This is why I love this band so damn much

Shaindli1 · May 19

Because I didn't grow up in North America and my life's circumstances, I never got to see them live (even though I've loved them since 1991) until 2024.

This tour I came out to four shows (Raleigh x2, Pittsburgh x2). This went beyond my wildest dreams. I never expected for events to unfold the way they have, to experience such immense joy, to feel seen and heard by the band in this way. To be chosen by Ed, my hero since I was 16 (and ran away from home without much but my cassettes, then flee the country of my birth) to pick a song (omg Grievance); to also then get my other request (Insignificance) the following night; other things that transpired on this tour; to meet all those amazing fans who embraced me, treated me with the utmost kindness and generosity.
My eyes well up as I'm typing this on my phone, preparing for the long ride home.

I will never forget any of it.
Love.

lastexitlondon · May 19

This is what makes me happy

julieooliern · May 19

Unforgettable weekend with my dear friend. 💗 Now stop making me cry.

Shaindli1 · May 19

julieooliern said:

Unforgettable weekend with my dear friend. 💗 Now stop making me cry.

I'm crying too!

EricaRMaier · May 19

Our Grievance girl!! 😄 You’re amazing!!! If you ever find yourself visiting San Antonio, you’ve got a place to crash! ❤️👊🏼

(That goes for you too @julieooliern! ❤️)

Shaindli1 · May 19

EricaRMaier said:

Our Grievance girl!! 😄 You’re amazing!!! If you ever find yourself visiting San Antonio, you’ve got a place to crash! ❤️👊🏼

💖💖💖💖

pjruss · May 19

Although I haven’t met you personally, from all you’ve let us learn about you, and what you’ve gone through, all the amazing things that happened for you on this trip couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person. 😀

Congrats

Shaindli1 · May 19

pjruss said:

Although I haven’t met you personally, from all you’ve let us learn about you, and what you’ve gone through, all the amazing things that happened for you on this trip couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person. 😀

Congrats

One day we'll meet in person, my friend!

Loujoe · May 19

Great story. Sometimes things all come together like that. KaBoooOm!

Shaindli1 · May 20

I'm still on the road and I had such a strange dream last night about what I think was Pittsburgh. Is this how my post tour depression going to manifest now? I also cried again.

lastexitlondon · May 20

I always try to think about what I saw and not what I miss.
Nowadays I can't go to pearl jam anymore and I watch you tube and cry seeing all my friends on the rail but with joy that they are living a dream a reality I had.

Shaindli1 · May 20

lastexitlondon said:

I always try to think about what I saw and not what I miss.
Nowadays I can't go to pearl jam anymore and I watch you tube and cry seeing all my friends on the rail but with joy that they are living a dream a reality I had.

You're lovely! 💖

Gern Blansten · May 20

Shaindli1 said:

Because I didn't grow up in North America and my life's circumstances, I never got to see them live (even though I've loved them since 1991) until 2024.

This tour I came out to four shows (Raleigh x2, Pittsburgh x2). This went beyond my wildest dreams. I never expected for events to unfold the way they have, to experience such immense joy, to feel seen and heard by the band in this way. To be chosen by Ed, my hero since I was 16 (and ran away from home without much but my cassettes, then flee the country of my birth) to pick a song (omg Grievance); to also then get my other request (Insignificance) the following night; other things that transpired on this tour; to meet all those amazing fans who embraced me, treated me with the utmost kindness and generosity.
My eyes well up as I'm typing this on my phone, preparing for the long ride home.

I will never forget any of it.
Love.

thank you again for picking Grievance...perfect

EricaRMaier · May 20

Shaindli1 said:

I'm still on the road and I had such a strange dream last night about what I think was Pittsburgh. Is this how my post tour depression going to manifest now? I also cried again.

EXACTLY what that is. My hubs captured the Hunger Strike video, and I replayed it last night. Tears all over again. ❤️ I’m sure it’ll all filter into our dreams in the coming days and weeks. 😭

bigbiggzy · May 20

OP - beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

julieooliern · May 20

lastexitlondon said:

I always try to think about what I saw and not what I miss.
Nowadays I can't go to pearl jam anymore and I watch you tube and cry seeing all my friends on the rail but with joy that they are living a dream a reality I had.

