I typically need a couple days to organize rational thoughts about these shows.
Anyway I was thinking about Eddie's story about the ballpark, and when he was getting around to bringing out Andy to introduce Even Flow. The crowd was figuring out what he was doing and rising to a crescendo. I swear it's the loudest thing I ever heard at a PJ show, Philly and all. And that Eddie spent his Saturday between shows at this beautiful place. Jeez, I was there, and I was going to museums and whiskey tours. These guys are just amazing.
That brought my wife to tears when Andy came out and addressed the crowd. She is a high school special education teacher, and she is passionate about her students and seeing Andy up there and the love the crowd gave him blew her away. Thank you Ed and PJ fans for your kindness and love!
I typically need a couple days to organize rational thoughts about these shows.
Anyway I was thinking about Eddie's story about the ballpark, and when he was getting around to bringing out Andy to introduce Even Flow. The crowd was figuring out what he was doing and rising to a crescendo. I swear it's the loudest thing I ever heard at a PJ show, Philly and all. And that Eddie spent his Saturday between shows at this beautiful place. Jeez, I was there, and I was going to museums and whiskey tours. These guys are just amazing.
That brought my wife to tears when Andy came out and addressed the crowd. She is a high school special education teacher, and she is passionate about her students and seeing Andy up there and the love the crowd gave him blew her away. Thank you Ed and PJ fans for your kindness and love!
I needed the usher to come and mop up - I was a mess.
Spectrum 10/27/09; New Orleans JazzFest 5/1/10; Made in America 9/2/12; Phila, PA 10/21/13; Phila, PA 10/22/13; Baltimore Arena 10/27/13; Phila, PA 4/28/16; Phila, PA 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22; Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; Phila, PA 9/7/24; Phila, PA 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24; Pittsburgh 5/16/25; Pittsburgh 5/18/25
Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
I typically need a couple days to organize rational thoughts about these shows.
Anyway I was thinking about Eddie's story about the ballpark, and when he was getting around to bringing out Andy to introduce Even Flow. The crowd was figuring out what he was doing and rising to a crescendo. I swear it's the loudest thing I ever heard at a PJ show, Philly and all. And that Eddie spent his Saturday between shows at this beautiful place. Jeez, I was there, and I was going to museums and whiskey tours. These guys are just amazing.
That brought my wife to tears when Andy came out and addressed the crowd. She is a high school special education teacher, and she is passionate about her students and seeing Andy up there and the love the crowd gave him blew her away. Thank you Ed and PJ fans for your kindness and love!
I needed the usher to come and mop up - I was a mess.
It was a great moment and really proud of the crowd reaction.
I typically need a couple days to organize rational thoughts about these shows.
Anyway I was thinking about Eddie's story about the ballpark, and when he was getting around to bringing out Andy to introduce Even Flow. The crowd was figuring out what he was doing and rising to a crescendo. I swear it's the loudest thing I ever heard at a PJ show, Philly and all. And that Eddie spent his Saturday between shows at this beautiful place. Jeez, I was there, and I was going to museums and whiskey tours. These guys are just amazing.
That brought my wife to tears when Andy came out and addressed the crowd. She is a high school special education teacher, and she is passionate about her students and seeing Andy up there and the love the crowd gave him blew her away. Thank you Ed and PJ fans for your kindness and love!
I needed the usher to come and mop up - I was a mess.
It was a great moment and really proud of the crowd reaction.
Nothing new and nothing we don't already know. But they are so good at making us feel we are part of something awesome, beyond just people who like Ten and going to concerts.
Spectrum 10/27/09; New Orleans JazzFest 5/1/10; Made in America 9/2/12; Phila, PA 10/21/13; Phila, PA 10/22/13; Baltimore Arena 10/27/13; Phila, PA 4/28/16; Phila, PA 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22; Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; Phila, PA 9/7/24; Phila, PA 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24; Pittsburgh 5/16/25; Pittsburgh 5/18/25
Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
Fantastic show! Still buzzing. I have a lower show count than most on here, but it took me 14 shows to finally see Nothingman which seems a little weird for one of their more commonly played songs. Also finally getting Setting Sun live after going 0-3 on the last leg was another personal success. Hunger Strike, absolutely incredible.
Still can’t wrap my head around the lack of Waiting for Stevie on this leg. Song is so great live IMO.
Great end to the Dark Matter tour. Looking forward to the next. Cheers! 🍻
They started tuning down Waiting for Stevie at the end of 2024 tour. Didn’t sound nearly as good so maybe is rough on Ed vocals in the normal format?
Our Future Days: 30 Years, 2 Nights, and a Lifetime of Gratitude
Unreal…
Back in January, my wife Melissa and I wrote to the band and asked if they might play Future Days in Pittsburgh for us to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We shared a little about our journey together — the challenges we’ve faced, and how their music has been a constant source of strength, hope, and healing through it all (and provided Brandt with 12 PJ tattoos along the way).
On Sunday, Eddie sat down, played a few notes from Future Days, and spoke about Franco Harris, his son Dr. Harris, Pittsburgh, tough times, and then about his own future days with Jill and his daughters. We couldn’t believe it when he then said, “but then I got a note that there’s someone else in the crowd tonight. Brandt and Melissa and they’re going to one up us with their 30th anniversary. So happy anniversary to ya. Much love.” And Eddie gave us a little wave. We cried and danced through the entire song — and we’re still crying when we play it again now.
Thank you, Eddie and Pearl Jam, for playing Future Days. This song encapsulates the love, devotion, pain, grief, trauma, and unrelenting commitment between two people. It tells a story of us and touches our souls. We are so honored to get our request and be mentioned.
This year, we celebrate 30 years together, 10 years of Brandt being cancer-free, and finally no more surgeries scheduled. We’ve gotten through all the muck together, and we’re stronger because of it.
Believe… it’s possible.
And just as unforgettable as the PJ music, were the amazing people we met Friday-Monday. The fantastic fans we stood in line with for 10 hours for merch — Keith from Atlanta, we loved hanging with you. The wonderful couple from Erie, PA who sat beside us, the woman from Jersey in our hotel chasing Inside Job, my big-bearded friend from Tasmania who traveled halfway around the world, and so many others whose kindness, stories, and shared love for this band made these nights even more meaningful. This community is truly something special.
Two fantastic shows, Pittsburgh!!
I believe. I believe ’cause I can see. Our future days. Days of you and me.
From the bottom of our hearts — thank you, Pearl Jam. And thank you to this incredible Ten Club family we’re so proud to be a part of.
Our Future Days: 30 Years, 2 Nights, and a Lifetime of Gratitude
Unreal…
Back in January, my wife Melissa and I wrote to the band and asked if they might play Future Days in Pittsburgh for us to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We shared a little about our journey together — the challenges we’ve faced, and how their music has been a constant source of strength, hope, and healing through it all (and provided Brandt with 12 PJ tattoos along the way).
