*** Pearl Jam - PJ 20 Show 2 Fanviews Here ***

[slightofjeff]

For me, a few of the songs they played Saturday aren't that far removed from Bugs.

The problem with Night 1 is that it was too short, even at 2:30 or 2:45. After Cornell did his thing, Pearl Jam has played a bunch of covers and obscure songs, there wasn't much time left for much else.

The approach wasn't all that different in Night 2. There was just more time to include more crowd-pleasers.

That said, Night 1 did include Betterman, SOLAT, Porch, Breath, DTE ... songs even those who lost track of the band at the turn of the century would still recognize. On top of that, I thought Education and Setting Forth kicked major ass, and I've always thought Push Me, Pull Me was a vastly underrated song (if Ed sang the verses instead of spoke them, it would be a fan favorite).

In the Moonlight has always been a little "meh" for me.

[vant0037]

So I haven't had a computer for the last 3 days, so I haven't been checking this at all...but here it is, Thursday after the 2nd night, and I'm still blown away.

Night 2 was amazing. Fucking incredible. So much energy. We had lawn seats for Night 2, and rather than fight it out for a good spot up close, my wife and I stayed back on the hill, right in front of the 10c section at the top of the hill, and rocked the fuck out. Seriously...such a great time. Although it was cold as fuck, sound was great, setlist was amazing and it was an awesome, awesome time. A+++++++ in my opinion.

[whygohome]

So I haven't had a computer for the last 3 days, so I haven't been checking this at all...but here it is, Thursday after the 2nd night, and I'm still blown away.

Night 2 was amazing. Fucking incredible. So much energy. We had lawn seats for Night 2, and rather than fight it out for a good spot up close, my wife and I stayed back on the hill, right in front of the 10c section at the top of the hill, and rocked the fuck out. Seriously...such a great time. Although it was cold as fuck, sound was great, setlist was amazing and it was an awesome, awesome time. A+++++++ in my opinion.

A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[morello]

*WAVES TO ALL MY FRIENDS*!!!

So, my 1st time on here since the weekend, sorry since THE weekend & what an AMAZING weekend it was. I'm going to ignore any & all bitching because it was AMAZING! Night 1 seemed short but I think that was more because it just few by because it was so fabulous & night 2 blew my mind! I was really scared for a few minutes there they weren't going to play Ledbetter so when Mike busted it out I cried like a baby, tears streaming down my face!

So fabulous meeting so many 10 clubbers, so cool seeing the other bands, LOVED the museum actually seeing those things - original mammason(sp?), Ed's notebooks, whole collection of vinyl, oh everything else.....

I'll have more to post when I'm back I'm sure, got 100+ e-mails, thread & facebook updates to catch up on but yeah, AMAZING!

Oh seriously sucked about having to throw away my NZ flag though, especially when Ed then did a shout out to all the international people & I couldn't hold my flag up. Big frown at APV on that + I was too slow to go & hide behind a car & hide it in my shorts or something.

Whirlwind 2 & half days in NYC, Chicago for me tonight then home tomorrow. What a trip!

[EVolutionbaby]

That was my favorite PJ concert ever by far. The mood was incredible. I really didn't care at all what they played. Each song was performed so well and with so much energy. It's so great to see that many people focused on the same thing, singing the same lines, pointing to the sky at the same times, etc. It's a beautiful thing! What a great band, and what great fans. We seem to have lucked out in getting hooked on PJ. Other band-fan relations just don't seem to compare. Something about PJ's music got us hooked in a way that I think is unique. The connection is very deep. This concert, more than any other I've attended, really highlighted the amazing relationship between the band and its fans. I'm so proud of both.

Well put to sum up my own feelings about the whole weekend! I haven't been to a PJ show since Lollapalooza 2007 & this weekend gave my mind a much needed refresher on why I do LOVE this band. I can't thank them enough for this weekend and the last 20 years of music. Music that has been there for me, through thick & thin, happy & sad times, they always get me through. I didn't go to Alpine to be able to say I saw the most epic setlist performed or for any other reason but to see PEARL JAM & what they wanted to do. They were having so much fun performing FOR US, and that just made my whole year complete!

This weekend was my brother's first PJ concert. He is a huge music/band/concert freak, just never made it to a PJ show before, for whatever reasons. Hearing his description of MAGICAL after night 1 made me cry, FINALLY someone in my family understands my PJ obsession!!!!
For me, I all ready knew it would be magical & 'epic' but to hear from a complete 1st timer how magical he felt it was, he was amazed by the energy of the crowd. His quote "from the moment pj took the stage the relationship & brotherhood between the fans & the band was very apparent, and that was even more apparent on night 2."

I would also like to thank my friend Dan for hooking me up with some awesome seats for night 2!
I was pretty impressed with the Alpine Valley staff & the Live Nation security folks, they did a great job, in my opinion!
Mostly THANK YOU PEARL JAM for everything you do and everything you are and for PJ20!!!!

[Professor Earthtones]

this was my 26th PJ concert...my 6 friends and I had lawn seats; we were 5-10 rows back in the center of the lawn.

