SHN - as others mentioned this is a honorable mention due to representing a return to normalcy post coivd hysteria. It always really cool for that effect alone
I will however fondly remember 10/2/21 when Hawkins, Smith, Cameron were all smashing 1 drum kit during ritfw. As it turns out... looking back.... what a moment.
9/11 NYC was one of the most emotional/powerful shows ever.
Setlists can't compete with anything from 2003 to 2018 though. Without the epic sets they can't be all timers.
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on2legs
Standing in the Jersey rain… Posts: 14,616
SHN - as others mentioned this is a honorable mention due to representing a return to normalcy post coivd hysteria. It always really cool for that effect alone
I will however fondly remember 10/2/21 when Hawkins, Smith, Cameron were all smashing 1 drum kit during ritfw. As it turns out... looking back.... what a moment.
9/11 NYC was one of the most emotional/powerful shows ever.
Setlists can't compete with anything from 2003 to 2018 though. Without the epic sets they can't be all timers.
The majority of Pearl Jam shows have set list lengths shorter than what we got from 2013-2018 and there are dozens of epic shows from outside that time frame. In fact most epic shows were not from 2013-2018.
1996: Randall's Island 2 1998: East Rutherford | MSG 1 & 2 2000: Cincinnati | Columbus | Jones Beach 1, 2, & 3 | Boston 1 | Camden 1 & 2 2003: Philadelphia | Uniondale | MSG 1 & 2 | Holmdel 2005: Atlantic City 1 2006: Camden 1 | East Rutherford 1 & 2 2008: Camden 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Newark (EV) 2009: Philadelphia 1, 2 & 4 2010: Newark | MSG 1 & 2 2011: Toronto 1 2013: Wrigley Field | Brooklyn 2 | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore 2015: Central Park 2016: Philadelphia 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Fenway Park 2 | MSG (TOTD) 2017: Brooklyn (RnR HOF) 2020: MSG | Asbury Park2021: Asbury Park 2022: MSG | Camden | Nashville 2024: MSG 1 & 2 (#50) | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore
I am biased because the SAD dedication pushed st louis to amazing status and the solat into breath felt like heaven. That crowd was also incredible.i also was 2nd row by Mike so all those made it just off the charts for me.
I’ve only been to one and it was Camden 22. I thought it was good, but definitely not an all timer.
Ive seen some Pearl Jam concerts that get thrown around a bit when people talk about legendary shows…a few msg, 2009 spectrum shows (probably the most overrated shows in Pearl Jam history), Philly 05 to name a few…but I honestly think the best I’ve seen them play might have been Cincinnati in 2006 which almost no one would mention as an all timer.
I think there are a lot of shows like that. Under the radar cities, relatively ordinary setlists, but the band is just on fire and no one ever knows or talks about how great they were except the people who were there.
Love the love for Hartford '08. My favorite show for a long, long time🙌
PJ - 09/23/98: West Palm Beach II, 08/12/00: Tampa, 04/12/03: Orlando, 04/13/03: Tampa, 06/12/08: Tampa, 06/27/08: Hartford, 09/22/09: Seattle II, 04/11/16: Tampa, 05/01 &05/02/16: MSG I & II, 09/18/21: Sea Hear Now, 10/01& 10/02/21: Ohana Encore I & II, 05/06 & 05/07/22: Los Angeles I & II, 09/11/22: MSG, 09/16/22: Nashville, 09/02/23: St. Paul II, 09/07/23: Chicago II, 09/18& 09/19/23: Austin I & II, 05/16& 05/18/24: Las Vegas I & II. Michael Jordan's #!
