Set List: Corduroy, Whipping, Hail Hail, Brain of J., Dissident, Even Flow, Jeremy, Given To Fly, Leatherman, In Hiding, State of Love and Trust, Daughter/Noise of Carpet, MFC, Better Man, Rearviewmirror, Black, Alive; 1st encore: Do The Evolution, Wishlist, I Got Shit, Footsteps, Spin The Black Circle, Go; 2nd encore: Baba O'Riley, Yellow Ledbetter

Connie (goltradr@mail.gti.net )
On the plane from New Jersey, I have to admit I was having some misgivings about using my valuable ten club tix to go to Seattle to such a huge venue. I had visions of being way up in the stands seeing five little specks instead of anyone recognizable. Could anything ever compare to seeing them front row in Maui, I wondered. But I figured it would be really cool to see the guys in their home town.

By the time John and I arrived at Memorial Stadium at around noon we were really psyched. We had been in Seattle since Saturday and had met with so many friendly people and were so impressed with the city that we were already fantasizing about transplanting from NJ to the Northwest.

When we finally got on the field we decided to try to do the front row thing again -- I was a little worried cause 4,000 people crushing into me in Maui was tolerable; 25,000 people seemed a bit unsettling (being short and female is not ideal criteria for the front).

Zeke came out -- I heard them play live on the Monkeywrench Radio broadcast in January. They were in top rocking form. They kept the intensity up for the entire set! Amazing!! Wallflowers were next and they were much better than I expected them to be (to be honest, I was skeptical). The crowd wasn’t as polite as they could have been, throwing popsicle sticks on the stage. (Although I have to admit it did provide a cool effect -- dozens of popsicle sticks arching toward the stage at the same time. Still...it wasn’t nice.)

The crowd intensity increased in the wait before Pearl Jam came out. Several time I questioned my own sanity for staying there...but I did. Finally the moment I have waited and traveled so far for arrived...

Eddie said “We’re home!” and they plunged into Corduroy -- what I’ve dubbed “the Maui version”. That’s where I first heard them put in that really cool break in the middle. It kind of grabs you and throws you into a whirlwind!!! GREAT!!!! I’m not exactly sure how long they played cause I wasn’t wearing a watch, but all I know is they covered most of the songs on my own wishlist: Corduroy, Given to Fly, State of Love & Trust, MFC, Rearviewmirror, Black, Yellow Ledbetter --- I was going nuts!!! John said he had chills when he heard Black -- Eddie was so caught up in the words! They closed with a powerful Baba O’Reilly and Yellow Ledbetter. John and I went back to our hotel tired, bruised but happy -- real happy!!! This was worth the trip -- I’m glad we came out to Seattle!

ShinyDawn0@aol.com
I know exactly what Eddie meant by the crowd was kinda stinky. Was it me or was their this odor...you have about 15,000 people smashed together on the floor in the hot sun (yeah it was hot and sunny in seattle) The crowd was really into I saw people getting tossed, dancing, jumping all over the place...people were throwing shit on the stage and Eddie was throwing some of it back and throwing other things too it was funny to watch :)....during Brain of J I saw the first mosser get into the amublance and go to the hostpital. I felt really bad for them who ever they were. During Alive this big yellow ballon that the crowd was playing with made it to the stage then Eddie ran to catch it and start bouncing it all over the stage and I think it got a light and popped.

There were no special guests, that was the rumor....It was either going to be Chris Cornell or Neil Young the rumorbin couldn't make up it's mind but who cares anyways I was there to see pearl jam and help those in need. Eddie also said how he didn't wanna get out of bed this morning cause it felt so good to be home and he said he had to come because we made plans. I am really glad he did get out of bed. Mike's guitar solos were like nothing I ever heard before it was like "DAMN!" It's amazing to watch because it's like everyone one stands still in time hearing this and as you watch the rest of the band too they are looking at him in the same way. My brother went with me and he doesn't like Pearl Jam and on the ferry back home he said it was the best concert he had ever been to. All I can say is you have got to see them on this tour.

Trent Mitchell
What can I say that hasn't been said already? Pearl Jam played their asses off last night. The energy that surrounds the band seems much more positive now, and their improved playing shows that. I saw them for a couple shows in Maui last February and they have really tightened up as a band which allows them to play that much looser. It's a joy to watch and listen to. My personal highlights included Whipping which I haven't heard in a long time, MFC which is just a great concert song, and Footsteps(quite an electric perfomance). I also enjoyed Baba O' Riley for the simple fact I hadn't heard in live yet. The crowd up front was mostly well behaved with people helping each other up and letting others tie their shoes etc., which is cool. I can't wait to see what pops up at tonight's show.