On Sunday, Eddie sat down, played a few notes from Future Days, and spoke about Franco Harris, his son Dr. Harris, Pittsburgh, tough times, and then about his own future days with Jill and his daughters. We couldn’t believe it when he then said, “but then I got a note that there’s someone else in the crowd tonight. Brandt and Melissa and they’re going to one up us with their 30th anniversary. So happy anniversary to ya. Much love.” And Eddie gave us a little wave. We cried and danced through the entire song — and we’re still crying when we play it again now.
Thank you, Eddie and Pearl Jam, for playing Future Days. This song encapsulates the love, devotion, pain, grief, trauma, and unrelenting commitment between two people. It tells a story of us and touches our souls. We are so honored to get our request and be mentioned.
This year, we celebrate 30 years together, 10 years of Brandt being cancer-free, and finally no more surgeries scheduled. We’ve gotten through all the muck together, and we’re stronger because of it.
Believe… it’s possible.
And just as unforgettable as the PJ music, were the amazing people we met Friday-Monday. The fantastic fans we stood in line with for 10 hours for merch — Keith from Atlanta, we loved hanging with you. The wonderful couple from Erie, PA who sat beside us, the woman from Jersey in our hotel chasing Inside Job, my big-bearded friend from Tasmania who traveled halfway around the world, and so many others whose kindness, stories, and shared love for this band made these nights even more meaningful. This community is truly something special.
Two fantastic shows, Pittsburgh!!
I believe. I believe ’cause I can see. Our future days. Days of you and me.
From the bottom of our hearts — thank you, Pearl Jam. And thank you to this incredible Ten Club family we’re so proud to be a part of.
Brandt & Melissa
This. This is why PJ. Congratulations on 30 years of marriage and defeating cancer. Much love to you both. 💗
Our Future Days: 30 Years, 2 Nights, and a Lifetime of Gratitude
Unreal…
Back in January, my wife Melissa and I wrote to the band and asked if they might play Future Days in Pittsburgh for us to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We shared a little about our journey together — the challenges we’ve faced, and how their music has been a constant source of strength, hope, and healing through it all (and provided Brandt with 12 PJ tattoos along the way).
On Sunday, Eddie sat down, played a few notes from Future Days, and spoke about Franco Harris, his son Dr. Harris, Pittsburgh, tough times, and then about his own future days with Jill and his daughters. We couldn’t believe it when he then said, “but then I got a note that there’s someone else in the crowd tonight. Brandt and Melissa and they’re going to one up us with their 30th anniversary. So happy anniversary to ya. Much love.” And Eddie gave us a little wave. We cried and danced through the entire song — and we’re still crying when we play it again now.
Thank you, Eddie and Pearl Jam, for playing Future Days. This song encapsulates the love, devotion, pain, grief, trauma, and unrelenting commitment between two people. It tells a story of us and touches our souls. We are so honored to get our request and be mentioned.
This year, we celebrate 30 years together, 10 years of Brandt being cancer-free, and finally no more surgeries scheduled. We’ve gotten through all the muck together, and we’re stronger because of it.
Believe… it’s possible.
And just as unforgettable as the PJ music, were the amazing people we met Friday-Monday. The fantastic fans we stood in line with for 10 hours for merch — Keith from Atlanta, we loved hanging with you. The wonderful couple from Erie, PA who sat beside us, the woman from Jersey in our hotel chasing Inside Job, my big-bearded friend from Tasmania who traveled halfway around the world, and so many others whose kindness, stories, and shared love for this band made these nights even more meaningful. This community is truly something special.
Two fantastic shows, Pittsburgh!!
I believe. I believe ’cause I can see. Our future days. Days of you and me.
From the bottom of our hearts — thank you, Pearl Jam. And thank you to this incredible Ten Club family we’re so proud to be a part of.
Brandt & Melissa
Happiest of anniversaries, Brandt and Melissa. THIS is what it’s all about. In tears with you. 🥹🥹🥹🥹 An unforgettable moment to say the least, and an INCREDIBLE song request to boot. So glad I was there both nights too to share in the joy. ❤️
I have no idea why you wouldn't bust out some of your dozen or so PJ shirts for concert weekend, especially when you travelled there. Also helps kick off convos as someone said. What a weird thing to criticize.
💯💯💯 PJ is honestly pretty much all I wear all the time BECAUSE I want people to approach me and comment. Makes me so happy to swap stories and song favorites with random strangers. ❤️
Me too Erica. I don’t care anymore, I just wanna have fun and talk about PJ with fellow fans forever 😂. It always ends up leading to other meaningful conversations and new friendships. #PJLIFE
#PJLIFE, my friend, 💯💯💯 I even try to figure out how to dress them up if I have to! 😂
Our Future Days: 30 Years, 2 Nights, and a Lifetime of Gratitude
Unreal…
Back in January, my wife Melissa and I wrote to the band and asked if they might play Future Days in Pittsburgh for us to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We shared a little about our journey together — the challenges we’ve faced, and how their music has been a constant source of strength, hope, and healing through it all (and provided Brandt with 12 PJ tattoos along the way).
On Sunday, Eddie sat down, played a few notes from Future Days, and spoke about Franco Harris, his son Dr. Harris, Pittsburgh, tough times, and then about his own future days with Jill and his daughters. We couldn’t believe it when he then said, “but then I got a note that there’s someone else in the crowd tonight. Brandt and Melissa and they’re going to one up us with their 30th anniversary. So happy anniversary to ya. Much love.” And Eddie gave us a little wave. We cried and danced through the entire song — and we’re still crying when we play it again now.
Thank you, Eddie and Pearl Jam, for playing Future Days. This song encapsulates the love, devotion, pain, grief, trauma, and unrelenting commitment between two people. It tells a story of us and touches our souls. We are so honored to get our request and be mentioned.
This year, we celebrate 30 years together, 10 years of Brandt being cancer-free, and finally no more surgeries scheduled. We’ve gotten through all the muck together, and we’re stronger because of it.
Believe… it’s possible.
And just as unforgettable as the PJ music, were the amazing people we met Friday-Monday. The fantastic fans we stood in line with for 10 hours for merch — Keith from Atlanta, we loved hanging with you. The wonderful couple from Erie, PA who sat beside us, the woman from Jersey in our hotel chasing Inside Job, my big-bearded friend from Tasmania who traveled halfway around the world, and so many others whose kindness, stories, and shared love for this band made these nights even more meaningful. This community is truly something special.
Two fantastic shows, Pittsburgh!!
