Set List: Long Road, Hail Hail, Brain of J., Last Exit, Given To Fly, Corduroy, MFC, new Jeremy (part), Immortality, Even Flow, Nothingman, Rearviewmirror, Wishlist, In Hiding, Spin The Black Circle, Alive, Go; 1st Encore: (Clinton speech), Better Man (dedicated to Hillary Clinton)/(Don't Bring Me Down), Daughter, Do The Evolution, Leaving Here; 2nd Encore: Yellow Ledbetter

Douglas L. Moon (dougmoon@iquest.net)

"be like rock stars not like the president."

This was my second Pearl Jam show in my lifetime, my first being the St. Louis show earlier in July, and possibly more memorable for the events that unfolded earlier today. This Pearl Jam concert will exist in my mind as one of those that fits the question "where were you when...?" Eddie and the boys did a great job of keeping fresh in our minds that the President of the United States had testified before a grand jury for r the first time on matters of a sexual nature.

Ed and the boys were fresh from a well deserved break, and were having a great time and interacting with the audience well during the show. They were putting a lot of fresh energy into EVERY song and made me like each one equally. The crowd was psyched for by great renditions of Rearviewmirrow, Brain of J, and Do the Evolution. A mosh pit even erupted on the lawn during Evenflow.

The reminders of this day and the Clinton scandal emerged when Eddie pointed out a sign that someone was holding that said; Eddie Lewinsky. Then the boys began part of Jeremy, but it wasn't the sweet little Jeremy that we all know and love, it began slowly and ominously. It turned out to be a very short Jeremy, just a repetition of the chorus with altered lyrics; "president spoke in class today..."

The next reminder came after the traditional break about 2/3 the way through the set when Eddie came back out and said they had something to show us. Immediately flashing on the backdrop is a video segment of President Clinton addressing the nation from just minutes before, complete with audio. This must have been courtesy of the same projection setup to air the Todd McFarlane animation earlier in the tour. After that Eddie began to talk to us, and pulled the transcript of the speech out of his little red notebook of tricks, and began reading it to us. This was all new news to us who\o had been inside the venue for a show that began at 7:30 p.m. local time (8:30 EDT). Following a varied, but loud crowd reaction Eddie said "this is for them," and they began Betterman. The lyrics conjured images of what Monica Lewinsky must have been thinking until afterward when Eddie proclaimed "that was for hillary!" That's the most appropriate song dedication I think I've ever heard!

I was glad to hear Leaving Here performed for the first encore. It's a song I've never hear live, and it made my friend Rachel ultra happy. The best tune of course was the great Yellow Ledbetter to close the show. Mike was on fire all night, and Stone's solos were rock solid. Matt amazed me in St. Louis earlier in the tour, and proved his consistency tonight. Matt's fills are golden. Jeff was all over the stage tonight like a big kid. I think Eddie smiled tonight more then I've seen him smile in even years total. It's obvious these guys love their job, and hopefully they become like great artists like The Rolling Stones, Clapton, and Jimmy Page and Robert Plant in their ability to keep rocking for a long time, and to stay creative for many years.

Eddie ended the first encore with this quote: "be like rock stars, not like the president." If that means being true, passionate, and making each show or each day count, then those are words to live by. If you label Pearl Jam as "rock stars" then those are definitely words to live by!

Ryan (daveddie@fuse.net)
Wow. Tonite's show is the first of 8 in the next 27 days for me. Not too sure how much better it can get from here. Pearl Jam is amazing. Started the show with Long Road, excellent opener. Then tore into Hail, Hail, the crowd began to work itself into a frenzy. I do not remember the exact set list from there, too intense to keep track. Definite highlights were Given To Fly, Rearviewmirror, Corduroy, and Go with strobe lights. This is my third time seeing Pearl Jam and they just seem to get better. The guys were all smiling and jumping around way more than they used to. They seemed thrilled to be in Indy.

The highlight of the night, however, was what took place before the 1st encore. Eddie came out with a notebook of some kind and addressed the crowd. He asked that the video be cued. On the backdrop behind the stage was President Clinton, believe it or not. Everyone started booing. It was video of Mr. Clinton talking about the scandal. The video was brief. Eddie then began to read what I guess was the transcript of what Mr. Clinton had to say today to the American people in his televised speech. He read bits and pieces of his apology and explanation. When Eddie was finished reading it, he said, "i just have one word.........consensual." He added, "this one's for mrs. clinton". Under the spotlight he began Better Man. How fitting I guess. The crowd went nuts. This was something that I never expected to see, nor will I expect to see ever again.

During Alive, Eddie shook hands with nearly everyone in the front row, it was awesome. Pearl Jam truly cares for the fans, and gives an A effort everytime they take the stage. Well, until Cleveland, see you all later. Thank you Pearl Jam for the 12th row floor seats for the first ever Madison Square Garden show with Ben Harper. Unbelievable.