You are GOLDEN ✨🌟

lastexitlondon · May 20

I'm just open and honest. From 2006 I lived every single dream I ever dreamed as a boy of 17 hearing 10 in a cassette player in my friends car.
And most of all the people I call my dearest friends I met in line at pearl jam. People I hope come to my funeral ( even if it's online) since Donna and Tom died I've really learned to cherish the days with them at gigs and with all the people still here. And for today I'm still here. There are so many more things to life but the people in your life make it what it is.
Happiness is only real when shared.
I have a lot of love , in fact my heart is full of love. For people I've not even met as well

EricaRMaier · May 20

lastexitlondon said:

I'm just open and honest. From 2006 I lived every single dream I ever dreamed as a boy of 17 hearing 10 in a cassette player in my friends car.
And most of all the people I call my dearest friends I met in line at pearl jam. People I hope come to my funeral ( even if it's online) since Donna and Tom died I've really learned to cherish the days with them at gigs and with all the people still here. And for today I'm still here. There are so many more things to life but the people in your life make it what it is.
Happiness is only real when shared.
I have a lot of love , in fact my heart is full of love. For people I've not even met as well

I only joined Ten Club last year (after being a fan since ‘92), and I *already* have made such lovely connections and friendships. It’s wild, unexpected, and such a beautiful thing. I wish I would have joined decades ago. But I definitely appreciate what is transpiring now. ❤️ I don’t know your personal circumstances, but am sending you loads of love and peace.

Shaindli1 · May 20

EricaRMaier said:

lastexitlondon said:

I'm just open and honest. From 2006 I lived every single dream I ever dreamed as a boy of 17 hearing 10 in a cassette player in my friends car.
And most of all the people I call my dearest friends I met in line at pearl jam. People I hope come to my funeral ( even if it's online) since Donna and Tom died I've really learned to cherish the days with them at gigs and with all the people still here. And for today I'm still here. There are so many more things to life but the people in your life make it what it is.
Happiness is only real when shared.
I have a lot of love , in fact my heart is full of love. For people I've not even met as well

I only joined Ten Club last year (after being a fan in ‘92), and I *already* have made such lovely connections and friendships. It’s wild, unexpected, and such a beautiful thing. I wish I would have joined decades ago. But I definitely appreciate what is transpiring now. ❤️ I don’t know your personal circumstances, but am sending you loads of love and peace.

💖💖💖💖

cincybearcat · May 20

It's the little things. My daughter has now been to 12 PJ shows with me. She has become a full on PJ addict. She is a bit sad on missing out on so much (her first show was at 10 years old in 2018 Rome), and she is still song chasing a little, though I have continuously tried to keep her from it (though I went through it myself previously). Anyhow - in Pittsburgh we went to Wishlist pre-party and a fan came up to her and asked her if she wanted a bracelet. It was a bee girl bracelet that was amazing. She loved it and was still talking about it yesterday.

So lucky to have enjoyed all that comes with being a Pearl Jam fan. Has given me another thing I connect with my 17 year old daughter on...and made for some really memorable roadtrips. And the interactions with fans at the pre-parties, in lines, in GA, or seats have been mostly fantastic. 1 negative event in those 12 shows with her. So grateful.

Shaindli1 · May 20

Oh man. I'm coming home with so many bracelets.
For some reason people handedlye Grievance bracelets since today 😉

I love everything about this so much!

julieooliern · May 20

lastexitlondon said:

I'm just open and honest. From 2006 I lived every single dream I ever dreamed as a boy of 17 hearing 10 in a cassette player in my friends car.
And most of all the people I call my dearest friends I met in line at pearl jam. People I hope come to my funeral ( even if it's online) since Donna and Tom died I've really learned to cherish the days with them at gigs and with all the people still here. And for today I'm still here. There are so many more things to life but the people in your life make it what it is.
Happiness is only real when shared.
I have a lot of love , in fact my heart is full of love. For people I've not even met as well

PJ fans are amazing 🥰

julieooliern · May 20

EricaRMaier said:

Our Grievance girl!! 😄 You’re amazing!!! If you ever find yourself visiting San Antonio, you’ve got a place to crash! ❤️👊🏼

(That goes for you too @julieooliern! ❤️)

It was so great to meet you @EricaRMaier! We will meet again soon, may at an EV or Earthlings show and you are always welcome at our home in the PNW!! 😘

darwinstheory · May 20

julieooliern said:

EricaRMaier said:

Our Grievance girl!! 😄 You’re amazing!!! If you ever find yourself visiting San Antonio, you’ve got a place to crash! ❤️👊🏼

(That goes for you too @julieooliern! ❤️)

It was so great to meet you @EricaRMaier! We will meet again soon, may at an EV or Earthlings show and you are always welcome at our home in the PNW!! 😘

Sweet! This will help us save on lodging at some point on our Olympic/Rainier/North Cascades/Neil Young Gorge trip in August and September!

Oh, wait...you were talking to Erica. Oops!

