Set List: Sometimes, Last Exit, Brain of J., Hail Hail, Given To Fly, In Hiding, Interstellar Overdrive into Corduroy, Go, MFC, Wishlist, Rearviewmirror, Pilate, Alive, Spin The Black Circle, Off He Goes, Even Flow, Daughter/(Mother by John Lennon)/(Monkey Gone To Heaven by Pixies), Mankind, Do The Evolution; Encore: Jeremy, Immortality, Better Man/(Save It For Later), Sonic Reducer w/Murder City Devils

Photo credit: MORRmike@aol.com

Melissa De Leon:
This show rocked! It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life! The Murder City Devils were okay, but we were all waiting for Pearl Jam. A few people screamed, and at once, the whole stadium joined them, echoing this beautiful rush of noise. It was amazing, the energy was coming at you from all sides, and from within, it was overwhelming. Finally over the speakers, the dot song (untitled) starts playing. Everyone just KNEW, and as one body, rose to their feet, looking in every possible place the band might come out of. The lights dimmed and you could see their silhouettes against the candlelit background as the band took their places. Then the lights came up and Eddie started right into Sometimes. The crowd went nuts. THIS is what they were here for, and you could see it in the face of every person there.

Pearl Jam went on and played all of our favorite songs. Eddie would stop and take a drink from his wine bottle every now and then. Around the sixth song, a crazy half-naked figure jumped onto stage and started dancing around as the crowd roared, thinking it was a fan who had escaped security. But as you looked closer, you realized it was none other than Eddie's old pal Dennis Rodman. Throughout most of the show Dennis sat on Jeff's red stool on stage, only getting up several times to yell at the crowd. Once, he grabbed Eddie, threw him onto his shoulders, and started jumping around. It was so funny watching Eddie being yanked up and down in the air while Rodman crashed around. Finally, Eddie flipped over backwards and jumped off.

When the band left the stage, the crowd came together in this incredible noise, their song of appreciation, it was unlike anything I'd ever heard in my life. The band came back out, and Eddie announced that they were going to play an old b-side. It was Jeremy. The place went wild. I think one of the highlights of the show was Mike's solo in Immortality. It was amazing, better than any guitar I have ever heard.

The band ended with Sonic Reducer, playing it with the Murder City Devils. It was a great night and no one wanted to leave, we were all hoping they might come back out, but we knew even if they didn't, what we had seen that night would stay in our best memories the rest of our lives.

After the concert, about two dozen of us waited for the band to come out to leave. We waited about an hour, first Rodman came out, dancing on a limo before climbing into an Explorer and leaving. Then we waited some more. Finally, the band came out, and climbed into a large white van. The guy next to me threw a book down to Eddie . The guards ignored it as we all screamed "Get the book!" I don't know if they ever picked up the book, because at that second, Eddie Vedder leaned out of the van, flashed us a smile and waved. We all knew he appreciated us, and even though we didn't get the autographs or pictures we had hoped for, that smile and wave was enough to leave us completely fulfilled.

David Hewitt (dhewitt@tamu.edu)
Let me tell you my weekend leading up the concert... I'm a student at Texas A&M, and I'm taking some classes this summer. I had my final exam the Thursday before the concert weekend so my mind was completely on Pearl Jam after that. I had to go the work Friday morning. I was like a zombie all day. I'm sure my boss thought that I was smoking crack or something. I got off at noon and I was on my way home to Dallas at 12:45. I put in Ten and proceeded to Jam my way through the discography!! I only made it through Vitalogy before I got home, so I would have to finish the Jam session when I got home.

It was the longest weekend of my life!! I thought Sunday would never come. I was itching with anticipation.

Sunday finally decided to show up and I was very thankful. I picked up my friend who was going to the concert with me around 5:30. We arrived at Reunion Arena at 6:00 and found out that we would have to go across the street to buy our merchandise. We made the walk across the street and stood in line for about 20 minutes and finally picked up our gear. (I got the red shirt and stickers and she got the "girly" shirt). We proceeded into the venue at 7:00 after putting our shirts in the car. Murder City Devils were just starting their set as we sat down.

The anticipation was killing me!! I don't know if it is physically possible, but I do believe that my stomach had turned itself upside down. I was so excited. PEARL JAM was in the building!!

As soon as I heard Jack's song I knew that it was on! Everybody was going nuts. It was freakin' INTENSE! By now my stomach had done a couple of flips and a cartwheel. WOW...my dream had finally come true!! I won't describe the set list, the others do a great job, but one song that absolutely rocked me was Corduroy...

"The waiting drove me mad...You're finally here and I'm a mess..."

I was SCREAMING that at the top of my lungs!! The waiting had in fact drove me mad...I've waited 7 years for this day to come. They were finally there and I was a total wreck...I've already described the condition of my stomach!!

It was an amazing experience to hear 20,000 fans singing at the top of their lungs to Alive, Jeremy, Even Flow and Better Man. I definitely need to get my hands on a copy of the show!!

I was not really surprised the Rodman showed up. I figured that he would be at the show, but I had no idea he would jump onto the stage. I've seen him around Dallas a few times. After the finals last year, I was at the Galleria Mall and saw him. I walked up to him with a pen and paper but he waved me away before I had the chance to say anything. Oh well. He provided some good entertainment but it got a little old after a while. But I didn't let it take away from my enjoyment of the music.

This was one of the greatest nights of my life. I will never forget it. Thanks PJ for fulfilling one of my dreams. Catch you on the next go around!!