EV - 08/04 & 08/05/08: (Eddie solo, w/Liam Finn) NYC I & II, 11/27 & 11/28/12: (Eddie solo, w/Glen Hansard) Orlando I & II, 02/09 & 02/10/22: (Eddie & the Earthlings) Chicago I & II, 09/30/23: (Eddie & the Earthlings) Ohana Festival
Song Wishlist: Oceans, Brother, Alone, Let Me Sleep, full W.M.A., Hold On, all of Vitalogy or Satan's Bed, Gremmie Out Of Control, Mankind, Around The Bend (full band), Don't Gimme No Lip, Pilate, Push Me Pull Me, All Those Yesterdays, Rival, Parting Ways (full band), You Are (thank you, Vegas!), Bu$hleaguer, Inside Job (Vegas!), low octave Driftin', Strangest Tribe, Other Side, Undone, Of The Earth, Love Reign O'er Me, Comfortably Numb, and the Mamasan Trilogy.
Wanted Posters: WPB '98, Tampa/WPB '00, Tampa '03, EV Batmobile '08 ISO: any picks, or setlists from any of my shows!
Setlists can't compete with anything from 2003 to 2018 though. Without the epic sets they can't be all timers.
I think you’re probably right that none of them have been all timers, but I think it has more to do with Ed being almost 60 years old and just not being able to perform like he used to. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still amazing at what he does, and as good as any other 50 something year old rock singer out there, but it is what it is. The band is as good as they’ve ever been, but it’s different for the frontman.
That said, I completely disagree with the setlist reasoning. Every ‘epic’ setlist I’ve seen from their marathon era (after 2006) has included enough vibe killing material that they could’ve improved the show by playing less. I know most people would disagree with me, but longer shows aren’t always better.
2003-2006 I’ll give you that…there were some long ones in that period that were pretty great from start to finish.
Sea Hear Now - the sound of a band learning how to be a band again. The catharsis outweighed any technical issues.
Ohana Encore N2 - they finally found their groove again, and that last RITFW with Taylor, Matt, and Chad all playing drums? Legendary.
LA N1 '22 - a sort of sequel to Encore, and what a night. I still remember rushing to the floor to the opening beat of "Of the Girl"
MSG '22 - nothing fancy, just pure energy & love. PJ at MSG = church.
Nashville '22 - the band just having FUN. If you're a Mike guy, this was the show for you.
Austin N2 '23 - a short, but sweet tour. This was the last show before DM, and they pulled out all the stops.
Las Vegas N1 '24 - MIKE, MIKE, MIKE. A hint of things to come.
PJ - 09/23/98: West Palm Beach II, 08/12/00: Tampa, 04/12/03: Orlando, 04/13/03: Tampa, 06/12/08: Tampa, 06/27/08: Hartford, 09/22/09: Seattle II, 04/11/16: Tampa, 05/01 &05/02/16: MSG I & II, 09/18/21: Sea Hear Now, 10/01& 10/02/21: Ohana Encore I & II, 05/06 & 05/07/22: Los Angeles I & II, 09/11/22: MSG, 09/16/22: Nashville, 09/02/23: St. Paul II, 09/07/23: Chicago II, 09/18& 09/19/23: Austin I & II, 05/16& 05/18/24: Las Vegas I & II. Michael Jordan's #!
EV - 08/04 & 08/05/08: (Eddie solo, w/Liam Finn) NYC I & II, 11/27 & 11/28/12: (Eddie solo, w/Glen Hansard) Orlando I & II, 02/09 & 02/10/22: (Eddie & the Earthlings) Chicago I & II, 09/30/23: (Eddie & the Earthlings) Ohana Festival
Song Wishlist: Oceans, Brother, Alone, Let Me Sleep, full W.M.A., Hold On, all of Vitalogy or Satan's Bed, Gremmie Out Of Control, Mankind, Around The Bend (full band), Don't Gimme No Lip, Pilate, Push Me Pull Me, All Those Yesterdays, Rival, Parting Ways (full band), You Are (thank you, Vegas!), Bu$hleaguer, Inside Job (Vegas!), low octave Driftin', Strangest Tribe, Other Side, Undone, Of The Earth, Love Reign O'er Me, Comfortably Numb, and the Mamasan Trilogy.