EricaRMaier · May 20

julieooliern said:

EricaRMaier said:

Our Grievance girl!! 😄 You’re amazing!!! If you ever find yourself visiting San Antonio, you’ve got a place to crash! ❤️👊🏼

(That goes for you too @julieooliern! ❤️)

It was so great to meet you @EricaRMaier! We will meet again soon, may at an EV or Earthlings show and you are always welcome at our home in the PNW!! 😘

Thank you!! 😘😘 We intend to be in Seattle in late August for the Vedder Cup, but I’m going to *attempt* to stay at the Edgewater in the PJ room. 🎸 Let’s try to meet up then!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

EricaRMaier · May 20

darwinstheory said:

julieooliern said:

EricaRMaier said:

Our Grievance girl!! 😄 You’re amazing!!! If you ever find yourself visiting San Antonio, you’ve got a place to crash! ❤️👊🏼

(That goes for you too @julieooliern! ❤️)

It was so great to meet you @EricaRMaier! We will meet again soon, may at an EV or Earthlings show and you are always welcome at our home in the PNW!! 😘

Sweet! This will help us save on lodging at some point on our Olympic/Rainier/North Cascades/Neil Young Gorge trip in August and September!

Oh, wait...you were talking to Erica. Oops!

Chris, you kill me 🤣🤣🤣

julieooliern · May 20

darwinstheory said:

julieooliern said:

EricaRMaier said:

Our Grievance girl!! 😄 You’re amazing!!! If you ever find yourself visiting San Antonio, you’ve got a place to crash! ❤️👊🏼

(That goes for you too @julieooliern! ❤️)

It was so great to meet you @EricaRMaier! We will meet again soon, may at an EV or Earthlings show and you are always welcome at our home in the PNW!! 😘

Sweet! This will help us save on lodging at some point on our Olympic/Rainier/North Cascades/Neil Young Gorge trip in August and September!

Oh, wait...you were talking to Erica. Oops!

Hey man, hit me up

Bosoxadam89 · May 20

I can only imagine how you’re feeling after last weekend! PJ concerts are my happy place and the feeling when one of your favorite/desire-most-to-hear-live songs starts being played is the closest feeling to Christmas morning when you opened your favorite gift from Santa. Has to be a thousand times better to have EV as your personal Santa Claus! We got to both Pitt shows, thank you for Grievance and Insignificance!

Berlin2000 · May 20

Shaindli1 said:

Because I didn't grow up in North America and my life's circumstances, I never got to see them live (even though I've loved them since 1991) until 2024.

This tour I came out to four shows (Raleigh x2, Pittsburgh x2). This went beyond my wildest dreams. I never expected for events to unfold the way they have, to experience such immense joy, to feel seen and heard by the band in this way. To be chosen by Ed, my hero since I was 16 (and ran away from home without much but my cassettes, then flee the country of my birth) to pick a song (omg Grievance); to also then get my other request (Insignificance) the following night; other things that transpired on this tour; to meet all those amazing fans who embraced me, treated me with the utmost kindness and generosity.
My eyes well up as I'm typing this on my phone, preparing for the long ride home.

I will never forget any of it.
Love.

I started seeing your posts on the Raleigh thread and they caught my attention because I have been afraid of driving all my life and have only recently become a little more confident. My proudest moment so far was driving myself from Durham to Raleigh and back to buy merch last week. Not nearly as impressive as going all the way from Mass to NC, but an accomplishment nevertheless.

They way your story unfolded was such a joy to read and reminded me why this band and its fans are so awesome and well worth obsessing over. I hope these experiences and memories will stay with you for a long, long time and embolden your spirits should life get a little difficult somewhere down the road. See you on the highway!

darwinstheory · May 20

Hoping like hell Ed shows up for Neil. He showed up for a Roger Waters show I attended.

SVRDhand13 · May 20

Shaindli1 said:

Because I didn't grow up in North America and my life's circumstances, I never got to see them live (even though I've loved them since 1991) until 2024.

This tour I came out to four shows (Raleigh x2, Pittsburgh x2). This went beyond my wildest dreams. I never expected for events to unfold the way they have, to experience such immense joy, to feel seen and heard by the band in this way. To be chosen by Ed, my hero since I was 16 (and ran away from home without much but my cassettes, then flee the country of my birth) to pick a song (omg Grievance); to also then get my other request (Insignificance) the following night; other things that transpired on this tour; to meet all those amazing fans who embraced me, treated me with the utmost kindness and generosity.
My eyes well up as I'm typing this on my phone, preparing for the long ride home.

I will never forget any of it.
Love.

Great job picking Grievance. Any idea why or how Ed picked you?

This is why I love this band so damn much

Comments