Set List: Corduroy, Hail Hail, Brain of J., Faithfull, Red Mosquito, Wishlist, Even Flow, MFC, Habit, Better Man, Jeremy, Given To Fly, Daughter, Black, In Hiding, Do The Evolution, Last Exit; Encore: Once, Smile, Yellow Ledbetter

Elsa Ayala (twistspin@hotmail.com):

A True Test of New Resolve

Yes, I am a mainlander too. However, I have for years abstained from attending rock concerts of any size due to the violent, obtrusive and dangerous tendency of crowd behavior. This factor would hopefully be eliminated in Maui. .wrong . . : (

Although, I stepped into a position at the front right stage, before Mudhoney's performance, deluding myself only temporarily, I found that once Mudhoney began to play, the crowd in the center front began moshing and passing bodies forward over the center front barricade causing the security guards to begin escorting people off the stage in rapid succession. This was a blatant violation of the request of Pearl Jam promoters and Maui Arts and Cultural Center security. I felt my abhorrence for this type of reckless disregard, well up inside me. I had already experienced one disappointment when the security guards prohibited me from bringing my tape recorder into the concert. Now the moshing crowd took on the form of a of a potential disaster about to unfold. I started to worry about what their effect would be on the group I had come to see. The one that I had come to cherish dearly. My anxiety was quelled, somewhat, because of the new friends I had made in my little squash area up front. Such sweet people. They had attended one of the Rolling Stones concerts with Pearl Jam this past November. They warned me that the moshing would get much worse when Pearl Jam came on. I positioned myself close to the fire exit lane established by security. I let go of the foolish hope that it could ever be as sweet as the Brad concert I attended in Raleigh. Now that was wonderful. What more could I hope for and I will always remember how I stood directly under Stone's foot pedal board and watched Stone play just inches away from me, frequently exchanging glances . .. in between. . . .divine . . ..But not here, not now. . .. : (

Sure enough, the mosh pit tested the security guards' athletic endurance by passing a seemingly continuous stream of bodies forward over the barricade. These same factors seemed to feed the moshers lust. Initially it seemed comic but quickly became annoying. To me this type of behavior is distracting to the artists and the crowd who is there to hear and see the concert. What to speak of safety? I tried to deal with this nonsense by praising the artists of Mudhoney for being able to continue and by marveling at the security guards for keeping up with it. But the atmosphere was already spoiled for a wondrous performance by Pearl Jam. I sensed that the band would be very disappointed that this customary mode of rock concert crowd participation was dashing any hope of establishing the more desirable intimate setting that was anticipated to happen in Maui. I know I was.

Emotions were high as Pearl Jam hit the stage and began the show with the familiar crescendo to Corduroy. It was so ecstatic to see Eddie Vedder (Eddie Veda to me) for the first time and armed with his guitar. As Pearl Jam played on however, I noticed Eddie was singing while he seemed to become preoccupied by the bodies being dumped over the barrier in front of him. After the first song, I informed my new squashing friends that I couldn't stand this situation and I was heading out as soon as possible. I watched Eddie and the guys perform up close as my body was being pushed and shoved. This feeling of being squashed from all sides was gross! It was so totally revolting for me, that I began planning my retreat throughout the first two songs, which were actually fabulous!!! Hearing 'Corduroy,' live and then 'Brain of J,' from Yield. The crowd responded by pushing, shoving and moshing more violently. This was enjoyment???? We were all having trouble standing on our own feet at this point. My new friends begged me to 'hang in there,' but this was no place for me. I am the type who wants to enjoy the music of a concert performance. So I rapidly exited the stage front with the crowd parting enough for me as I bid my new friends good bye while they yelled to the crowd around me, "Let her through! Let her through!"

While scurrying through the thickness of the crowd, I heard the guys finish 'Hail Hail,' in a loving rendition. Then I heard Eddie say, "Now, I hope you can make yourself more comfortable." I couldn't help but look back at him wondering if he had noticed my narrow escape from the front. ..Generally, I think he must have been totally infuriated by the insanity there. It was one thing to have this at large venues, but in Maui . .. . He must have become compelled to try to put a stop to it. Kind of like Tommy, the Pinball Wizard, but what could be done to control the reaction of the disillusioned campers?

Why this? Even nice people are compelled to destroy the concentration of such brilliant artists as Pearl Jam by exhibiting this kind of anarchy. ("kama esha krodha esha . . .It is lust alone, Oh Arjun . .the all-devouring iniquitous foe . . ." -K. from B.G. as it is). Ah, that's right . ..but let's start a new trend and put an end to this kind of concert activity!!! Yah right . . . . .well, at least we can add it to the good Wish List!

Yes, this concert was turning out to be a true test of the new resolve of Eddie, Stone, Mike, Jeff and Jack. Affectionately, I like referring to them as 'the guys.' The collective entity of Pearl Jam. Once I found a new spot to stand where I could breath and move to the beat of the music and look at the band, I began to get into it!! So what if I sacrificed a close view for my own safety and well being. I was fine now, but I could hear and see how purely disappointed Eddie was becoming with the problems up front. It seemed as though his plans were foiled. I wondered again, how fans could be so insensitive. Then I heard the voice repeat to me again. .."It is lust, alone . ..."

