Some thoughts after this European tour….

southernmanfan · July 2022

I was not going to travel this year mainly because of the somewhat uncomfortable changed world that Covid has thrust upon us - and other factors as well. But London was within reach and I decided to do it even though I am not a fan of festivals and this was my first time seeing them at a festival instead of in concert.

Hyde Park was amazing. Quick Escape was my standout track from the two nights followed hot on it’s heels by Light Years. I walked around London with a perpetual smile on my face after Night 1.

These were my 17th and 18th shows. They sound as potent live as ever.

I think they will do Aus/NZ next year as the last full on tour there was Backspacer in 2009 (excluding the Big Day Out festivals they did after 2009).

Aus/NZ fans are overdue for a tour.

The last year has been a lesson for the band no doubt and I think they will be rethinking how often and where they tour going forward.

I am already thinking about travelling again in 2024 to see them if they tour even though long haul destination travelling can be very exhausting and expensive. But the satisfaction of seeing them live is always a magnet.

There will always be risks associated with travelling to see them but I think that will not deter those of us who will do anything to see them live.

To see them live whether you have seen them once or 100 times is always special. I took a friend to Hyde Park who does not know their music at all and who does not know the band. He was completely blown away. Keeps saying that they are on another level entirely.

I have this deep satisfaction for having seen them this tour and an even deeper satisfaction that my friend got to see them.

This band has given us all something truly special that only we as the fans understand and appreciate. I can understand why those who queue up two days before showtime do so. I understand as I am a fellow fan.

Thank you Pearl Jam. My life is no doubt fuller with your music.

PeArLgOoNeR · July 2022

Well put..!

They didn't save my life, but they sure made it so much better!

I always go with my brother and those trips give us memories to last a lifetime!

We also brought a first timer to the Denmark show, and to watch his face was such a cool experience..!

TinaE · July 2022

We saw them on this tour in Berlin and Frankfurt. In Berlin we also had our two boys with us (the 2nd Pearl Jam concert for both). Pearl Jam really made me forget all my worries and sadness (lost my parents and my favorite aunt last year). The positive energy that the band gave us, especially me and my severely disabled son, is indescribable. Now that I'm listening to the bootlegs of these two concerts these great memories are flooding back...I could cry with joy.

PeArLgOoNeR · July 2022

TinaE said:

We saw them on this tour in Berlin and Frankfurt. In Berlin we also had our two boys with us (the 2nd Pearl Jam concert for both). Pearl Jam really made me forget all my worries and sadness (lost my parents and my favorite aunt last year). The positive energy that the band gave us, especially me and my severely disabled son, is indescribable. Now that I'm listening to the bootlegs of these two concerts these great memories are flooding back...I could cry with joy.

Sorry for your loss!

TinaE · July 2022

PeArLgOoNeR said:

TinaE said:

We saw them on this tour in Berlin and Frankfurt. In Berlin we also had our two boys with us (the 2nd Pearl Jam concert for both). Pearl Jam really made me forget all my worries and sadness (lost my parents and my favorite aunt last year). The positive energy that the band gave us, especially me and my severely disabled son, is indescribable. Now that I'm listening to the bootlegs of these two concerts these great memories are flooding back...I could cry with joy.

Sorry for your loss!

Thank you

Chrisilein · July 2022

My only PJ concert this tour was Budapest..you all know what happened to the Vienna show. I can only tell you that one night with PJ had an healing effect which still holds on a little bit. As a branch manager of the biggest furniture house in Vienna.. With all this Corona shit (23 of my stuff tested positive in the last 3 weeks.. With heavy symptoms) and the situation in Europe, especially the increasing costs, delivery delays, war and not knowing what the future brings...i'm grateful und extremely proud that this is and will always be my favourite band. Only they can change a shitty day within a few minutes.. Just a single song.. It heals your soul.

southernmanfan · July 2022

PeArLgOoNeR said:

Well put..!

They didn't save my life, but they sure made it so much better!

I always go with my brother and those trips give us memories to last a lifetime!

We also brought a first timer to the Denmark show, and to watch his face was such a cool experience..!

Yeah my friend’s face had a glow too!

southernmanfan · July 2022

TinaE said:

We saw them on this tour in Berlin and Frankfurt. In Berlin we also had our two boys with us (the 2nd Pearl Jam concert for both). Pearl Jam really made me forget all my worries and sadness (lost my parents and my favorite aunt last year). The positive energy that the band gave us, especially me and my severely disabled son, is indescribable. Now that I'm listening to the bootlegs of these two concerts these great memories are flooding back...I could cry with joy.

