their not as special as you think! Rarities, Covers, Basic album tracks?? Ok...Rarities- Strangest Tribe 3rd time ever, All Those Yesterdays, Low Light=check, Covers-Is 7 enough? including a fucking amazing MOW and I've Got A Feeling=check, Basic Album Tracks(assume you mean not big hits)- Faithful, I Am Mine, Life Wasted, Grievance, SOLAT, Down=check...You are getting owned here if I say so myself! Btw I was at all 4 Spectrum shows and none of them were as special as last night!

I agree with the OP. When I learned there were no west coast shows this year which is where I live I decided to bite the bullet and go to super bowl of PJ concerts, MSG2. I bought tickets from stub hub, airfare, hotel etc and off I went with all my expectations. When I saw the awesome set list from night one my expectations shot through the roof. What I ended up getting on night 2 was not a set list to end all set lists. What I got was another great set list from a great band and another great performance! I didn't walk away thinking why didn't they play for 5 hours and play 14 of my white whale songs. After all I had come so far??? I didn't walk away thinking why did they play Just Breathe and Sleeping By Myself back to back as it killed all the momentum. Sheeeez people!

My feelings exactly about last night. I'm a bit spoiled with the philly shows so the mellow set list last night wasn't ideal but still awesome. Would love to go Sunday too...posted elsewhere if anyone wants to trade Sunday fenway tix for temple of the dog philly 2 let me know!

Don't know if you found anything but head down to Fenway early, ask about, check your phone for drops etc and I'm sure you'll find something.

vito said:

WEAPONX24 said:

The show was solid but the setlist didn't flow as well as previous shows I've seen. Not saying it was terrible, it just seemed different and more mellow then the other 13 times I've seen them. I'll be honest, being from Philly I am a bit spoiled. They always bring it in Philly. Rarities, covers, basic album songs...Never seen a bad show from them there. So hopefully Sunday they bring it and blow the doors off of Fenway!

Really? Cause they don't always bring it in Boston, Chicago, NY?? WTF do you think Philly is more special to PJ then those 3 cities, cause it's not!! Last time I checked Fenway and Wrigley are the only 2 stadium cities on this tour! Maybe Philly might've got one but, they don't have a shrine to play to, guess their not as special as you think! Rarities, Covers, Basic album tracks?? Ok...Rarities- Strangest Tribe 3rd time ever, All Those Yesterdays, Low Light=check, Covers-Is 7 enough? including a fucking amazing MOW and I've Got A Feeling=check, Basic Album Tracks(assume you mean not big hits)- Faithful, I Am Mine, Life Wasted, Grievance, SOLAT, Down=check...You are getting owned here if I say so myself! Btw I was at all 4 Spectrum shows and none of them were as special as last night!

What's funny is how pissed and offended you're getting over someone else's opinion. They were not as tight as they usually are night #1. It's not a slight or a knock, just an observation. That's what makes seeing live music interesting! I'm not saying they love Philly more or less then NYC, Chicago, or Boston or anywhere else for that matter. If you re read my post I said it was a solid show, just more mellow then what I've usually seen from them, and that I am fortunate to have seen the different setlist a they bring to the table when playing in Philly. I get it that you like to keep track of how many times you've seen each individual song. People have to have hobbies. As far as getting owned I hardly think that's the case. It's my opinion. I'm entitled to it just like you're entitled to yours. Congrats on going to all four spectrum shows.

Just because people have differing opinions doesn't mean they don't love and respect the band. What a boring world if everyone agreed on everything. And to be chastised for disagreeing is....well...figure that one out for yourselves.

I read these posts, comments and find it really interesting as I come from two very different perspectives. As a Pearl Jam fan and also as the person who runs Given To Live.

The PJ fan in me wants the best possible setlist for me and if I'm with friends who're aching to hear x and they get it I'm so happy for them. With shows 30/31 coming up for me I've had pretty much all the songs I'd have put on a PJ wishlist. I also feel like I was very spoiled with the shows I went to in 13/14. Does it get any better than Leeds? Berlin gave me Hold On which I love and never dreamed of hearing until that morning when I had a hunch.

