[NWOntario]

Anyone here walking the long road to see Pearl Jam this summer? After much deft negotiation with my wife and boss I'm going to both Wrigley shows. I haven't seen Pearl Jam in over two years, which is an eternity by my standards, and I haven't seen them at Wrigley in five years - so I have great expectations.

[direwolf74]

Still one of my favorite bands of all time. It's great that they're still out there touring all the time, and their live show never disappoints. But fer christ sakes, when's the new album coming out?? This has been the longest gap ever between PJ records (going on 5 years now). Seriously, just put the damn thing out already. They're almost becoming worse than U2 in that respect.

Enjoy the Wrigley shows! I expect a full review when you get back.

[Escape@Hand]

Going to both Seattle shows...I have an extra ticket for night 2 if anyone is interested! Looking forward to them, they should be great shows. And yes, when is a new album coming out? It's been way too long!

[direwolf74]

Looks like the band's latest poster from the Missoula show has ruffled a few feathers. Mostly Republicans, lol.

It'll be fun to see if Trump rage tweets about this.

[sean.bonner]

Also, Jack White covered Daughter last night in Seattle!

[NWOntario]

Also, Jack White covered Daughter last night in Seattle!

...and Pearl Jam (or, well, Ed) covered "We're Going to Be Friends" in Seattle and Chicago, and in Chicago he basically propositioned Jack White (who wasn't there) from the stage.

Anyway, the Wrigley shows were great - but the second one (which was preceded by a 90-minute rain delay which, for those keeping track, is the second time it's happened to Pearl Jam at Wrigley and, most importantly, to me seeing Pearl Jam at Wrigley) was spectacular, maybe even a top-five all-time Pearl Jam show for me (I'm at 43 shows now). The opening run was the kind of flat-out, balls-to-the-wall run of songs I wish Pearl Jam did more often; the rain during "Given to Fly" was perfectly timed (thanks, Gord!). The Rain/TYHD/Even Flow/U sequence was brilliant. But that second encore...I mean, Smile/Evil Little Goat (lol wut)/Leash/Alive/Baba? That was bliss. We didn't get back to our Airbnb till 1:15 and woke up three hours later for the flight back to Toronto (and then I went straight to the office). I'd do it again tomorrow.

Night one was great, although it didn't hit the same highs in my mind. However, there was a point where my wife had seen Pearl Jam twice and heard "Breath" and "Alone" twice, which we enjoyed. The night one crowd wasn't as good, either - there seemed to be a lot of disinterested people near us, which is odd, since we were in Ten Club seats and I've got a pretty decent number (the woman in front of us was on Facebook the entire night). That said, it was Pearl Jam at Wrigley on a beautiful Saturday night, and it was mine and my wife's first Pearl Jam show since our wedding. Also, the version of "Corduroy" they played that evening is an all-timer.

OH. And the Chris Cornell cover was a highlight. But dang, is it ever hard hearing that band (with that drummer) playing that man's songs. One year later and I'm still nowhere near able to listen to his music again.

[direwolf74]

Great review! Too bad about the disinterested fans in your section. Over the years I've noticed that long-time Ten Clubbers can act a little spoiled sometimes, which isn't all that surprising if you've been to 60+ shows while sitting in primo seats every single time. I was in the TC for a little while and managed to see the band 5 times before I let my membership lapse a couple years ago, but I've never once taken PJ for granted. I consider it a privilege to see a band of that caliber in concert. What's the point of even going if you're gonna spend the entire night on your phone? That woman on Facebook should have given up her ticket to somebody who actually gives a damn.

**end of rant**


Anyway, thanks for sharing! Glad you had a good time, and I'm happy to hear the band are still firing on all cylinders. Hopefully we'll get a new album sooner than later.

[NWOntario]

Great review! Too bad about the disinterested fans in your section. Over the years I've noticed that long-time Ten Clubbers can act a little spoiled sometimes, which isn't all that surprising if you've been to 60+ shows while sitting in primo seats every single time. I was in the TC for a little while and managed to see the band 5 times before I let my membership lapse a couple years ago, but I've never once taken PJ for granted. I consider it a privilege to see a band of that caliber in concert. What's the point of even going if you're gonna spend the entire night on your phone? That woman on Facebook should have given up her ticket to somebody who actually gives a damn.

**end of rant**


Anyway, thanks for sharing! Glad you had a good time, and I'm happy to hear the band are still firing on all cylinders. Hopefully we'll get a new album sooner than later.

After 2016/17 I will never, ever, ever take a band for granted ever again.

And I won't complain about setlists, either. Like...I've seen Pearl Jam 43 times. I've heard some of their songs a lot. I don't like hearing some of them; I don't like hearing "Black" or "Better Man," for instance. And I will never complain about hearing either of them ever again, not after spending so many years complaining about stale Hip setlists. What I wouldn't give for the lamest Hip setlist ever right now.

[potsie]

And I won't complain about setlists, either. Like...I've seen Pearl Jam 43 times. I've heard some of their songs a lot. I don't like hearing some of them; I don't like hearing "Black" or "Better Man," for instance. And I will never complain about hearing either of them ever again, not after spending so many years complaining about stale Hip setlists. What I wouldn't give for the lamest Hip setlist ever right now.

Great review, but tired of hearing "Black"? "Better Man" I understand, but if I was at a PJ concert and they played nothing but "Black" 20 times in a row, I'm still leaving happy. That song never grows old for me, especially the audience participation on "Oh, I'm spinning".

[direwolf74]

If there's one PJ staple I'm completely sick of, it's Rockin' in the Free World. I get that they love playing it, but it's time for them to give it a rest. At least for one tour.

[Tthip]

I'm completely sick of, it's Rockin' in the Free World. I get that they love playing it, but it's time for them to give it a rest. .

It's not just PJ with me. I really never liked this song at all by anyone

[sean.bonner]

Now 'Fuckin' Up'.... there's a Neil cover that absolutely rips.

Give me that over RITFW anyday. Hell, give me Fuckin' Up over Yellow Ledbetter.

[direwolf74]

Now 'Fuckin' Up'.... there's a Neil cover that absolutely rips.

Give me that over RITFW anyday. Hell, give me Fuckin' Up over Yellow Ledbetter.

Their version of Fuckin' Up from Live on Two Legs easily rivals Uncle Neil's. Love that song!

[jonprice34]

I’m hoping they announce a Toronto ( or close by) show soon.

[mark]

If there's one PJ staple I'm completely sick of, it's Rockin' in the Free World. I get that they love playing it, but it's time for them to give it a rest. At least for one tour.

for me it's Even Flow. great song, but it needs a rest.