*** Mansfield 1 Fanviews Here 6/28/2008 ***

yield5 wrote:

Hello all

I was at the show. As far as crowd energy, it was by far the best of any show I have been too. I have been to 15 shows now, including Carolina this tour and they continue to raise the bar. They ended right at 11, which was a surprise. Ed's pre-set was super. Can't wait until Monday. Also, I had good seats. I am 184XXX and was in section 1, row aa. They were much closer than I expected.

Wish i had your seats, I was sitting in the second row of uncovered pavillion seats and it was the dullest crowd I have EVER seen in my life. I was disgusted at how awful the crowd was out there. People were getting annoyed that I was belting out every song, The Hartford lawn crowd DESTROYED this lame ass Mansfield crowd. And after going to Hartford, I cant help but feel let down w this set but damn thankful that I saw the boys last night

Just got back from the bar.

Good show and I had some pretty awesome seats (about 10 rows back in Section 3).

I didn't go to Hartford but I went to DC. I have to say, from the two shows I saw they are really kicking my ass. I mean, they are playing a lot of songs that rock. It may not be your rarities that everyone loves but Why Go, Hail Hail, Comatose, Corduroy, I Got Shit, Even Flow, Do The Evolution, Once, RVM (these last four to end the main set!) and then play State of Love and Trust and Alive (and I guess they omitted Porch due to time). I mean these are great songs to rock to. Sure, they aren't head turners like Smile but they really are awesome to hear in concert. So thanks for bringing it, Pearl Jam.

The Betterman thing has been commented on but I must mention it again. It truly was special. Ed started out singing the song but let the crowd take over the first verse and chorus. Before he was about to sing "Oooh, Oooh, Oooh" the crowd was clapping and cheering so loudly he backed away. Apparently, this provoked the crowed into clapping and cheering EVEN LONGER. There were several times Ed tried to get in and just backed away. He smiled at first and then it continued and he laughed later. Finally he just interrupted the clapping and cheering and sang the part. I honestly think that without the curfew he would have let the clapping and cheering go on and on. I think he realized that he needed to get the song done.

I want to emphasize that people are not exaggerating this Betterman thing. I would like to point out that I bet it was somewhere around a minute and a half to two minutes of actually clapping and cheering in the middle of the song. At one point I thought they were just going to bag the song. Not to mention that it had the Save It For Later tag that I wanted to hear. You honestly have to listen to this version of it. I cannot wait for the boot.

In addition, I got to hear Faithfull and Love Reign O'er Me for the first time and both were awesome. I really dig Low Light and I love Down. I think Down is a great tune that you're guaranteed to hear it in Boston since one of the lines is based off of a Howard Zinn's, a professor at MIT, book. Ed mentioned that. I'm sad that they didn't play Porch as that is my favorite song. I really like RVM but if I had a choice to end the first set, it would be Porch any day. I didn't hear it at DC either so I hope they play it on Monday.

Ed mentioned that we lost a lot of great thinkers recently - Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., George Carlin and Tim Russert - and how we need to replace them. Later he also pointed out how there was an Army Recruitment booth inside the venue and he thought it was odd. He said something like, "I can tell you all didn't sign up because you're still here." He was glad people didn't sign up due to how this Administration is running the war.

Before Ed played No More, Matt got on the drums and then Ed told him to get down and Ed played a little drums (just kind of hitting them) with a cigarette in his mouth. Then he jumped down and told the story behind No More and sang that.

They did stop promptly at 11pm. That was for sure. It was right after Alive. You can tell the band was aware of the curfew. The break between the first and second encores was very slim.

It was my first time at Great Woods and I have to say that it was a pretty cool venue. There a two problems a. early curfew b. parking. I guess I was lucky by being able to get out of the parking lot with poster at midnight.

See you Monday.

Hartford, the band was more off the cuff, and jammed a lot more during solos. They also had more energy than Mansfield 1. But tonight the energy from the crowd was through the roof!

I've seen so many shows at this venue (It will always be Great Woods), but I have never heard a louder crowd! Betterman was amazing for that reason.

The song selection was really good but I think Hartford's was better. The band was spot on all night, and in general, they seemed like they were having a good time!

