Pearl Jam turned my girl and I into concert "snobs"
crookedcross
Right Near Da Beach, Boiii Posts: 1,417
Background:
My girl and I go to a ton of shows, and it's been kind of our thing to do for six years now after leaving Hawaii. I first saw PJ in 2007 (Lolla Chicago), and my dumb-ass got too drunk to remember basically anything. Because of deployments and just not having the money to travel from Hawaii, I never got the chance to see them again until GCF after we moved to the East coast. It was our first PJ show together and we've been to six since.
What happened:
We went to a show last night and what I never thought could happen, finally happened... During the drive back I asked what she thought of the show. She said, "It was good, but I don't want to seem snobby... We've just been to so much great shows that it's a little difficult to be blown away by shows that's not like, for example, Pearl Jam." I said, "Holy shit! I was thinking the same thing". Pearl Jam has kind of made us a little bit harder to please when it comes to concerts. We went on and listed maybe Metallica, Rush, and Tool being in the rearviewmirror for second. Then we talked about how going to PJ shows is a whole experience from the moment you walk-up to the venue, maybe at the pre-party, the people you meet, old friends you see, the show itself, until the end of the shows. Besides the top-notch performance, the energy from the crowd is also significantly higher. For example, this past show in Boston... I jumped around like an idiot and had many you're-licking-Sydney's-air-guitar type moments from the movie "I Love You Man" with the group of guys and gals next to me who I didn't even know (what's up section B2, Row 1, seats 1 through 6?!). No I didn't lick anyone's air guitar, but you get my point. You just don't get that type of camaraderie at any other shows. Not the ones we've been to at least.
I'm going to say it is a good problem to have and I am thankful for the band and for you my fellow PJ fans for turning us into snobs! Ready for the next!
My girl and I go to a ton of shows, and it's been kind of our thing to do for six years now after leaving Hawaii. I first saw PJ in 2007 (Lolla Chicago), and my dumb-ass got too drunk to remember basically anything. Because of deployments and just not having the money to travel from Hawaii, I never got the chance to see them again until GCF after we moved to the East coast. It was our first PJ show together and we've been to six since.
What happened:
We went to a show last night and what I never thought could happen, finally happened... During the drive back I asked what she thought of the show. She said, "It was good, but I don't want to seem snobby... We've just been to so much great shows that it's a little difficult to be blown away by shows that's not like, for example, Pearl Jam." I said, "Holy shit! I was thinking the same thing". Pearl Jam has kind of made us a little bit harder to please when it comes to concerts. We went on and listed maybe Metallica, Rush, and Tool being in the rearviewmirror for second. Then we talked about how going to PJ shows is a whole experience from the moment you walk-up to the venue, maybe at the pre-party, the people you meet, old friends you see, the show itself, until the end of the shows. Besides the top-notch performance, the energy from the crowd is also significantly higher. For example, this past show in Boston... I jumped around like an idiot and had many you're-licking-Sydney's-air-guitar type moments from the movie "I Love You Man" with the group of guys and gals next to me who I didn't even know (what's up section B2, Row 1, seats 1 through 6?!). No I didn't lick anyone's air guitar, but you get my point. You just don't get that type of camaraderie at any other shows. Not the ones we've been to at least.
I'm going to say it is a good problem to have and I am thankful for the band and for you my fellow PJ fans for turning us into snobs! Ready for the next!
Post edited by crookedcross on
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Detroit 2000, Detroit 2003 1-2, Grand Rapids VFC 2004, Philly 2005, Grand Rapids 2006, Detroit 2006, Cleveland 2006, Lollapalooza 2007, Detroit Eddie Solo 2011, Detroit 2014, Chicago 2016 1-2, Chicago 2018 1-2, Ohana Encore 2021 1-2, Chicago Eddie/Earthlings 2022 1-2, Nashville 2022, St. Louis 2022
Detroit 2000, Detroit 2003 1-2, Grand Rapids VFC 2004, Philly 2005, Grand Rapids 2006, Detroit 2006, Cleveland 2006, Lollapalooza 2007, Detroit Eddie Solo 2011, Detroit 2014, Chicago 2016 1-2, Chicago 2018 1-2, Ohana Encore 2021 1-2, Chicago Eddie/Earthlings 2022 1-2, Nashville 2022, St. Louis 2022
kidding aside I know what you mean. But I also enjoy Cage the elephant, Muse, jack white and a few others. Cage and muse could get to PJ status if Muse toured more in the US and if Cage is given more time
Lincoln 2014
New York 2016
Seattle 2018
St Louis 2022
EV@ Innings Festival in AZ 2023
even if I look and act really crazy.
One thing I’ve figured out about myself is that emotional history with a band can also greatly impact enjoyment of a show. I love seeing a new band that’s still young and hungry and come away thinking it was a great show. However if I’ve only been listening to said band for 3 months, versus having listened to a band like PJ for 25+ years you just don’t have the same lifetime of memories with them I.E. you hear a song live that takes you back to a specific moment in your life. PJ, Neil Young, Prince, etc. all put on great shows in my opinion, but a big part of it has been and is my history of memories with those bands. Other bands who are somewhat more recent like an Alabama Shakes also put on a great show, but sometimes it doesn’t feel quite as epic based on personal exposure (and length of exposure) to the group.
All that said, little can beat the anticipation of seeing a group live for the first time.
Like for me going to see either the Black Crowes, CRB, or Magpie Salute. These would top a PJ experience for me. Maybe not you, but in my mind I’m there. The smells, the sites, and musicianship is top notch. The entire experience is a treat.
there really is no right or wrong answer (or band) If you dig it.
Detroit 2000, Detroit 2003 1-2, Grand Rapids VFC 2004, Philly 2005, Grand Rapids 2006, Detroit 2006, Cleveland 2006, Lollapalooza 2007, Detroit Eddie Solo 2011, Detroit 2014, Chicago 2016 1-2, Chicago 2018 1-2, Ohana Encore 2021 1-2, Chicago Eddie/Earthlings 2022 1-2, Nashville 2022, St. Louis 2022
Tool
Black Crowes
MMJ
Flaming Lips
The Mars Volta
Radiohead
Page/Plant
AC/DC
Petty
Dr. Dog
Them Crooked Vultures
Wilco
Jack White
All just as great as a PJ show, just different vibes.
Detroit 2000, Detroit 2003 1-2, Grand Rapids VFC 2004, Philly 2005, Grand Rapids 2006, Detroit 2006, Cleveland 2006, Lollapalooza 2007, Detroit Eddie Solo 2011, Detroit 2014, Chicago 2016 1-2, Chicago 2018 1-2, Ohana Encore 2021 1-2, Chicago Eddie/Earthlings 2022 1-2, Nashville 2022, St. Louis 2022