Intense, Intense, Intense.....
Oct 19 '00
I have seen Pearl Jam in concert now four times, the latest last night (10/18/00) sitting in the first row center section, directly in front of Eddie Vedder in Lubbock, Texas. As well as seeing Pearl Jam four times, I have been to many, many concerts ranging from country to rap to hard core metal. A Pearl Jam show by far is the most intense concert experience I have ever witnessed.
The band is obviously not big on flashy light shows, tons of pyrotechnics, and flashy props on stage. The stage is set in a subtle, comfortable, quiet, yet intimate and classy set up. The normal guitar stands, microphones and drum set are set up close to the front of the stage which makes it easier for the audience to view the show.
In each one of the four shows that I have seen, the setlists have been complete with atleast 25 songs per show. Clearly when you go to a Pearl Jam show you go to listen to the music, sing along with the band and get caught up in the aura that Pearl Jam puts out on stage. There is very little talking by Eddie on stage and when he does speak on stage he speaks his mind and audience hangs on with every word. The set lists are comprised of songs both old and new. The band mixes the the set list nicely with songs that average fan would certainly know (Black, Yellow Ledbetter, Daughter, Betterman, Corduroy, Evenflow etc.) as well as special treats for the die hard Pearl Jam fans in the audience (God's Dice, Rival, U, Lukin, Hail Hail, Footsteps). You never really know what you are getting next from the band, their set lists vary night to night and with the strum of the first chord the next song is always a mystery! The band often plays one large first set and follows up with two good size encores.
The bands performance in the concert setting is as well performed as I have ever seen. The music is played beautifully and right on key and note on every song. Mike McCready plays awesome guitar solos, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament play infamous Peal Jam riffs that absolutely make the songs as great as they are. The current drummer is Matt Cameron formally with the band Soundgarden, he flat out rocks the skins, no question.
The real center piece and performer in the band is Eddie Vedder. I personally have NEVER seen a performer in a musical setting give as much energy and sheer devotion to each song in each show as Eddie Vedder. When Vedder hits the stage there is absolutely NO QUESTION that he is giving 100% and EVERYTHING he has out on the stage. His veins are popping out of his neck, his eyes are rolling back into his head and you often see him so intense that he works himself into a frenzy and looses his balance on stage! What is so amazing to me about Eddie as a performer is not only how intense he is up on stage but while he is on stage he reads the audience like a book, he looks around, reads signs, picks up T-Shirts, all with intensity in his performance like you have NEVER SEEN. Vedder is a showman, he is odd, mysterious, and musically talented beyond belief.
The Pearl Jam shows I have been to have been safe, no moshing or fighting. At the Dallas show the band even cutoff beer sales at 9:30pm, over an hour before the show ended. Expect a full house, sold out show, but you will be safe and for the most part the crowd is peaceful and polite.
A Pearl Jam show is an experience, an experience that if you are in the right mood and the band is right on, the show can almost be entrancing. Pearl Jam is currently on tour, if they are coming to your area, make a point in going to catch a show. You will not be disappointed, if you are not a huge fan before the show, you probably will be after the show! Be prepared for an intensity factor that is off the charts, intensity that IS Pearl Jam.
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Epinions.com ID:
Techsan
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Member: Todd
Location: Tulsa, OK
Reviews written: 44
Trusted by: 17 members
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