So, I didn’t get around to writing my usual nonsense last night, because J-Kerm and I were in the United Center watching Pearl Jam blow the fucking doors off the place. I’m a slouch in comparison to J-Kerm when it comes to my Pearl Jam fandom. However, I have seen Pearl Jam in concert at least a handful of times, and I have seen Eddie Vedder perform once solo.
Last night’s concert blew every other time away.
Though J-Kerm would have you believe “State of Love and Trust” is Pearl Jam’s best song, it is clearly second-best behind “Corduroy.” No matter. Both were played last night. In fact, Eddie kindly bookended the night with them, as “Corduroy” was the second song he played, and “State of Love and Trust” was third from last in his second encore. The entire setlist was a fantastic mix of old and new. During the two encores, there were at least four or five songs (including awesome covers of “Fuckin’ Up” and “Crazy Mary,” the aforementioned “State of Love and Trust,” and the best rendition of “Better Man” I’ve ever heard) at the end of which I thought to myself, “No way can they top that. That has to be the finale.” But they just kept. On. Playing. My ability to critique music is wholly nonexistent, but suffice it to say that not only was this the best Pearl Jam concert I’ve ever seen, it was easily one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.
Since Eddie is a REAL Cubs fan (fuck you, Cusack), at the beginning of the first encore, he came out and talked about how much he loves coming back to Chicago and sitting in the bleachers at Wrigley Field (for which he was greeted by a hilariously conflicted round of boos from the White Sox fans around me). I expected him to play “Someday We’ll Go All the Way” after making the comment, but he didn’t.
The only real disappointment of the night was the fact that these shirts apparently sold out almost immediately.
If you’re interested in seeing the entire setlist, here you go.
was it me or did the crowd look like it was shipped in from the Cell?
the kicker came before the show when a dude with hair like matt dillon in singles walks up to the 1st floor cuervo bar where the sox game is on in a jordan jersey, no shirt, camo shorts and a fitted leather Sox hat turned backward.
Black.
The “drunk-grandpa-with-a-mouth-full-of-half-chewed-steak” mumbled vocals of “Yellow Ledbetter” can be topped only by the sweet Mike McReady main riff and solo in the same masterpiece. “Make me cry…”
What, no Jeremy?
“The Real Me” is awesome (as long as the singer and bassist are up to the task, no problem here), but is a great kickoff song, surprised he didn’t start the encore with it.
Still, sounds like it was almost as good as Nickelback.
@Fork – You don’t like Pearl Jam? I’m stunned.
haha…yea right, that was no “contact” high. They don’t call her “J-Kerm” for nothing.
I was at the Sunday night show, which also kicked ass.
BTW, i think Eddie is singing the stretch tonight.
People still go to concerts??
State of Love and Trust is only the 2nd best Pearl Jam song on the Singles soundtrack. Breath.
@yosh – J-Kerm and I people watched in the concourse instead of watching the majority of the terrible Bad Religion set. It made for some excellent theater.
Corduroy is an awesome song. No way near as big a fan as you, BK, but my fav has got to be Rearview Mirror. That whole damn album is pretty sweet. Ah, memories.
@Moon – Where do you live? The moon?
I was there as well last night. Awesome show. What made it even better was the fact that the porn star Shayla Stylez sat in the seat directly in front of me, dressed like she took her work home with her. I’ll tell you what, porn star people watching, at a concert no less, is second to none.
23? Eddie Vedder is dead to me. Then again he was dead to me the day he threw out the first pitch in cincy vs. the cubs wearing full reds regalia.
8 would’ve been the cat’s ass however.
@BillyLikesSoda – …nice.
Gotsta luv dat “Eve Plumb’s Flow” song. As a fan o’ da Brady’s, tha’s ol’ Lynn’s fa-vo-rite!
LYNN’S BIN O’ GREAT MOMENTS IN CUBS HISTORY:
Did you know the Cubs once allowed 4, count ‘em FOUR, stolen bases on one pitch?!? Cardinals vs. Cubs, August 1, 1985 at Wrigley. Vince Coleman on 2nd, Willie “E.T.” McGee on 1st. Coleman steals 3rd & E.T. steals 2nd, but Coleman overslides the bag. Coleman gets up and gets caught in a rundown between 3rd and home. Cey throws home to Jody, Jody throws back to Cey at 3rd, Cey looks to throw home to…nobody. In a classic Cubs f@*k-up, both Scott “OW, MY F@*KIN’ BACK!” Sanderson and Leon “OW, MY F@*KIN’ HAMSTRINGS!” Durham neglect to cover home. Coleman scoots across the plate with the Penguin in distant pursuit. E.T. trails the play and takes 3rd easily.
Hee. I haven’t been to a rock concert in 20 years. And I think Pearl Jam was playing somewhere in Chicago the same week.
@Moon –
Fair enough, who did you see at your last show?
Do you think the complete ass-hander last night from the worst team in baseball will be enough for chicago.cubs.mlb.com to finally remove the totally ridiculous “Be there as Cubs’ push for the playoffs continues” ticket pimping link from the header?
What I meant was, anyone need 4 for Saturday, Sept 12, 12:05 against the Reds?
@Grow Stubs Grow – I noticed last night on WGN radio that they took the lyrics “It’s our year” out of that annoying pregame intro song.
I heard that was part of the Ricketts deal. @Chris P -
Probably Zappa. Definitely Zappa.
I actually know someone who is, GSG. Seriously.
E-mail me: huecub@gmail.com
Jesus, nice second encore. Personally, I’m tired of the whole “encore” schtick, but that’s a nice set list nonetheless.