Wanted Posters: WPB '98, Tampa/WPB '00, Tampa '03, EV Batmobile '08 ISO: any picks, or setlists from any of my shows!
SHN - as others mentioned this is a honorable mention due to representing a return to normalcy post coivd hysteria. It always really cool for that effect alone
I will however fondly remember 10/2/21 when Hawkins, Smith, Cameron were all smashing 1 drum kit during ritfw. As it turns out... looking back.... what a moment.
9/11 NYC was one of the most emotional/powerful shows ever.
Setlists can't compete with anything from 2003 to 2018 though. Without the epic sets they can't be all timers.
The majority of Pearl Jam shows have set list lengths shorter than what we got from 2013-2018 and there are dozens of epic shows from outside that time frame. In fact most epic shows were not from 2013-2018.
You nailed it. Set length does not equal epic show. Hell most 98 shows were under two hours and they absolutely smoke anything from the last 15 years (if not longer). Excluding the first few years of the band when they were young and a totally different beast I’d say 98-2006 is the peak modern era version of the band. The playing was incredible, Ed’s voice was still top notch, they still did some improv at shows and setlists were less predictable with songs appearing anywhere. 2013-2014 was a lot of fun with the longer sets being introduced but the encore because formulaic and stale quick and hearing Sirens and Just Breathe every night was a bummer. I had a lot of fun those years, but the band was last its prime at that point. Shows now are just a fun night out and that’s ok- we’re lucky these guys are still doing it and I hope we get a few more years of it!
"What can you expect when you're on top? You know? It's like Napoleon. When he was the king, you know, people were just constantly trying to conquer him, you know, in the Roman Empire. So, it's history repeating itself all over again."
I think “standouts” is watering down what I’m looking for here. I mean shows that blew you away, whatever criteria that might be. I was at San Diego, LA x2, and St Louis in 2022…I thought they were just average shows in my opinion. Crowd was brutal in Cali. Austin 2 2023 and Seattle 2024 were fucking fantastic, but didn’t crack my personal “all-time” list I’m talking about.
I’m looking for you walking out of the venue, thinking to yourself “That could have been the best show I’ve seen, or close to it”. I definitely felt that way with my 5.
When I said "standouts," I meant that those shows stand out among the 80 Pearl Jam shows I've seen. I don't generally think in the kind of hyperbolic terms you quote yourself thinking, but I did indeed say something to that effect walking out of L.A. 1 in May, and referring to the two L.A. shows together this year as about as good as a two-night run gets. Then again, I really don't spend a lot of time thinking about how shows from 20 or 25 years ago compare to shows from last month. The past is over. I just try to enjoy what I'm experiencing in the present tense and, generally, with Pearl Jam, I always do. There are not many things I'd rather be doing than seeing Pearl Jam.
With respect to the crowds supposedly being brutal, I don't usually pay much attention to the crowd. My enjoyment is not contingent on strangers' enjoyment.