Since I was standing for a long time, my body did not allow me to get a boner when PJ opened with "Wash". This song was #1 on my "Haven't Seen Live" list. A few songs later, they played Pilate, which contains one of my favorite 15 second segments (love the bridge!). I finally got to yell "I never sucked Satan's DICK!", so that was also fun. "It's Okay" was great; I saw it a few times in 2000, but this blew those away. Once again, Liam Finn rocked my ass off. His Galifinakis-like presence on stage, combined with some quality vocals, created a highly entertaining experience. "No Way" was great to hear live.

I was glad to see Chris Cornell come back, not for me, but for my friends who didn't attend the previous night. I appreciated the rarity of the performances, but I could have done without them in lieu of some more PJ songs. Around this time, Chris Cornell murdered my ear drums. I sat significantly closer night 1, but my position night 2 was SIGNIFICANTLY LOUDER. I play loud rock music in a band, and I'm ashamed to admit that the noise got to me a little bit.

In some form of miracle, we got out of the lot in about 3 minutes; I'm still in shock.

All in all, a GREAT WEEKEND! Chris Cornell, rare songs, and LIAM FINN made these concerts something I hope to never forget! Thanks PJ.

[VespertineSun]

Mike totally blew me away both nights. His energy was amazing. I have always crushed on Eddie but I think Mike is now edging his way in!

The thing I really noticed both nights was how they performed every song like it was the first time it had ever been played. That is the sign of true artists.


v

[whygohome]

Mike totally blew me away both nights. His energy was amazing. I have always crushed on Eddie but I think Mike is now edging his way in!

v

Here, here!!

[pjl44]

For me, a few of the songs they played Saturday aren't that far removed from Bugs.

The problem with Night 1 is that it was too short, even at 2:30 or 2:45. After Cornell did his thing, Pearl Jam has played a bunch of covers and obscure songs, there wasn't much time left for much else.

The approach wasn't all that different in Night 2. There was just more time to include more crowd-pleasers.

That said, Night 1 did include Betterman, SOLAT, Porch, Breath, DTE ... songs even those who lost track of the band at the turn of the century would still recognize. On top of that, I thought Education and Setting Forth kicked major ass, and I've always thought Push Me, Pull Me was a vastly underrated song (if Ed sang the verses instead of spoke them, it would be a fan favorite).

In the Moonlight has always been a little "meh" for me.

Totally forgot about Setting Forth. The full band version of that sounded fantastic.

[DOWNer]

Des Plaines shuttle bus waited extra for a fan from Mexico, but he never made it. I hope he found another way. Shuttle bus died at least 3 times at the beginning of the trip, but we eventually got to Alpine Valley.

Good timing, too. As soon as we walked in and looked around for a minute, I heard Eddie singing with Liam Finn and saw the crowd surge towards the stage. Morgan and I walked around to get a good look, but to no avail. then we get to wondering how he gets around from that stage to the main one. She spots the barrier with people lined up w/ cameras and we look at each other, shrug, and head that way. After a short wait, I see a golf cart heading our way. There's a guy in the passenger seat - he's got great posture and immediately think, "is that Matt?" IT WAS! and I was quick enough with the camera to snap a pic.

Now we're hooked so we stick around a little longer. Then Boom went by! He threw us the Hang Loose sign and I got a photo of that too. On his way back to the main stage area he waved some more. He seemed like a very happy and nice guy.

A little later and a van with tinted windows went by and we couldn't see any one but the driver. We joked about Eddie hiding from us in the back. Some of the crowd at the barrier dropped off. Maybe 20 people standing around and then a Dodge minivan comes rolling up. The back window on our side is down and Eddie's smiling face is shining out at us. He's got on sunglasses and throwing a peace sign. I'm sure I was very "deer in the headlights" but hopefully there was at least a dopy grin, too. The car was moving pretty slowly, so I'm sure he had time to take each of us in and that gives me the shivers. I snapped to just as he passed and remembered to shout, "thank you!" Both my sister (she promised me that I'm not just fantasizing) and I saw him nod his head in acknowledgement of my expression of gratitude. ~swoon~ I just had an interaction with Eddie Vedder!!!!!

I'm sure people are giggling at my overreaction to some trivial contact, but I've never had an opportunity to meet these guys and all I've wanted to do for a very long time is say thank you. I am delighted that I was finally able to do that at their birthday party and to get to say it to Ed was just icing on the cake.

My sister and I milled around a bit longer while we recovered and got to talking to a really fun couple next to us. (Michelle, we really enjoyed meeting you and your husband and didn't think you were crazy at all! ) By then just the four of us were standing around and along comes Mike on a cart! We were all mad cheesing and waving and he waved back. I love Mike and how he seems to get the biggest kick out of us fans! That was by far the best and most exciting part of my day. I am pretty sure that getting to interact with these guys was a once in a lifetime deal; I couldn't have lucked out with a more appropriate time.