So sorry to hear that and warming to hear the healing effect of the band. A tenclub hug to you.

southernmanfan · July 2022

Chrisilein said:

My only PJ concert this tour was Budapest..you all know what happened to the Vienna show. I can only tell you that one night with PJ had an healing effect which still holds on a little bit. As a branch manager of the biggest furniture house in Vienna.. With all this Corona shit (23 of my stuff tested positive in the last 3 weeks.. With heavy symptoms) and the situation in Europe, especially the increasing costs, delivery delays, war and not knowing what the future brings...i'm grateful und extremely proud that this is and will always be my favourite band. Only they can change a shitty day within a few minutes.. Just a single song.. It heals your soul.

Everything is just so unpredictable and volatile in these times that I too feel privileged that I managed to catch them on this tour.

TinaE · July 2022

southernmanfan said:

TinaE said:

We saw them on this tour in Berlin and Frankfurt. In Berlin we also had our two boys with us (the 2nd Pearl Jam concert for both). Pearl Jam really made me forget all my worries and sadness (lost my parents and my favorite aunt last year). The positive energy that the band gave us, especially me and my severely disabled son, is indescribable. Now that I'm listening to the bootlegs of these two concerts these great memories are flooding back...I could cry with joy.

So sorry to hear that and warming to hear the healing effect of the band. A tenclub hug to you.

Thank you so much.

guypjfreak · July 2022

Hyde Park was amazing and met some lovely people even though I was in disabled part I had a good sing off with another ten club member between the gap lol.. If it was you.. Hi..
Alot of bad vibes going to Mike for smashing HIS guitar.. Crack on Mike. I remember watching niel young doing it at Glastonbury lol.. I think Eddie losing his voice and all the covid rules etc etc I reckon this was a hard draining tour for them.
I just feel glad to have seen them again..
Thank you pj.

wnh1977 · July 2022

I look forward to being reinvigorated in a couple months when I see them in St. Louis. I've been thinking about Pearl Jam in the COVID era. I think they released a really solid album at the start of COVID, but they've had a lot of challenges over the past couple years.

The cancelled shows both in America and Europe are such a bummer... I can't imagine the frustration of the fans that waited so long, spent the money, and then got a notice of cancellation. Even the shows where they had the substitute drummers was, in my opinion, a bummer. Sure, it was unique, but you're not getting PJ at the height of their powers. Add on to that, Eddie not feeling well in Sacramanto, then losing his voice and having to cancel the shows this month. All these hiccups plus the negativity of the shorter shows and fewer songs had me questioning my excitement level for Pearl Jam in the modern day. I'm guessing seeing them live will change that.

One thing that I thought was awesome about these 2022 shows was Dave Krusen. So many people saying "this is how these songs should sound!" With Ten obviously being their most popular album, wouldn't it be cool if Dave just toured with them one year and they performed Ten in its entirety? You could open with an acoustic set of 5 or 6 songs with Matt... then go to the Ten/Krusen section of the show to finish the first set. Then have Matt return for a slammin' encore! Sign me up.

trees · July 2022

Chrisilein said:

My only PJ concert this tour was Budapest..you all know what happened to the Vienna show. I can only tell you that one night with PJ had an healing effect which still holds on a little bit. As a branch manager of the biggest furniture house in Vienna.. With all this Corona shit (23 of my stuff tested positive in the last 3 weeks.. With heavy symptoms) and the situation in Europe, especially the increasing costs, delivery delays, war and not knowing what the future brings...i'm grateful und extremely proud that this is and will always be my favourite band. Only they can change a shitty day within a few minutes.. Just a single song.. It heals your soul.

Well said .I feel the same

trees · July 2022

wnh1977 said:

I look forward to being reinvigorated in a couple months when I see them in St. Louis. I've been thinking about Pearl Jam in the COVID era. I think they released a really solid album at the start of COVID, but they've had a lot of challenges over the past couple years.

The cancelled shows both in America and Europe are such a bummer... I can't imagine the frustration of the fans that waited so long, spent the money, and then got a notice of cancellation. Even the shows where they had the substitute drummers was, in my opinion, a bummer. Sure, it was unique, but you're not getting PJ at the height of their powers. Add on to that, Eddie not feeling well in Sacramanto, then losing his voice and having to cancel the shows this month. All these hiccups plus the negativity of the shorter shows and fewer songs had me questioning my excitement level for Pearl Jam in the modern day. I'm guessing seeing them live will change that.