Now I know how difficult it is for the average person to truly appreciate the depth of this group's music. This seems to be the case with fans that were missing the treasures of No Code, which to me is pure nectar. There were some moments after 'Hail, Hail,' where I felt helpless for I noticed that although, Eddie was doing his utmost to perform, he was having also to expend precious energy on 'diplomacy' to change the reckless attitude of the crowd. I could see that success in that effort was as likely as the probability of taming the raging wind. Yet, I was very deeply touched by his desire to somehow influence them to behave for the sake of the Whole!

The guys were marvelous in themselves, yet somehow there was a feeling that they were somewhat disconnected, since Eddie was having to deal with this ultimate frustration. Yet the guys went on with the show. I wanted to let Eddie in particular, know that his desire to please us, despite the obstacles to the perfection of this event, was what really made all the difference in the three worlds. His attempts to calm the crowd by playing 'Faithfull,' from Yield, an ingenious mellow/rocking/mellow transcendental love song, worked for a few moments. He even made a public service announcement to get the crowd to move back and restore the barrier they had broken at center stage. Next I remember the band playing 'Wishlist,' with Eddie showing great concern, still being somewhat distracted. The band rallied to keep focus. The guys were being challenged seemingly here again by some of the demons that haunt them in their world position as 'Rock Avatars.' This makes it easy to see why they would wish to 'let go,' of the name we gave them.

Eddie stepped off to the side between lyrics, several times, to speak to the stage manager. I imagined he was concerned about how to resolve the problems distracting the band's performance, I couldn't help but empathize. It was so moving to hear Jeremy performed. Even more was the humorous way Eddie gestured and emphasized the lyric, "seemed a harmless little fuck!" I love this!! Some harmless little levity, little fuck. . . Could this somehow still be considered a treasured experience, the way we all were hoping it would be? It might be hard to say, when after the song, he apologized and said "I didn't do that one so good. You know, I just wanted this to be so perfect. I was thinking about this concert for so long, this concert here in Maui. But I promise you this next song will be perfect." I wanted to hug him for telling us what he was feeling. I did so in my mind. I could see that he was really trying to muster his inner strength, even though he was pissed off at the circumstances. I sensed that he really wanted just to walk off the stage and not come back. He might prefer to go find a four foot wave and ride it away from us. I could hardly blame him and I know I would still love all of them if he did do that!!

Pearl Jam began 'Given to Fly,' their latest awe inspiring single. That song was performed more perfectly than perhaps the band is aware of. I felt certain that despite the problems with the offenders in the crowd, a certain SomeOne was listening with rapt attention and surely was very pleased with this band's performance. It is not easy to renounce control in this situation. As the concert continued, it appeared that Eddie became more disgusted yet determined to rise above. He bolstered himself and sang a solo, unplugged type interlude to a No Code cut. I had never heard this before but the words he sang hit home!!! The lyrics described the soul and he sang "All we need is our souls." This was so ecstatic! While I was applauding for this Pearl Jam blasted off into , 'Present Tense.' Perfect for this very moment, I would say so!!! As far as things that really mattered were concerned, this concert was perfect in all the right ways. The majority could still benefit despite things being beyond them. To further exemplify this band's love for the fans they attract, for the moshers, Eddie seemed to abandon his distaste and let 'Even Flow' rip!!!! Of course this further agitated them, but by this point it didn't matter anymore.

Pearl Jam, I've understood, is not an ordinary rock band. Their developed awareness of spiritual matters is exquisitely reflected throughout their songs. Had there been a prominent reciprocation within members of the crowd that acknowledged this, perhaps then Eddie would have been grinning instead of swallowing rage. A valiant effort and a show of concern is rare. Most rock bands would never even try to stop moshing. Instead he was inviting all to come back Saturday night again! Selfishly, I said to myself. "No Eddie, I hope they leave and just a few of us show up tomorrow night!!! Wouldn't you just love that?" This would never happen. . . .unless that band secretly performs under a name like The Honking Seals again. Oh if only I was fortunate enough to be there when that happened!!!

After finishing the set with power hits like Better Man, Daughter, Black, Once, and the Neil Young influence from No Code, 'Smile' and new acutely transcendental Yield cuts like 'In Hiding' and 'Do The Evolution,' the band did 'Last Exit' and got ready to finish the main set list. Surely, with feelings of regret, they exited the stage. I was worried that Eddie would not come back on to do any encores. But they did return and left us with the Vedder/McCready masterpiece, 'Yellow Ledbetter.' One of my very favorites, of which I still don't know the lyrics, but, as some of the avid Pearl Jammers might say affectionately, 'What the fuck? Does it make any fuckin' difference?'

"No!" I say. "Bravisimo!!!! Pearl Jam!!!! More, Forever, MORE!!! See you tomorrow night!! Until then, catch some great waves!!!!"

I say a prayer now that Pearl Jam will not let anything destroy their new resolve. Dearest guys in Pearl Jam, I praise your renewed conviction to being "WHO YOU ARE!"

With All My LOVE!!!! and RESPECT, I wish you infinite PEACE and contentment within yourselves!!!!!! -Elsa within the OM