I believe. I believe ’cause I can see. Our future days. Days of you and me.
From the bottom of our hearts — thank you, Pearl Jam. And thank you to this incredible Ten Club family we’re so proud to be a part of.
A little late, but thank you to the PPG arena guest services staff for accommodating my wife with an ADA ticket exchange. We had tickets in 206 row J for night 2. When we got there and saw how steep the stairs were we were concerned. My wife recently was diagnosed with MS and getting up and down stairs can be tricky. We went to guest services and they said to come back between the end of the opening TJ set and when PJ was supposed to start. About 10 minutes before PJ was supposed to start they exchanged our tickets with ADA seats in section 213. We were at the top of far end of the arena from the stage, but she was able to enjoy the concert without having to make it up and down those stairs. We were very appreciative.
After how amazing the Friday night show in Pittsburgh was, the bar was set very high for the tour finale on Sunday night. I try not to go into shows with any expectations these days so as not to come out disappointed, but the Friday night show was so good that I just
couldn't help myself. As detailed in my prior post (I mean full-length novel lol), the Friday night show was a truly transcendental, once-in-a-lifetime experience for me that I know will be impossible for me to top, with Ed grabbing my hand, giving me the wine bottle, getting to help hold up Ed as he leaned off the bump, etc. Having said that, as amazing as N1 was, I thought that N2 blew it out of the water. While I could not possibly top the personal experience that I had on N1, there is no question in mind my that this was the better show- and it wasn't even close. The band knew that they had their work cut out for them and that the bar was set high during N1, and they not only exceeded it during N2, but they blasted off into the stratosphere and took the rest of us with them. 🚀🌠
This was my 40th show, and was one of the best I've ever seen in terms of both the crowd energy and the setlist. I always used to say, "Never miss a Philly show." After this show, I have to amend it to, "Never miss a Pennsylvania show." It's always sad when a tour comes to an end. But when you have to end a tour, this is how you do it! 🎸🤘
I was on the rail/bump again directly in front of Ed. I had another incredible experience up there, getting high fives and fist bumps from
Ed, Ed singing right in my face, getting to do the human teleprompter thing again, etc. But I'm not going to focus on that in this review. I already provided enough (and by enough, I mean WAY TOO MUCH🤣) detail on the rail experience in my prior review. Suffice it to say I had another amazing, transcendental experience up there. If you haven't done the rail thing before, I highly recommend you do it at least once, if nothing else just to check it off your bucket list. Yes you will be tired and yes it can be grueling at times (like Friday night after the show when we had to brave the rain/wind storm and my tent started blowing around the parking lot- but that's a story for another time ⛺💨🤣), but I can promise you it will be worth it and you will have the experience of a lifetime. A friend of mine who's been to over 100 shows once said to me, "When you're in the seats, you're watching the show. When you're on the rail, you're part of the show." Having now done this a number of times, I can tell you that that rings true. When you're in the pit, it feels like you're watching the band perform at a small club located within much larger arena. It really does feel like the band is playing to the pit, and the energy up there
is without compare. A word of warning though- once you go pit/rail, you never go back; you will ruin seated concerts forever 🚫🪑🤣 And for those of you who are concerned that the camping experience will be long and boring, I can assure you that it is not. The campouts are a blast, and I have met some of my best friends in the process. These days, I actually enjoy the campouts as much as the shows themselves, as I love getting to reconnect with old friends and make new friends from all over the world, all of whom are united by their shared love of this band.
But enough about the camping/rail experience. Instead, what I want to focus on are the three things that made this show really special, and one that I will cherish forever: (1) the band energy; (2) the crowd energy; and (3) the setlist. The expectations are always high for the tour closer, and rightfully so- they have played numerous epic tour closers in the past. But I feel like the expectations were even higher for this one for a couple of additional reasons. First, the band has been firing on all cylinders since the start of the DM tour, and has sounded as good as they ever have. At least in my opinion, DM is the best overall album they have put out in a long, long time, at least since Avocado and maybe even since Yield (which I think is arguably their best overall album). I think DM reinvigorated the band to an extent we haven't seen in years, resulting in awesome, high-energy shows night after night. Second, Pitt N1 was an amazing show—both in terms of the crowd and the setlist—and set the bar really high for the following night.
Third, and maybe most importantly, the show happened to fall on the 8th anniversary of Chris Cornell's death. I was a huge Cornell fan, and loved everything he's done, from Soundgarden, to TOTD, to Audioslave, to his solo records. And I was fortunate to have seen Cornell several times in varying capacities (Soundgarden, TOTD, and solo) before his untimely passing. His death hit me hard. I couldn't believe it when I heard the news; it was just so sudden. And just like that, one of the greatest voices in the history of rock n roll was taken away from us. 😢 I decided to wear a Soundgarden shirt that night to honor Chris and the indelible contribution that he made to rock n roll and music in general, and also to recognize the recent induction of Soundgarden into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. I was glad that Chris was finally getting the recognition that he deserved, even if posthumously. I was really hoping the band would do something to commemorate Chris' passing, and to celebrate his life. Of course, like all of the other 15,000+ fans in attendance, I was really hoping for Hunger Strike. But I thought the chances of that happening were essentially nil. I also thought that if there was ever an occasion to play one of my favorite songs from Gigaton, Comes Then Goes (which I've always interpreted to be about Chris), this was it. But again, I was trying not to get my hopes up.
To lighten the occasion, I actually had a funny moment related to Cornell about an hour or two before the show. In the middle of the afternoon, I went up to my hotel room to change into my Soundgarden shirt. When I came back down to the GA line, I ran into one of my new friends who I met while camping out who had a somewhat concerned look
on his face. He came up to me all nervous and said, "I was actually going to wear that same exact shirt to the show." He then asked if it would be okay if he wore the shirt too, and of course I told him that not only would it be okay, but I thought it was important to do so in honor of Chris. We got to talking and decided that we would stand next to each other on the rail to show our support of Chris and Soundgarden. We also decided that in the highly unlikely event that they played Hunger Strike, the two of us would take credit for it (regardless of whether it was already on the written setlist 🗒️🤣). When they played All Night Thing on the PA system just before PJ took the stage, which happens to be my favorite TOTD song, I took that as a good omen of things to come.