For me, I prefer the energy of European crowds and also it's more packed which means the crowd takes some of the strain off my aging knees (I'd happily, and have done, queue for hours for the rail because yes, I love being close but also my knees love it!) but if I come to the US to see a show all I can be is grateful to be there. That's a privilege, not a given. Traveling to a show is a gift. Sometimes it's worth remembering that not everyone can. But if we can, that gift is huge. Music we love, a fan community that few other bands have, varied setlists, great merch that it's our choice to buy or stand in line for.

My other perspective is the Given To Live perspective. I started GTL for many reasons and high up on the list of reasons was knowing that there are so many people who can never get to a show. Ever. So many more can't without the help of a carer, support worker. And if we think it's hard getting tix imagine if you need an ADA/accessible ticket when often there's barely 100 spaces in the building and then usually you'll only be able to get a pair so you can't go with your friends, a family can't go together simply because someone is different. And don't start me on seeing ADA tix on stubhub etc! Next weekend GTL is taking people to two different shows. Neil to Boomtown, Warren to Bloodstock. Neither would be able to go without GTL's help.

I'm blessed to be able to go to shows I want to. With my history I'm lucky to be alive and luckier still to have good health overall. Even so, I know I'll still have expectations and want songs x,y and z at Wrigley and my 'perfect' poster.

I also know that even though GTL is small and doesn't have sponsors or huge donors I'm blessed to be doing this work. I also know Warren and Neil won't be worrying about the energy of the crowd, the merch lines, the setlist. Warren has a mental health diagnosis and has been in care, hospital or supported living for over half his life, he'll be 28 on 16/8 and we're making sure his day at Blodstock on 14th is his birthday day and he's going to be spoiled rotten. Neil is 44 and got diagnosed with inoperable cancer in May and given 12 months to live. He had one wish

Cheers, Tom. Thanks (as always) for your eloquence and your efforts.

Both make a difference, have an effect.

IamTom said:

I read these posts, comments and find it really interesting as I come from two very different perspectives. As a Pearl Jam fan and also as the person who runs Given To Live.

The PJ fan in me wants the best possible setlist for me and if I'm with friends who're aching to hear x and they get it I'm so happy for them. With shows 30/31 coming up for me I've had pretty much all the songs I'd have put on a PJ wishlist. I also feel like I was very spoiled with the shows I went to in 13/14. Does it get any better than Leeds? Berlin gave me Hold On which I love and never dreamed of hearing until that morning when I had a hunch.

For me, I prefer the energy of European crowds and also it's more packed which means the crowd takes some of the strain off my aging knees (I'd happily, and have done, queue for hours for the rail because yes, I love being close but also my knees love it!) but if I come to the US to see a show all I can be is grateful to be there. That's a privilege, not a given. Traveling to a show is a gift. Sometimes it's worth remembering that not everyone can. But if we can, that gift is huge. Music we love, a fan community that few other bands have, varied setlists, great merch that it's our choice to buy or stand in line for.

My other perspective is the Given To Live perspective. I started GTL for many reasons and high up on the list of reasons was knowing that there are so many people who can never get to a show. Ever. So many more can't without the help of a carer, support worker. And if we think it's hard getting tix imagine if you need an ADA/accessible ticket when often there's barely 100 spaces in the building and then usually you'll only be able to get a pair so you can't go with your friends, a family can't go together simply because someone is different. And don't start me on seeing ADA tix on stubhub etc! Next weekend GTL is taking people to two different shows. Neil to Boomtown, Warren to Bloodstock. Neither would be able to go without GTL's help.

I'm blessed to be able to go to shows I want to. With my history I'm lucky to be alive and luckier still to have good health overall. Even so, I know I'll still have expectations and want songs x,y and z at Wrigley and my 'perfect' poster.

I also know that even though GTL is small and doesn't have sponsors or huge donors I'm blessed to be doing this work. I also know Warren and Neil won't be worrying about the energy of the crowd, the merch lines, the setlist. Warren has a mental health diagnosis and has been in care, hospital or supported living for over half his life, he'll be 28 on 16/8 and we're making sure his day at Blodstock on 14th is his birthday day and he's going to be spoiled rotten. Neil is 44 and got diagnosed with inoperable cancer in May and given 12 months to live. He had one wish

perspective

great post