What's next?

slightofjeff said:

I had a lot of thoughts, talking with my touring buddies after Monday nights show, about how much longer we'll still be able to do this sort of thing with this band. How much more life does this band have left?

Obviously, the recent shows have been on fire. I can say -- honesty, no bullshitting -- this is the best I've seen them play. They don't seem like a bunch of 50-year-old dudes up there.

But they are.

I've been thinking a lot about: what is Pearl Jam going to look like 10 years from now? What about after that? Do we have a shot at PJ45? These shows, probably more than any other, have made me really realize that our days with this band are numbered. We just don't know the number.

The model here, I suppose, is Bruce. Dude is in his mid-60s and still putting out marathon, high-energy shows the likes of which we saw from Pearl Jam in the ballpark series. However, I don't think Bruce's songs require the kind of vocal stamina that does much of Pearl Jam's catalog. I thought Ed pulled off an incredibly plausible version of Blood at Wrigley. Will he still be able to do that at 65? Are those kind of songs going to go away at some point, just out of necessity? Will they start doing some mellower, acoustic-type tours?

What have other aging hard rock acts done as they've entered their 60s? Ed could probably still play his solo shows for as long as he is alive. What about the rest of the guys?

I just hope they keep playing these kind of shows while they are still able. I hope they have something scheduled, even if it's just 12 to 15 dates, every year from now until eternity. We need to be able to enjoy these guys for as long as we can. Pearl Jam is probably the longest long-term relationship I've ever had, aside from family. I'm not ready for Pearl Jam to be out of my life anytime soon.

They don't have an overly rigorous touring schedule. They played 25 shows this year and 10 the year before. If they kept it up around 25 shows a year (even split into two short tours) that certainly seems plausible. There are plenty of older rock bands that still tour in later years, although some become simply a shadow of themselves, which pretty much sucks and is counterproductive. Even bands like The Who, Paul Mccartney, Rolling Stones - I'd rather not see PJ become like that. Yes, they still put on good shows, but they are basically cookie cutter shows and playing the exact same show every night - you only really need to see them once every couple of years.

Part of the greatness of PJ is that they do change it up, and every show is worth hearing. But there are other examples like the Grateful Dead guys that do a tour or two a year, change there setlist up each night, and by all accounts still play great shows. That is the model I'd more like to see them follow. I mean in 10 years from now Blood and Leash might not have the same energy level as they do now, but I can easily see them still putting on great shows.

No love for the west coast, eh?

JojoRice said:

What's next??

College football!!! Go Dawgs!!

Go Gators! Leg Humpers!!

A bunch of shows in Cleveland once when they are announced as a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

Hey, a kid can dream, can't he?

Would loooove to see them on the West Coast

I'd also love another EV solo tour. And a new DVD!

Would really love a new album. I wish they weren't so far and few between.

Spring West Coast tour (including Vegas) surrounding Coachella Dates

just hoping for a decent run in europe and a return to the Leeds arena. Two night stay this time .....i know its more likely going to be london but a man can dream right? Leeds arena kicks the ass of the 02. There isnt currently an arena in the uk that can compare to it

hard to believe its been 3 years to be honest

i cant wait to see them back out here

I would love to see them back in Europe next year, and I hope that seeing so many other artists playing over here has reassured them about the safety concerns.
Maybe a London date (yes I am biased but it is still six hours from me) followed by mid/southern Germany, Italy, Croatia, Spain etc would be good. If it has to be festivals then so be it, but it would be great to see them mix them with some of their own shows or do festivals such as Pukkelpop in Belgium rather than Rock Werchter.