Afterward, we spent two hours in line to see the museum - tiring but worth it. I was most tickled to see Jeff's hats and Eddie's composition books. we grabbed dinner and our lawn seats in time to watch The Strokes. Finished a beer and then Pearl Jam time!

Another effing kick-ass night!!! 11 new-to-me songs (I'm on show #8 at this point), 2 covers I didn't know and 1 new song. Plus all the awesome sing along songs. And more TOTD. I was just a little bummed to hear the repeats, I'll be honest. But that's what you get, guys, when you spoil us so good! Oh, and one of my top 3 dream songs got crossed off this night - Leatherman!!!!! I couldn't believe it. heehee. I freaking LOVED the opener and was in heaven during the It's Ok tag. The other songs I was super-excited about seeing are: Habit (Liam Finn nailed it!!) Red Mosquito, Satan's Bed, Nothingman, No Way, Smile, & All Night Thing.

Thank you guys from Toledo for scooting up our way and making me feel less like the weirdo for woo-hooing and shaking my ass.

What an amazing weekend! I'll never be the same. I can't stop thinking about it. I told my husband that I would be floating for about a week, gradually weaning myself from the PJ as I get back to normal. Tomorrow I have to scrub the PJ20 paint of the back of his car.

[clucas40]

Cheers!

AMAZING!! Both PJ20 shows were beyond fantastic... loved both shows!! Thank you Pearl Jam for giving us such an awesome weekend, we feel so lucky to have been able to travel over from Australia and experience this sensational weekend with our two sons (Jett 8 and Hunter 6) it's been a total blast! Thank you... thank you... thank you! You guys are the best!!!!!

G8 vibe, onya sandgropers!!!

[eldarion75]

some really excellent stuff here:
http://www.orderinthesound.com/3-4-sept ... ic-theatre

[crober72]

Been almost a week....been listening to PJ non-stop since. Had time to think about the shows and digest a little. Still feel like Night 1 was the more "special" of the two sets even if it was a bit shorter. Had seats for that night, and the crowd just blew me away. Longtime fan but newbie to the live thing, so first time hearing Release live....the way the arms when up and everyone sang along with "I'll ride the wave where it takes me..." Knew right then it was perhaps one of the greatest concerts that I'll ever see. I hate to throw out a cliche, but Saturday was almost a religious experience.

My original impression of Sunday was that it was a little disjointed...kind of like they were trying to find the right mix of more obscure tracks with playing a selection of the "hits" that everyone wanted to see. Also didn't care for the song played w/ John Doe. And wished they'd have mixed it up with Cornell a bit more, or just played Hunger Strike and Crown of Throns and moved on.

In hindsight, I think my original assessment was colored a bit by the fact that Saturday blew me away (more than I expected it to) and that I prefer seats to the lawn. CANNOT wait for the boots to become available, because I need to relive these shows. Ultimately, this was a special weekend of great music played by a truly great band that has some of the greatest and most passionate fans that you'll find. To have this band to follow for 20 years is pretty amazing, all the more so because they don't seem to be showing any signs of slowing down.

[Vedder_Girl77]

So hard to decide which of the 2 nights were better...another great set list...loved hearing Love Boat Captian & Habit. An all around good time.

The band was on fire! I saw some cameras filming these shows so hopefully they get released on DVD eventually. I'd definitely like to relive these shows again!

[EdsonNascimento]

So hard to decide which of the 2 nights were better...another great set list...loved hearing Love Boat Captian & Habit. An all around good time.

The band was on fire! I saw some cameras filming these shows so hopefully they get released on DVD eventually. I'd definitely like to relive these shows again!

Why do you have to decide? I think the whole thing was meant as a package anyway. What was it 5:45 of Pearl Jam with at MLB/TOTD reunion mixed in for about 45 minutes of that?

That's the mistake I think a lot of the nay sayers are making (among others). This was not 1 2:40 minute show and a 3:05 minute show (or whatever they were about) with TOTD for 20-25 minutes or so each night. It was a 6 hour Pearl Jam concert that they shared with a nod to their history without whom.... Eddie's tribute to Matt and commenting on Jeff and Stone 25 AFTER the PJ20 were the perfect examples of this. He knows he and Mike get most of the public attention. But, he knows even better that without that stuff going all the way back to Andy Wood - he would not be in the position he is in now. And he wants EVERYONE to know that. The fact is, as Chris also showed, Jeff and Stone (and Matt and Mike) owe Eddie a great debt of gratitude because without his songwriting and charisma, they are probably not at the pinnacle they are at either. So, it all works.

And that's what this weekend was about. I wasn't at Philly. I wasn't at MSG. I wasn't at the Gorge. But, I can tell you, I find it EXTREMELY hard to believe those experiences even in their entirety comes within whatever distance it took us all to travel there of this weekend. And the concert(s) were the center piece. The 6 freakin hour concert Pearl Jam put on plus the 18 other hours their friends put on with them taking guests shots all over the place. Hasn't been matched, yet. Will be very tough to match even if they decide to do somthing similar in the future because this was the first. And regardless of what they do, this will always be the standard by which future endeavors will be compared.

I'm glad they made it to when it all got good....