One thing that I thought was awesome about these 2022 shows was Dave Krusen. So many people saying "this is how these songs should sound!" With Ten obviously being their most popular album, wouldn't it be cool if Dave just toured with them one year and they performed Ten in its entirety? You could open with an acoustic set of 5 or 6 songs with Matt... then go to the Ten/Krusen section of the show to finish the first set. Then have Matt return for a slammin' encore! Sign me up.

I'm going to the St Louis Missouri show as well

RatherStarved · July 2022

wnh1977 said:

I look forward to being reinvigorated in a couple months when I see them in St. Louis. I've been thinking about Pearl Jam in the COVID era. I think they released a really solid album at the start of COVID, but they've had a lot of challenges over the past couple years.

The cancelled shows both in America and Europe are such a bummer... I can't imagine the frustration of the fans that waited so long, spent the money, and then got a notice of cancellation. Even the shows where they had the substitute drummers was, in my opinion, a bummer. Sure, it was unique, but you're not getting PJ at the height of their powers. Add on to that, Eddie not feeling well in Sacramanto, then losing his voice and having to cancel the shows this month. All these hiccups plus the negativity of the shorter shows and fewer songs had me questioning my excitement level for Pearl Jam in the modern day. I'm guessing seeing them live will change that.

One thing that I thought was awesome about these 2022 shows was Dave Krusen. So many people saying "this is how these songs should sound!" With Ten obviously being their most popular album, wouldn't it be cool if Dave just toured with them one year and they performed Ten in its entirety? You could open with an acoustic set of 5 or 6 songs with Matt... then go to the Ten/Krusen section of the show to finish the first set. Then have Matt return for a slammin' encore! Sign me up.

Krusen played Fresno only. He would have played Sacramento if it wasn’t cancelled. Fresno was the show where Ed wasn’t feeling well but performed. They played all but two songs from Ten at the Fresno show. Too bad nobody was there to hear it!

Seeing them live is as good as ever. Don’t listen to any of the negativity. Enjoy them whenever and wherever you can.

Armageddon · July 2022

Hi,

I look back with very positive feelings although last Sunday at the venue at 5pm I must admit it was the opposite. Besides that special mondaine show I Saw Frankfurt show that was a confirmation they still play on their highest level. Intense 2 hours that I loved and prefer on a 3 hour show any day. Quality for quantity.

still only real improvement would be playing less old stuff and more newer songs. I think Lightning bolt, present tense, in hiding, amongst the waves, unthought know, who ever said, insiders job, light years and grievance for obvious examples are on that same champions League-level. Live we experiened 20 years ago that corduroy and betterman are classics. And its Fantastic that mainstream crowds sing along with those songs just as intens as Ten classics. So can those! Is it true that europe gets more Ten era than the US.? I love those songs but wish the others get the attention they deserve.

thanks PJ see u next time

matt84 · July 2022

Hope Europe gets more shows next year. I only saw Hyde Park 1 and Amsterdam. Think there were only three Gigaton songs at Hyde Park and only one at the Amsterdam show. Would like to hear a few more next year. Both shows were great though. WMA was the highlight of Amsterdam. Gutted about Amsterdam 1, but at least we got a show the second night, especially when I had (and I think everyone else) completely written it off.

southernmanfan · July 2022

matt84 said:

Hope Europe gets more shows next year. I only saw Hyde Park 1 and Amsterdam. Think there were only three Gigaton songs at Hyde Park and only one at the Amsterdam show. Would like to hear a few more next year. Both shows were great though. WMA was the highlight of Amsterdam. Gutted about Amsterdam 1, but at least we got a show the second night, especially when I had (and I think everyone else) completely written it off.

There were four Gigation songs over the two nights at Hyde Park. Quick Escape, Retrograde, Dance of the Clairvoyants and River Cross.

I only did Hyde Park. They are as great as ever.

UKBgirl · July 2022

Thank you for posting this!

I was at both Hyde Park shows - my first PJ shows and I got to share that with my daughter (her first too) so it was an epic weekend on so many levels.

I hope it's not too long before they hit the UK again - travelling sadly isn't going to be on the cards for us and we are desperate to see them again!

Hopefully touring will be easier for all bands from next year - nearly every major band tour this year seems to have had issues at some point.

Some thoughts after this European tour….

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