I've been to shows (not PJ) where people can see the setlist from the front row and shout out what the next song will be.

It happens a fair bit at Pj shows and it's usually a certain 'element' of the touring fans. Pit people if you will.
It's almost as annoying as those groups with flags over their heads. For the whole show.

I have never seen that, though I must admit, in Chicago in 2009 when I saw Stone pick up a bass, I'm pretty sure I said something like, "holy shit, they're playing smile!"

sorry to hear you didn't enjoy it. i thought the band were pretty great in melb and syd.

I think it was just an off night.

They tried hard but it was just too hot and the flow of the main set wasn't really coming together. Things picked up from Jeremy onwards, the last third of the show was actually pretty great.

Man those gigs are frustrating as a performer. At least it came together at some stage.

How was MFS?

It was okay.

The crowd didn't respond to it at all and, while it was the tightest version they've played so far, it still sounds really weak in the lower key. I was really happy (and surprised) they played it though.

Yeah you were lucky to get that one. I found Getaway in Sydney to be as you described. The lower key really detracts from the riffs.

btw did Ed play up the fact he had a bottle of wine? I was just listening to Pittsburg and after all the wine talk in Sydney it seems that he's doing this every show. He's not 15.

usually you guys get pretty awesome shows over there, so i guess an off night was due. are you seeing any eddie solo shows, spen?

He's not coming through Adelaide, so nope.

I might add that my wife and a few of my friends, none of whom had seen the band before, thought they were amazing.

She enjoyed it way more than I did.

Neutral observers that I've spoken to were blown away. They also got a great review from the local rag.

I think for the average punter it was great - plenty of hits and well-known songs) mixed in with some new stuff - but there wasn't that injection of a Whipping, Untitled/MFC, In Hiding, Not For You, Present Tense type song that would have really grabbed the diehards. Instead we got WWS, Got Some, MFS.

Having said that, we got full It's OK tag.

I dunno. I just walked away flat.

Ugh, wish we hadn't (though I know most people love it).

Looking again at the setlist:


The first three songs were a good, strong opening but that whole section from Lightning Bolt up until Even Flow really didn't go over well (particularly Got Some > MFS > Eruption). Whatever energy they'd built up early on totally disippated.

We were 6-7 deep in front of Mike but bailed to the back during Given to Fly as it was just too hot jammed in with all those sweaty bodies. We went to get some water and watched the rest of the main set from a distance.

Came back down for the encores and hung out near the back of the D in the middle, the sound was much better back there than closer up.


Me too.

I've loved every other Pearl Jam show I've seen, this one just didn't feel the same for whatever reason. Oh well, they can't all be winners; I just hope it's not another 4-5 year wait til the next one.

We're just jaded and cynical.

I was jaded and cynical in 2009 and thought the show I saw on that tour was mind-blowing!

I was genuinely really looking forward to the show, it just didn't come together like the previous times I'd seen the band.

Adelaide Oval 2009 was absolutely epic.

Agreed.

Why Go (distant video but sound is decent):



Eruption > Even Flow:



Daughter/(It's OK):



Better Man:



Little Wing w/ Ed on drums:

Comedy gold with EV on the kit there.

didn't he play drums on into the wild? like.. i thought the dude could actually drum.

He did.

Most of the times i saw him play drums it wasnt good though...even with Hovercraft.