Now in terms of the crowd, each and every one of you who attended the show please give yourselves a round of applause! 👏🙌 You all deserve it! I've always said that it's the crowd that makes the show. And you all brought it all night long! I thought the crowd was great during N1, but this crowd was on a different level. It was reminiscent of Philly N1- you guys literally blew the roof off the place! From the opening notes of Garden until the closing chords of Little Wing, the building was rocking all night long! 🎸🤘 Obviously I can only speak for the pit—which was literally rising up and down as one for basically the entire show—but it felt like the whole building followed suit (but for those of you in the seats, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts/comments on the crowd energy below). And the crowd was LOUD!!! 📢🔊 It sounded like everyone in the building knew every word to every song, and was screaming them out at the top of their lungs. That was one of the best, most intense and energetic rails/pits I've ever been a part of, with everyone belting out every word to every song, raising their arms up into the sky in unison, and jumping up and down and headbanging nonstop for almost 3 straight hours. There were points of the show when it literally felt like the building was shaking. I thought the building might collapse in on itself at any moment- but at least we'd all go out on a high note! 💣💥🎇
It seemed like early on in the show, the band recognized the crowd's intense energy, and continued to feed off it for the rest of the night. The band came out firing on all cylinders right from the get go, as if to say to the crowd, “We’re gonna bring it tonight” and challenging the crowd to do the same, and the crowd responded in kind. At times, it almost seemed like a competition between the band and the crowd as to who could bring more energy and then maintain it. And when one would rise above the other, the other would almost instantaneously ratchet up the energy level to meet and exceed it. This caused the energy level in the building to continue to build and build until the place literally exploded during RVM at the end of the main set (more on that later).
The band was in a great mood from the start, and the mood just seemed to get better and better as the night went on. Everyone in the band seemed outright jubilant, and played their hearts out the entire show. Ed in particular really seemed like he was giving it his all- and it showed. He had a fiery intensity that permeated every word and every note, and there were multiple occasions during the show when I felt like I was transported back in time to the late 90s or early 2000s. It felt like he really stretched his voice to the limit during this show, since he knew that it was going to be last show for a while and he didn't have to preserve it for tomorrow. But it made a big difference in the way the songs sounded, particularly some of the more vocally challenging songs like Deep, Insignificance, RVM, and Hunger Strike.
Mike was on absolute 🔥 once again, frantically pacing around the stage like a man on a mission, and that mission was to melt our faces over and over again with an onslaught of earth-shattering solos. Spoiler alert: he succeeded. 🎸🤘 I know Mike's energy is always crazy, but even for him, he seemed to be on a different level that night. I noticed that even during some of the slower songs (e.g., I believe during the first half of Immortality, if I'm remembering correctly), Mike was furiously pacing around the stage in circles awaiting his chance to shred it up. It was like he had so much pent up energy inside that he could hardly contain it. And that energy came out in a series of absolutely incendiary solos that only seemed to get better and better as the night went on, culminating with one of the best solos I've ever seen—by Mike or anybody else for that matter—during Little Wing. Jeff was maybe the happiest I've ever seen him before. He was grinning ear to ear all night long, and was the most energetic I've ever seen him. Even the typically much more subdued and stoic Stone was the most animated I've ever seen him. He was moving those hips and groovin' that duck walk—all while doing his best impression of Derek Zoolander's signature facial expressions—all night long! I know the C. in Stone C. Gossard stands for Carpenter, but on this night it stood for Casanova. Watch out ladies, he's a real heartbreaker this one! 🕺❤️🔥🤣 And as usual the ageless MFC laid down the beats with
impeccable precision, creating the waves for Mike to surf over.
I thought the setlist was fantastic! And not just the song selection, but also the order in which they were played, which I think contributed a lot to the amazing energy in the building. I thought it was a very well thought out and expertly crafted setlist for the final show. It perfectly balanced the hits, rarities, and covers, and had a little something for everyone. I'd be surprised if anyone left this show in any way disappointed.
I loved the opening of Garden—Nothingman—Why Go—Deep. Garden and Deep are two of my favorites off of Ten, so I was thrilled to get both of them at the beginning of the show. I think Garden makes a great opener, and really immerses the crowd and gets them going early. Garden is actually the favorite song of two of my friends who were on the rail with me, so it was awesome watching them completely lose their minds when the band started the opening notes. 🤯 That was also the loudest I've ever heard a crowd during Garden. The sound in the building was deafening, with everyone belting out every word at the top of their lungs. 🔊 I knew immediately we were off to a great start.
I always really like hearing Nothingman at the beginning of a show, as it provides a great opportunity for the crowd to warm up their vocals before we get into the real rockers. There was an amazing moment toward the end of the song when everyone in the crowd raised their arms up toward the sky and belted out as one "into the sun, into the sun," while the lights shined down upon them. All of the different voices combined as one sounded incredible, and created a really special, cathartic moment. I can't wait to listen to that part on the bootleg.
Before transitioning into the rockers, Ed presented us with some sad news. He said that this would be the final show of the DM tour, and that after this, the band would not be hitting the road again for another year or two. Even though I wasn't all that surprised to hear this given how much time the band has spent on the road over the past two years, it was still tough to take in. When Ed mentioned that he felt that DM was one of the band's best albums (with which I wholeheartedly agree), the crowd erupted with thunderous applause, and Ed started to get emotional. It was a bittersweet moment knowing that this amazing journey over the past two years was coming to an end, and that it would be some time before we saw the band perform live again.
After delivering this bittersweet news, the band fittingly launched into one of the most energetic versions of Why Go I've ever seen, with everyone in the pit pogoing along and screaming out in unison, "Why go home?" I could not think of a more appropriate song to commemorate the occasion, because, let’s be honest, who among us really ever wants to go home? If only the tour never had to end ... 😢 That was followed by the best, most intense version of Deep I’ve ever heard. Ed’s vocals were on point, and the rail lost its collective mind. I've always loved hearing Deep live, but Ed sang it with a newfound intensity I'd never seen before. Ed’s 90s era guttural growl was back, at least for one song. By the end of Deep, my voice was completely gone, and didn't come back until two days ago. That made me think- how in the world does Ed do this night after night? I'll never know. But it's truly remarkable just how well his voice has held up after 35 years.
I was really glad to get to hear Running and Scared of Fear one more time before the tour came to an end, which in my opinion are two of the best live songs off the album. The pit was rocking out hard during Running—which incidentally has become one of my favorite running songs 🏃—with everyone pogoing and headbanging along at a frenetic pace.
I was a big fan of that song from the first time I heard the single—since I felt it was essentially a modern day Whipping—but I was wondering if they would be able to pull it off live, given the challenging vocals and fast-paced drum beats. But having seen it several times since, I can confidently say that one kills live! It's very impressive that Ed and Matt can still pull that off at their age. Now if only one day we could get Running into Whipping! 🤞🙏🤯 And I think Scared of Fear is the best album opener they've penned in years, at least since Life Wasted, and is so much fun live. I really hope both of those songs stick around for future tours.