None of them have been all-timers but, of the 3 I've been to Chicago 2 was pretty damn close...5 more choice songs🤔 and I don't expect either Wrigley show to approach that status if they even take place😔🙏🤞
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 1992 SUMMERFEST MILWAUKEE 1995 ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 1998 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO1998 THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA KNOXVILLE 1998 ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2000 ALLSTATE ARENA ROSEMONT 2000 ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2003 HERSHEYPARK STADIUM 2003 TOLEDO SPORTS ARENA 2004 AIR CANADA CENTRE TORONTO 2005 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006 VERIZON CENTER DC 2008 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2009 NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS 2010 PJ20 NIGHT 1 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011 PJ20 NIGHT 2 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011 1ST MARINER ARENA BALTIMORE 2013 IWIRELESS CENTER MOLINE 2014 XCEL ENERGY CENTER ST. PAUL 2014 CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2016 CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2016 CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2018 CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2018 BOSTON 2 Fenway Park 2018 ENTERPRISE CENTER SAINT LOUIS 2022 Eddie Vedder Auditorium Theatre CHICAGO 2008
None of them have been all-timers but, of the 3 I've been to Chicago 2 was pretty damn close...5 more choice songs🤔 and I don't expect either Wrigley show to approach that status if they even take place😔🙏🤞
I think this is where I’m leaning. I was also at Chicago 2 and it’s that tier right below the legendary or “epic shows”. Of the shows I’ve seen:
None of them have been all-timers but, of the 3 I've been to Chicago 2 was pretty damn close...5 more choice songs🤔 and I don't expect either Wrigley show to approach that status if they even take place😔🙏🤞
I think this is where I’m leaning. I was also at Chicago 2 and it’s that tier right below the legendary or “epic shows”. Of the shows I’ve seen:
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 1992 SUMMERFEST MILWAUKEE 1995 ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 1998 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO1998 THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA KNOXVILLE 1998 ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2000 ALLSTATE ARENA ROSEMONT 2000 ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2003 HERSHEYPARK STADIUM 2003 TOLEDO SPORTS ARENA 2004 AIR CANADA CENTRE TORONTO 2005 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006 VERIZON CENTER DC 2008 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2009 NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS 2010 PJ20 NIGHT 1 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011 PJ20 NIGHT 2 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011 1ST MARINER ARENA BALTIMORE 2013 IWIRELESS CENTER MOLINE 2014 XCEL ENERGY CENTER ST. PAUL 2014 CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2016 CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2016 CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2018 CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2018 BOSTON 2 Fenway Park 2018 ENTERPRISE CENTER SAINT LOUIS 2022 Eddie Vedder Auditorium Theatre CHICAGO 2008
Of the 7 shows I've seen since Covid, Portland 2024 has cracked the top 5 but mostly because of the experience. It was my birthday, I was able to upgrade to GA, met the most awesome people in the Merch line and in GA, got a tambourine and a happy birthday from Eddie. The setlist was also my favourite out of the 5 shows I've seen so far this year this year.
Comments
Went to 13 shows.
SHN - as others mentioned this is a honorable mention due to representing a return to normalcy post coivd hysteria. It always really cool for that effect alone
I will however fondly remember 10/2/21 when Hawkins, Smith, Cameron were all smashing 1 drum kit during ritfw. As it turns out... looking back.... what a moment.
9/11 NYC was one of the most emotional/powerful shows ever.
Setlists can't compete with anything from 2003 to 2018 though. Without the epic sets they can't be all timers.
Ive seen some Pearl Jam concerts that get thrown around a bit when people talk about legendary shows…a few msg, 2009 spectrum shows (probably the most overrated shows in Pearl Jam history), Philly 05 to name a few…but I honestly think the best I’ve seen them play might have been Cincinnati in 2006 which almost no one would mention as an all timer.
Love the love for Hartford '08. My favorite show for a long, long time🙌
Song Wishlist: Oceans, Brother, Alone, Let Me Sleep, full W.M.A., Hold On, all of Vitalogy or Satan's Bed, Gremmie Out Of Control, Mankind, Around The Bend (full band), Don't Gimme No Lip, Pilate, Push Me Pull Me, All Those Yesterdays, Rival, Parting Ways (full band), You Are (thank you, Vegas!), Bu$hleaguer, Inside Job (Vegas!), low octave Driftin', Strangest Tribe, Other Side, Undone, Of The Earth, Love Reign O'er Me, Comfortably Numb, and the Mamasan Trilogy.
That said, I completely disagree with the setlist reasoning. Every ‘epic’ setlist I’ve seen from their marathon era (after 2006) has included enough vibe killing material that they could’ve improved the show by playing less. I know most people would disagree with me, but longer shows aren’t always better.
2003-2006 I’ll give you that…there were some long ones in that period that were pretty great from start to finish.
Sea Hear Now - the sound of a band learning how to be a band again. The catharsis outweighed any technical issues.
Ohana Encore N2 - they finally found their groove again, and that last RITFW with Taylor, Matt, and Chad all playing drums? Legendary.