I'm thinking Monday they will break curfew. It's the last night of the tour, they'll have some rest, and they'll purposely try too piss off the management at The Comcast Center!

redmos wrote:

Amen. This is generally the worst song they play each night. I don't know why people cheer for this. This is definitely the worst song in the PJ catalog

What the hell are you talking about?

OK, here's mine.

First of all, this crowd blew the Hartford crowd away. The fact that we wouldn't let Eddie continue Better Man says it all. I've listened to hundreds of boots and I have never heard anything like that. The cheering is one thing, but he tried to start the next verse and the crowd just got louder and louder and then started banging on the chairs and he had to stop. He was in total awe. It was amazing!! I got goosebumps all over.

But Hartford was the better show. Period. Better set.

Back to tonight. I love this venue. It is beautiful. 1000X times better than that Hartford shed. The staff was very friendly. No issues with the line. I loved the trees and the rocks and the wood stairs and all of that. But the parking lot was ridiculous. You guys warned me and you were right. Over 2 hours to get out of there. I think I am still there. Holy shit! I am so happy I bought the premier pass on Monday.

Anyway. I can't believe I saw Foxy Mop and Evil Closet Monkey backstage for the whole show!!! You guys totally deserve it for all the great work you do. See you Monday.

I got to cross two more songs off my list: Faithfull (FINALLY!!!) and Once (I can't believe I haven't heard that yet). Given to Fly - they could play this song at every show and I would be happy. I think it is their signiture song. Always amazing live.

This weekend has been incredible. Thanks so much to everyone. Love you Ursala and Mike - be safe on the way home.

Sightseeing tomorrow. Show Monday. I don't want to go home yet. Praying for the lottery on Monday.

brainofjb wrote:

oh and best crowd tonight for sure!

i cant wait for MOnday!!!

What other shows have you been to on this tour?

iamsampj wrote:

holy crap...how exciting for you!!! i'm crying just reading about your experience...but i'm a sap

i'm glad that you had such a great time!!

I'm really enjoying reading everyone's experiences. I had a new one of my own tonight. I was sitting pretty close to the stage way off on the side, but during the guitar solo of "Even Flow" I was able to run up to the front of the stage and caught Eddie right there. I was wearing a shirt I got made that said "I'm In Hiding" (In Hiding is my fav song). He acknowledged the shirt and then extended his arm out to shake my hand. We held hands briefly then i walked back up to my seat. This was the most freaking cool moment of my PJ fan life. I've been to over 20 shows, but having had the opportunity to look him in the eye and hold his hand was phenomenal!!!

intothejam wrote:

I am curious, as to why Ed was pissed of. He threw the bottle of wine at the backdrop then ripped that thing off infront of the stage.

I didn't exactly see, but it appeared like maybe the roadie spilled it by mistake last time he was out there. Not 100% sure but that's what it looked like.

heres a link for the review of the show
http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view.bg?articleid=1103923

ok..long time PJ Boston addict here..

my take..

good show with some great moments..

hartford was great show with some great moments..

some problems:

Mikey seem to have guitar problems most of the night.. he was playing the notes but not registering on the speakers...he got very frantic on the evenflow solo, shortening his over the head part and almost praying for the speaker feedback to kick in.. went mental at one point strumming his ass off despite a lack of feedback (no problems with this in hartford)
no worries, this will be set right by monday.

Ed had all sorts of technicl issues as well. Seemed to want to slow the band down during small town (kept poitning back to stone and Matt)

the BIG fiasco was BLACK.. Ed's stage monitor had issues (??) and he kept pointing for his roadie to come out, even stoped singing early on.. finally he went over and picked up then monitr / speaker and slammed it on the stage..
finally the roadie figured this out a sheepishly scurries onto the stage but Eddie waved him off (boy was he pissed!)

the Betterman ovation seemed to be the crowd's way of saying "no worries Eddie, we are with you 100 percent"

but I have to state it seemed that Ed was holding back alot of "great to be in Boston" comments until the Monday show...

Highlights:
throw your arms pre-set! glad i got there early, hope someone recrded it, it was shear perfection..
love reign over me ...holy god that song live is epic
hard to imagine..my first!
off he goes.. just perfect
once.. this was the power punch of the night, everybody on their feet screaming
no more: great sing along very emotional..

got to share my seats with BostonLou for the whole night so that was an honor as well...

i expect great things will happend monday.. that's a prediction..