Small town felt like a campfire singalong, except with 15,000 people singing all at once. The sound in the building once again reached deafening levels when everyone all belted out at once, "I just want to scream ... HELLO!" That was followed by one of my favorite PJ songs of all time, Immortality. Although I always love hearing this song, this was one of the best versions I've ever heard, with Mike delivering an absolutely blistering solo. The way Mike was bending the strings to their limit and working the pedals gave the solo this ethereal, otherworldly feel—which to me felt reminiscent of David Gilmour—and transported us to another dimension.
Following Immortality, Ed gave what I felt was a very personal and heartfelt speech expressing his appreciation for the people who have traveled from all over the world to attend multiple shows this tour. He then shined a light on the people in the front row and talked about how much he was going to miss them, but more importantly, how much they were going to miss each other. This really hit home for me, and several of the other people on the rail, with whom I had developed very close friendships over the course of the tour. Through my travels on this tour as well as past tours, I have met and become friends with so many amazing people from all over the world, many of whom I am proud to count among my closest friends. None of this would have ever been possible without PJ. I cannot even express in words just how grateful I am that I have become a part of such an incredible community of truly wonderful people that has been cultivated by our mutual adoration of this band and their music—and the lifelong friendships I have formed as a result—and that Ed actually took time out of the show to express his genuine appreciation for the love and devotion that we have shown toward the band. We should all count our lucky stars. ❤️✨
After Ed's heartfelt speech but bittersweet speech, hugs were exchanged, kind words were spoken, and tears were shed. And then
fittingly, Ed dedicated Faithful to the "faithful." This is one of my favorite songs off one of my favorite albums (although as I'm sure those of you who read my prior review are well aware, Binaural is my favorite album, on balance, I think that Yield is their best overall album), and it was only the second time I've heard it in 40 shows. This was one of the highlights of the show for me. Ed spent most of the song out on the edge of the bump singing the lyrics together with the faithful, creating a truly special moment for me and many others, one which I will cherish forever. While it was a bittersweet moment for sure knowing that it would be some time before we all gathered together again to see our favorite band, for me, it felt more like a celebration. It was a celebration of PJ, their music, and the incredible close-knit community of amazing people that they have cultivated. It may be a little while before the faithful are able to gather together again to belt out our favorite tunes in an arena, but that in no way diminishes the remarkable friendships and relationships that we have developed over the years. Even when PJ is not on tour, the amazing relationships that we have formed persist- we will always be connected by our shared love of this band and the profound effect that their music has had on our lives. So whenever you start feeling down when PJ is not out on tour, just remember, "We're faithful, we all believe, we all believe it." 🙏❤️
Ed then talked about how during the day off between the shows, he visited a baseball field nearby for kids with special needs, and how he was inspired by the experience. He then brought out Andy, the announcer for the games, to introduce the next song. Andy came out to a thunderous ovation and a chant of “ANDY, ANDY!” from the crowd, and was beaming from ear to ear while he revved up the crowd and excitedly introduced Even Flow. It was a really powerful, inspirational moment, that I was so grateful to be a part of. It melted my heart to see just how happy and excited Andy was to be out there on stage with Ed announcing the song. And Andy’s enthusiastic introduction led to the best, most energetic version of Even Flow I’ve heard in many years. Many of us have heard this song numerous times before, but this time after Andy’s passionate introduction, I just felt that it hit differently. Sometimes I find myself a little disappointed by the energy in the pit/rail during Even Flow, as a lot of people tend to just be standing around statuesque and not rocking out as hard because they’ve heard it a million times before. But not this time. This was the most energized I’ve ever seen the pit during Even Flow. Everyone was pogoing like their lives depended on it, and it felt like the entire pit was rising and falling as one. And of course Mike reciprocated the crowd’s frenetic energy by delivering an absolutely incendiary extended solo. It’s moments like this that make me love Ed and the band even more. ❤️
After the usual combination of Dark Matter and Wreckage, Ed dedicated Better Man to one of his biggest musical influences, Pete Townshend, on his 80th birthday. Before going into the Save It For Later tag, Ed sang a couple of lines from one of my favorite Who songs, I'm One, in honor of Pete, which I felt was a nice touch. Following Better Man, Ed gave an impassioned speech about how women's rights to reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy have been under attack, and the vital role that men play in supporting women's rights. As a civil rights lawyer who has worked on these and similar issues for many years, this really hit home for me. As someone who has dedicated their career to fighting tirelessly against discrimination and injustice and in support of equal rights for all, I was glad to hear Ed using his voice to inspire others to action in these troubled times. "Don't react, respond!" 👊 Also, Ed had a great line to the effect of, "If women do not have the right to choose, then they may choose not to be intimate with men. And then all of us men will be f*cked. Actually no, we won't be f*cked!" 🤣 That's a 5-star pun and some infallible logic right there! And remember, women, you have the power! 💪👊
That led to one of the biggest surprises and one of my favorite moments of the night, as the band launched into Insignificance.
Insignificance is one of my favorite tracks off of Binaural (and you all already know how I feel about Binaural), which had only been played a couple of times in recent years. So suffice it to say I completely lost my mind! 🤯 The pit/rail went absolutely wild, and the energy down there was indescribable. Everyone was jumping up and down like crazy and raising their fists in the air through the entire song. I couldn’t believe how loud the building was with everyone yelling out at the top of their lungs, “It’s instilled … to wanna live.” What a powerful moment! The sound in the place was deafening. And the energy just continued to build and build throughout the song, culminating in another epic Mike solo. It seemed like everyone in the pit knew every
word to the song, which was particularly impressive given how infrequently it has been played recently. And I thought the song
sounded great from start to finish, and was clearly well-rehearsed.
Once kept the energy going, and was followed by a reflective version of Wishlist, during which Ed, for the first time ever, sang some of the lyrics from Comes Then Goes. I thought it was a very thoughtful and contemplative way to honor and commemorate Chris, and was a very fitting and respectful way to recognize such a solemn occasion. Although I doubt we’ll ever hear the full version of the song live (although maybe at an Ed solo show someday, who knows), I’m really glad that he chose to sing a few lines from it to acknowledge the occasion.
Then they closed out the set with an absolutely exhilarating version of RVM. The crowd had been great all night up to this point, but this was the moment when the energy in the building finally reached a fever pitch. The only other version of RVM that I've ever heard that I can compare this to is Philly N1 last year. After the amazing experience that I had on the rail at Philly N1, I never thought that anything could come close to matching the energy in the building on that truly incredible, one-of-a-kind night. But this did. Everyone in the pit/rail was pogoing and headbanging at a furious pace, and I was frantically trying to keep up. It was intense. After Mike's mesmerizing solo, the energy continued to build and build until the place literally exploded when Ed came out to the edge of the bump and belted out, "Saw things ..." 💥🤯 I think I pogoed the hardest I ever have in my entire life over the next few minutes (which is saying a lot for those of you who know me), and didn't let up until the song eventually came to a close. When the song finally ended, I was completely exhausted; I had nothing left. I leaned over and literally laid down over the rail to try to regain some energy to make sure I didn't pass out. Then I looked to my left and my right, and saw bodies literally slumped over the rail. The only other time I'd ever seen anything like it was after RVM at the end of the main set of Philly N1. I never thought I'd experience anything like that ever again. Kudos to all of you on the rail/in the pit for pushing yourselves to the limit. 👏🙌 It made for an absolutely incredible experience that I will never forget!