LA N1 '22 - a sort of sequel to Encore, and what a night. I still remember rushing to the floor to the opening beat of "Of the Girl"
MSG '22 - nothing fancy, just pure energy & love. PJ at MSG = church.
Nashville '22 - the band just having FUN. If you're a Mike guy, this was the show for you.
Austin N2 '23 - a short, but sweet tour. This was the last show before DM, and they pulled out all the stops.
Las Vegas N1 '24 - MIKE, MIKE, MIKE. A hint of things to come.
Song Wishlist: Oceans, Brother, Alone, Let Me Sleep, full W.M.A., Hold On, all of Vitalogy or Satan's Bed, Gremmie Out Of Control, Mankind, Around The Bend (full band), Don't Gimme No Lip, Pilate, Push Me Pull Me, All Those Yesterdays, Rival, Parting Ways (full band), You Are (thank you, Vegas!), Bu$hleaguer, Inside Job (Vegas!), low octave Driftin', Strangest Tribe, Other Side, Undone, Of The Earth, Love Reign O'er Me, Comfortably Numb, and the Mamasan Trilogy.
With respect to the crowds supposedly being brutal, I don't usually pay much attention to the crowd. My enjoyment is not contingent on strangers' enjoyment.
Camden 22
apollo 22
msg 22
austin 2 23
my top 5
SUMMERFEST MILWAUKEE 1995
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 1998
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO1998
THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA KNOXVILLE 1998
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2000
ALLSTATE ARENA ROSEMONT 2000
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2003
HERSHEYPARK STADIUM 2003
TOLEDO SPORTS ARENA 2004
AIR CANADA CENTRE TORONTO 2005
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006
VERIZON CENTER DC 2008
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2009
NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS 2010
PJ20 NIGHT 1 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011
PJ20 NIGHT 2 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011
1ST MARINER ARENA BALTIMORE 2013
IWIRELESS CENTER MOLINE 2014
XCEL ENERGY CENTER ST. PAUL 2014
CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2016
CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2016
CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2018
CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2018
BOSTON 2 Fenway Park 2018
ENTERPRISE CENTER SAINT LOUIS 2022
Eddie Vedder Auditorium Theatre CHICAGO 2008
Tier 1: MSG 2 2010, Gorge 2005, Krakow 2018, MSG 1 + 2 2003, and Philly 3 2009
Tier 2: LV 1 2024, Chicago 2 2023, FW 2 2023, Camden ‘22, MSG ‘22…..East Rutherford 2 2006, Charlottesville 2013, Wrigley 2013, Fenway 2 2016, Philly 4 2009, MSG 1 2016, Brooklyn 2 2013, Berlin 2018
SUMMERFEST MILWAUKEE 1995
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 1998
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO1998
THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA KNOXVILLE 1998
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2000
ALLSTATE ARENA ROSEMONT 2000
ALPINE VALLEY MUSIC THEATRE 2003
HERSHEYPARK STADIUM 2003
TOLEDO SPORTS ARENA 2004
AIR CANADA CENTRE TORONTO 2005
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2006
VERIZON CENTER DC 2008
UNITED CENTER CHICAGO 2009
NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS 2010
PJ20 NIGHT 1 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011
PJ20 NIGHT 2 Alpine Valley Music Theatre 2011
1ST MARINER ARENA BALTIMORE 2013
IWIRELESS CENTER MOLINE 2014
XCEL ENERGY CENTER ST. PAUL 2014
CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2016
CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2016
CHICAGO 1 Wrigley Field 2018
CHICAGO 2 Wrigley Field 2018
BOSTON 2 Fenway Park 2018
ENTERPRISE CENTER SAINT LOUIS 2022
Eddie Vedder Auditorium Theatre CHICAGO 2008
LC said: I have to agree the crowd really made that NYC 22 show.
You never really had to begin with.
Sometimes it's not the song that makes you emotional it's the people and things that come to your mind when you hear it.