Set List: Corduroy, Hail Hail, Brain of J., Even Flow, Given To Fly, Do The Evolution, Wishlist, Better Man/(Save It For Later) dedicated to Bill Clinton

Photo credit: Sher Menhart (pearllover@aol.com)

Mark Spoof (markspoof@aol.com)
Pearl Jam sounded in top shape at the Tibetan Freedom concert on June 14th. They walked out from behind the curtain, smiling, and I knew we were in for a treat. Stone was jumping up and down before a note was struck.

The opener, "Corduroy", was its usual, barn-burning self, with the band flying all over the stage, and clearly enjoying themselves. Next up was "Hail, Hail", with some slightly altered lyrics. When he reached the point in the song, Ed raised his hands to the crowd, and said "I can only be as good as you f--king people let me." Interesting...

There was a fistfight at the concert. At a benefit concert raising awareness and informing people about non-violence, there was a damn fight in the pit in front of the stage. Ed apparently knew this, referring to it before starting "Brain of J", holding up a cup and saying something close to, "This is to all the intelligent people out there. You know who you are. With the exception of two a--holes, I think this goes to everybody." Then he started to introduce "Brain" by saying, "Mike plays the beginning of this next song," when he was struck in the hand by a bottle, spilling some of his drink on himself. He took in stride, saying, "Thanks, now I spilt on myself," and "Brain of J" started up.

After "Brain", there was some confusion between the band about which song to play next, Jeff and Mike ran off stage and changed guitars, and Ed was running around to everybody, talking to Matt and Jeff, before returning to the mic to explain what was up: "We're trying to decide which song to play....if a band has problems figuring out what they going to play, imagine what it's like for big countries to make decisions." And then they broke into "Even Flow", which drove the crowd nuts. Everybody knew this one, and were jumping around singing. It was crazy to look around the floor, and see nothing but people, for as far as you could see, jumping around and singing the same song. Must be scary up on stage. But whatever.

"Given To Fly" was next, which was a break for some people from "Even Flow". It was nicely done, nothing particularly different about it. "Wishlist" followed. This was pretty cool. It got very quiet as they reached the end of the recorded version, and when everybody started cheering, they fired up and threw another verse on there. It was pretty cool.

The last song of the set was "Better Man", before which Eddie damn near gave a speech. He said, "Some a--hole asked me today, 'Do you really think a concert like ths matters? Do you think anybody cares about anything other than the music?' I said, 'F--k the people." We already have your money. The money made over the last two days will keep the organization [Milarepa] running for a year, or even two." Then he went on to say that it's very important that everyone attend the protest on the Capitol lawn tomorrow, and that the next song was dedicated to the country, and our government, "Can't find a better man." The place went nuts. The song itself, was great. I don't particularly care for "Better Man" that much. I like it, but I don't care if they play it or not. But yesterday, they ripped it up. They stretched what's usually the end part out, into a nice jam, with the four of them just jumping around, pounding on their guitars. It was a great moment, and I think the highlight of their set.

In all, a great little set by PJ, as is typical. Can't wait for this tour to start.