I was so exhausted that I remained slumped over the rail for basically the entire encore break to make sure that I had enough energy left to make it through the rest of the show (I almost always push myself close to my limit, but I was legitimately concerned at this point lol). After Ed came back out and started talking about love and relationships and how he had one of his very first dates with his wife many years ago in Pittsburgh, I assumed we were getting Just Breathe. So Future Days, which I hadn't heard since way back during the Lightning Bolt tour, was a nice surprise. Candidly, when I first heard Future Days on the album, I wasn't the biggest fan. But the song has grown on me in the years since. And as a huge fan of the Last of Us (both the video game and the subsequent tv series), the song has taken on new meaning for me in recent years. So I was really delighted to get to hear it again after all this time. And I thought it was a very heartfelt, beautiful rendition. The message that I now take from the song (particularly from lines such as, "If I ever were to lose you, I'd surely lose myself," and "Please, this is just too good to be gone") is this: if you're lucky enough to have a partner in this life, never take them for granted. Appreciate every single moment you have with them, make the most out of each day, and live every day like it's your last; cause you never know when the ride might come to an end. ❤️
And the serenity of Future Days was followed by the best, most energetic moment of the night, and one of the greatest single moments I've ever experienced in my 40 PJ shows. Of course like everyone else in the building, I was dreaming, hoping, and praying that they would play Hunger Strike in dedication to Chris, but I never in a million years thought it would actually happen. So when only a few seconds after Future Days ended, I heard Mike start playing the opening chords of Hunger Strike, I literally could not believe it was really happening; I felt like I was in the midst of a fever dream. Then after a few seconds, once I realized it was actually happening, I became outright giddy; I felt like a kid visiting Disney World for the first time. I'm not exaggerating when I say that this was my happiest concert moment of all time. 😀 The unparalleled sense of joy that I felt when Ed started singing, "I don't mind stealin' bread" is indescribable; I can't think of any words that would do it justice. But those of you who were fortunate enough to be there know what I'm talking about. The crowd lost its collective mind. My new friend (who was wearing a matching Soundgarden shirt) and I instinctively embraced one another, and then I hugged my best friend who was on the rail immediately to my left, and then the chain of hugs continued up and down the rail. It was a beautiful, truly cathartic moment. While the whole thing was incredible, probably the most amazing part was during the chorus, Ed came out onto the edge of the bump, stuck the microphone out into the crowd, and had the crowd sing Chris' part. My voice was already completely shot by this point, but I didn’t care- I (along with 15,000 other people) screamed out Chris' part at the top of my lungs (which likely explains why my voice didn't return until several days later 🤣). The crowd was loud the whole show, but this was by far the loudest the crowd was the entire night. The sound in the building was downright deafening; in fact, at one point, my ears popped, and my hearing didn't fully return until two days later.
As much as I wanted the band to play a song in dedication to Chris, I didn't know how I would feel if they actually did it. A part of me was worried that I would be too broken up to actually sing along and appreciate the moment. But this didn't feel sad to me. It felt like a celebration of Chris' life, the immeasurable contributions that he made to music, and the profound impact that he had on all of our lives. I could not have imagined a more perfect tribute to one of the greatest voices in the history of rock n roll. It was a truly amazing moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life. And I am certain that nothing would have made Chris happier than hearing 15,000+ people come together as one to celebrate the immense power of live music and passionately belt out one the most influential and impactful rock songs of the early 90s. 😀❤️
I thought the placement of Hunger Strike in the setlist at the beginning of the encore—right after the Ed solo acoustic number—was brilliant. Hunger Strike literally blew the roof off the place, and the frantic energy didn’t let up for the rest of the show. The raucous energy and nonstop pogoing continued during a blazing version of DTE, during which over 15,000 faithful simultaneously raised their hands up toward the heavens and proclaimed, “Hallelujah, hallelujah!” That was followed by Setting Sun, my second favorite song off DM (next to Upper Hand), and in my opinion, one of the top 15-20 songs they’ve ever written. From the very first time I heard it on the album, I thought it was a very beautiful, moving song, and my opinion of it has only grown since then after hearing it live. Since Ed announced that this was the final show of the DM tour, I was really hoping to get to hear it one more time. So I was over the moon when they did it. And although personally I prefer it as a closer, I thought the placement here worked. The build up during the song to the part where Ed sings, “If you could see what I see now” is epic, especially live. I’d been fortunate to see it a few times before, but this was the most passionate and emotional I’d seen Ed during it, probably because he knew that it would be the last show for a while. As Ed sang out the final line, “Let us not fade,” I thought to myself that I really hope that this song doesn’t fade into obscurity on future tours, as has happened with so many other great songs in the past after the conclusion of their album tours. But even if it does, I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to hear it one last time before it is retired.
During Crazy Mary, Ed came down to the rail and poured wine for the faithful, while the whole crowd blissfully belted out as one, “Take a bottle drink it down, pass it around” and threw their arms up into the sky in unison as Ed sang out, “And Mary rising up above it all.” Everyone on the rail cheersed as we all celebrated our favorite band and the incomparable joy they have brought us not only on this tour, but also over the past 35 years as well. Mike and Boom also traded epic solos while grinning from ear to ear.
The whole building was literally shaking during Lukin from how frantically everybody was jumping up and down, and Alive was cathartic as always. While I’ve heard it a million times before, this time it felt a little different knowing it was the last time we would hear it for a while. And that realization was reflected in the intensity with which Ed and the crowd vociferously and enthusiastically proclaimed over and over again, “I’m still alive!” It felt like a celebration of PJ, the fact that they can still produce such high quality music and live shows after 35 years, the power of live music and the catharsis and emotional release that comes from thousands of likeminded people getting together to scream their lungs out until it fills the room, and life in general.
After Alive, Ed addressed comments that Bruce Springsteen made about President Trump a few days earlier, and Trump’s response. For those of you who haven’t been following the situation, on the opening night of his European tour, Bruce gave a speech criticizing the Trump Administration and several of its policies—including rolling back civil rights laws, defunding various programs that help American workers put food on the table for their families, incarcerating and deporting people without due process of law, and forming alliances with brutal dictators who have made it their mission to oppress freedom—and stated that Trump was unfit to serve as President. In response, Trump lashed out at Bruce, hurling a barrage of insults at him, and calling for an investigation into Bruce’s support of “radical” leftist politicians, including Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. In his speech, Ed prudently (and I’m assuming deliberately) never explicitly mentioned Trump by name, but it was abundantly clear who he was referring to. Ed discussed the importance of free speech and public discourse to democracy, and emphasized that in his response to Bruce’s critique, Trump did not address any of the specific issues that Bruce brought up, but instead simply engaged in a series of personal attacks, threats, and name-calling. He then implored the audience to mobilize to protect and defend free speech and the right to freely express your political views in public without fear of reprisal, to ensure that this critical right still exists when they come back to the microphone in another year or two.
The message that I took from Ed’s speech was this: regardless of your personal political views—whether you are a Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, etc.—as Americans, there are certain universal, uncontroversial ideals that we should not only all agree upon but also cherish, as they are fundamental to the very idea of democracy. These tenets include free and fair elections, freedom of speech, due process of law, equality for all under the law, and checks and balances. These are the ideals that make us uniquely American, and that separate us from the numerous oppressive authoritarian regimes and dictatorships that sadly still exist throughout the world today. While there are many issues that are the subject of legitimate debate, the virtue of democracy itself is not one of them. And freedom of speech is the fundamental linchpin of democracy- without it, all of the other rights that we hold dear and consider essential to the functioning of any true democracy cease to exist. Without the ability to freely engage in public discourse and express our thoughts and opinions on political issues without fear of reprisal from those in power, our government is a “democracy” in name only.
There once was a time when liberals and conservatives used to be able to vigorously—but respectfully—debate political issues ranging from tax and economic policy, to the welfare state, to immigration, to health care reform, to environmental regulation, etc., and then at the end of the day, "agree to disagree," shake hands, and grab a beer together. But now sadly, the age of being able to engage in respectful conversation with one's political rivals seems like a distant memory. Now, primarily as a result of the advent of the 24/7 news cycle, the partisan news media, and social media—in which we are constantly being bombarded with (almost always negative) information—we have allowed politics to become all-consuming and have allowed our political views to completely define our personal identities and our relationships with others, which in turn has destroyed countless formerly close friendships and even families (not to mention made for numerous awkward and uncomfortable moments at Thanksgiving dinner 🦃😬). Political discourse has devolved into a barrage of finger pointing, name-calling, and insults, which has nothing to do with the issues being discussed. Engaging in conversation with our political opponents has been recast as a form of “weakness,” and has instead been replaced by simply yelling across the aisle. While the latter may often be easier and more convenient, it does nothing to actually solve the numerous serious issues facing our country. The ideal of free speech is meaningless if we are unwilling to even try to engage in conversation with those with whom we disagree.
The toxic cesspool that public discourse has transformed into is a truly sad state of affairs, and in one way or another, we are all to blame for letting it get to this point. But all is not lost. What Bruce and Ed are trying to tell us is that we all need to make a concerted effort to return to the age in which we could sit around the Thanksgiving table with people of differing political perspectives and engage in healthy discussion and debate without it devolving into a shouting match. And then afterwards, stuff our faces, cheers some wine, and watch football together without seething at each other for the rest of the evening. When presented with an opinion or viewpoint with which we disagree, instead of instinctively resorting to name-calling, we all need to make more of an effort to understand what that viewpoint actually is, and why they hold it. Rational and respectful political discourse relies on us at least making a legitimate effort to put ourselves in our opponent's shoes, and to try to understand what their motivations are and why they feel the way that they do. Without a return to healthy political discourse, free speech is dead, and democracy as we know it is doomed. If we want to hasten a return to normalcy in our political discourse, it's incumbent upon each and every one of us to make a sincere effort to reach across the aisle and engage in conversation (on the issues) with those with whom we disagree. And even if our current President is unwilling or unable to do so, if we want our democracy to subsist into the future, we need to be the ones to set the example for future generations to follow.
I couldn't have imagined a more fitting song to follow Ed's plea for us to fight to protect and preserve free speech than Uncle Neil's timeless anthem about freedom, Rockin' in the Free World. Ed's profound words led to one of the most inspired and energetic performances of RITFW I've seen in recent memory. This provided one last opportunity for the crowd to rock out to their heart’s desire and shake the building to its very foundation before the tour came to a close, and the faithful happily obliged. 15,000+ faithful enthusiastically jumped, danced, sang, and rocked the building to its core, and Uncle Neil would've been proud. Ed ran around the stage tossing out tambos, and Teen Jesus and some kids (maybe Mike's kids?) came out and gleefully sang and danced along. It was a celebration of friends, family, rock n' roll, and freedom—the freedom to assemble together with likeminded individuals to sing along to our favorite songs, love those whom we want to love, express ourselves to the world without fear of being persecuted or demonized for who we are or what we believe, pursue our own vision of happiness, and live our lives to the fullest. But in light of Ed's speech, it was also a reminder that freedom isn't free: if we want to preserve the rights and freedoms that we've fought so hard to obtain, we can't take them for granted. We need to redouble our efforts to engage in open discussion and to educate others about the importance of our Constitution, our fundamental rights, and democracy itself. One of the most crucial aspects of free speech is taking ourselves outside of our echo chambers and comfort zones, purposefully exposing ourselves to other perspectives and viewpoints that may make us uncomfortable (and that sometimes may even make us cringe), and then engaging in discussion and debate regarding the same. That is the price of free speech, and if we aren't willing to pay it, then this era of toxicity and name-calling—which as Ed rightly said, is beneath us—will persist indefinitely. And when someone threatens the values that we hold dear—free speech, tolerance, equal rights, due process, or even democracy itself—like Bruce and Ed, we cannot be afraid to speak up and call them out. "No tolerance for intolerance. No patience left for impatience no more." 🇺🇲👊
The night then came to a close (or so I thought) with the always emotional Yellow Ledbetter, as we bid farewell to the DM tour and the band that has brought us so much joy and has had such a profound effect on all of our lives. There was a beautiful moment where everyone on the rail put their arms around each other and swayed back and forth in unison as Mike regaled us one last time with his stunning, Hendrix-like guitar riffs. And then as the song was winding down, suddenly without warning, I heard the opening riffs of my favorite song of all time, Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing. I know the band had tagged it a number of times in the past, but they had only played the full version a handful of times before (8 to be exact), so I never in a million years thought I would ever hear it. So when Mike finished the opening solo and Ed went into, "Well she's walking through the clouds," I lost it. I put my head in my hands and hung over the rail in disbelief. Like the guardian angel in the song, I ascended through the roof of the arena to somewhere high above the clouds, and still haven't come back down since. 🙌☁️ Maybe one day I will, or maybe not. But either way, it doesn't matter. Getting to hear my favorite band of all time play my favorite song of all time was a singularly transcendental experience that I will cherish for the rest of my days. ❤️ I could not have possibly imagined a better, more cathartic way to end the show and the tour. And I thought the band's rendition of the song sounded amazing, with Ed's soaring vocals interspersed with Mike's brilliant guitar riffs. And Mike ended the song with an absolutely incredible extended solo, one of the best—if not the best—solos I've ever heard from Mike or anybody else for that matter. And he didn't simply mimic Hendrix; instead, he took Hendrix's foundation and expanded upon it in his own unique way, resulting in a dazzling, celestial solo. It was sublime. The sense of pure, unadulterated joy I felt in that moment is simply indescribable. But I will be forever grateful for the experience. 🙏🙌
And then after Mike finished the final notes and the band took their bows, Ed and Jeff sprayed the audience with champagne. 🍾🥂 Everyone in the band and the crowd was beaming from ear to ear, as we all opened our mouths to try to catch the champagne droplets. It was a moment of pure bliss. What a way to celebrate the end of a truly incredible tour! 😀
It’s always bittersweet when a tour has to come to an end. But when you have to end a tour, this was a masterclass in how to do it. This was as good as it gets, and I feel so fortunate to have been there to experience it with all of you. A sincere thank you to the band who has literally changed my life, has taken me on an all-encompassing trip for 20 years now, and has provided me with so much happiness and joy and so many amazing memories that I can’t even begin to count them. Although I was a little disappointed that I was only able to attend two shows on this leg, I attended a total of 9 shows over the course of the DM tour—Vancouver x2, MSG x2, Philly x2, Fenway N2, and Pittsburgh x2–all of which were amazing in their own way. The band really has aged like a fine wine, and I’m frankly amazed by the high quality of the music they’ve continued to release and the high-energy shows they continue to put on night after night after 35 years. And I didn’t realize it until after the fact, but I actually bookended the tour, seeing the first two shows in Vancouver last May, and the final two shows in Pittsburgh over a year later. It was great getting to see how the DM songs—and the setlists in general—evolved over the course of the tour. It was the experience of a lifetime, and for that I will be forever grateful. 🙏
And lastly, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of the truly wonderful people I have met over the course of my travels during this tour, many of whom I am proud to call my closest friends. For me, the experience is just as much—if not more—about the incredible community of amazing people that PJ has cultivated, as it is about the band and the music itself. I have met so many awesome people from all walks of life from all over the world at the shows, pre-parties, and while exploring the cities, waiting on the GA and merch lines, etc. It’s truly remarkable how PJ has brought together such a large and diverse group of people of different ages, backgrounds, and experiences, and from all different parts of the world, all of whom are united by their shared love of this band. And there’s nothing quite like gathering together with thousands of other likeminded members of the faithful to celebrate this band, their music, and the indelible impact that they have had on each of our lives. For those 2 1/2 hours, all of the divisiveness, problems, and worries in our own lives and in the world in general disappear, and nothing else matters except for our mutual adoration and reverence for PJ. We sing and scream our lungs out, dance our asses off, laugh and cry together, our voices rise together as one, and at least for a brief moment, we are all one and the world is at peace. ☮️ It’s a beautiful thing, and the world could use a lot more of it, especially in these challenging times. And it serves as an important reminder that we all have a lot more in common than those who seek to manipulate and divide us for their own benefit would have us believe. I will miss all of you wonderful people even more than I miss the band. I miss you already, I miss you always. 😀 See you all next time around the bend. Until we meet again, peace, love, and Pearl Jam! ✌️❤️🎸🤘
Comments
Phila, PA 4/28/16; Phila, PA 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22;
Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; Phila, PA 9/7/24; Phila, PA 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24; Pittsburgh 5/16/25; Pittsburgh 5/18/25
Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
Phila, PA 4/28/16; Phila, PA 4/29/16; Fenway Park 8/7/16; Fenway Park 9/2/18; Asbury Park 9/18/21; Camden 9/14/22;
Las Vegas 5/16/24; Las Vegas 5/18/24; Phila, PA 9/7/24; Phila, PA 9/9/24; Baltimore Arena 9/12/24; Pittsburgh 5/16/25; Pittsburgh 5/18/25
Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
Our Future Days: 30 Years, 2 Nights, and a Lifetime of Gratitude
Unreal…
Back in January, my wife Melissa and I wrote to the band and asked if they might play Future Days in Pittsburgh for us to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We shared a little about our journey together — the challenges we’ve faced, and how their music has been a constant source of strength, hope, and healing through it all (and provided Brandt with 12 PJ tattoos along the way).
On Sunday, Eddie sat down, played a few notes from Future Days, and spoke about Franco Harris, his son Dr. Harris, Pittsburgh, tough times, and then about his own future days with Jill and his daughters. We couldn’t believe it when he then said, “but then I got a note that there’s someone else in the crowd tonight. Brandt and Melissa and they’re going to one up us with their 30th anniversary. So happy anniversary to ya. Much love.” And Eddie gave us a little wave. We cried and danced through the entire song — and we’re still crying when we play it again now.
Thank you, Eddie and Pearl Jam, for playing Future Days. This song encapsulates the love, devotion, pain, grief, trauma, and unrelenting commitment between two people. It tells a story of us and touches our souls. We are so honored to get our request and be mentioned.
This year, we celebrate 30 years together, 10 years of Brandt being cancer-free, and finally no more surgeries scheduled. We’ve gotten through all the muck together, and we’re stronger because of it.
Believe… it’s possible.
And just as unforgettable as the PJ music, were the amazing people we met Friday-Monday. The fantastic fans we stood in line with for 10 hours for merch — Keith from Atlanta, we loved hanging with you. The wonderful couple from Erie, PA who sat beside us, the woman from Jersey in our hotel chasing Inside Job, my big-bearded friend from Tasmania who traveled halfway around the world, and so many others whose kindness, stories, and shared love for this band made these nights even more meaningful. This community is truly something special.
Two fantastic shows, Pittsburgh!!
I believe. I believe ’cause I can see. Our future days. Days of you and me.
From the bottom of our hearts — thank you, Pearl Jam. And thank you to this incredible Ten Club family we’re so proud to be a part of.
Brandt & Melissa
2006 - Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)
2006 - Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)
2013 - Consol Energy Center (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
2016 - Wells Fargo Center - (N2) "Ten Show" (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
2022 - Freedom Mortgage Pavilion (Camden, New Jersey)
2024 - Wells Fargo Center (N1 & N2) (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
2025 - PPG Paints Arena (N1 & N2) (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)