Set List to be confirmed: Long Road, Brain of J., Last Exit, Animal, Pilate, Lukin, Corduroy, In My Tree/Magic Bus, Wishlist, Do The Evolution, Jeremy, Hail Hail, Daughter/Pebbles, Off He Goes, Small Town, Hunger Strike, Not For You, Faithfull, Alive; 1st Encore: Given To Fly, Go, State of Love & Trust, Smile, Even Flow 2nd Encore: I Am A Patriot, Better Man, Yellow Ledbetter

Natasha Creed (natasha@upnaway.com)
This was my 3rd Pearl Jam show and what a bloody fantastic show this was. The other shows were fabulous but this one blew the other two away, literally. I got to the front of the stage at 8:52pm. Last night I recorded the show but tonight being in mosh I didn't think bringing a tape recorder in would be very wise. Now I wish I did. The set was 2hr 15 min long with a killer set list of 27 songs. During the whole set I was up against the front of the barricade at the right side of the stage and was just metres away from the band....from Eddie. Me at a Pearl Jam gig - perfect view - quite comfortable Geez , I was lucky! I was getting worried about getting hammered in the mosh. As soon as" the Colour Red" music began I thought I was going to go into cardiac arrest. The thought of being this close.....I just sipped my water and told myself to calm down

By the end of this Australian tour I think we pretty much know Eddie's fav song. I've heard him say it's his favourite but on stage you just know it......."Do The Evolution" BABY. During this he goes crazy - like S.N.L '92. This is always a highlight. I totally love his rough, powerful angry voice....screaming at the top of his lungs...getting it all out..... bounces around the stage going wild......Phew! Also, Wishlist, I think, is another fav of his ...it's a message to the fans from him...when I first heard it on cd what he was saying deeply moved me People kept chucking sheets of material at Eddie. One he held up saying something like "Thank you for coming to Perth" and he wrapped it around his shoulders...then placed it around the drumkit.

During the outro to In My Tree I think Mike stuffed up or something I'm not sure but they were laughing and mucking around....then he blasted into an amazing solo and said some stuff in the mic but I couldn't really hear it.

Jeremy was big, man, totally big. To see Eddie in close view go "woo woo woo woo" at the end of that magnificant meaningful song was a legendary moment.

Off He Goes was next -made my day, such a beautiful song, his voice could calm a storm...the sunshine to a black day...love it ...love it. Elderly Woman was next and I worship this song. After Eddie was laughing and telling us that it's supposed to go longer than that and that he played it too damn fast.

Someone requested Hunger Strike from the Temple of the Dog days. I couldn't believe it. Spine tingling is that voice in that song...Faithfull hit me and Alive - I think maybe Eddie blasted into Alive to liven up the crowd cos he signaled to Jeff and Stone as if to go "Alive?" as the intro begin Eddie was beaming his face off......totally in happy land....this was the highlight in regards to the crowd and band connecting. Just picturing this in my mind and going back I get the shivers. The crowd went totally, totally ballistic. The people going over the barrier piled up in droves. Eddie bounded around, doing his moves and just tore the place to pieces. It's exhausting thinking about it.

I'm not sure in what song but one guy wacked his head on the railing as he was coming over and Eddie jumped down to check if he was okay. I started to get excited cos I thought he was gonna come down and shake hands and mingle. My hand was ready sticking out over the edge - punching the air. When Eddie looked over to us, I jumped really high and waved my fuckin' arm off. He put his hand up to us lot at the side at one point. I went mad doing my usual....in my room or here I did my stuff alright!!

1st encore - Given to Fly - this is such a magical song and has got to be a highlight...when the guitar does its thing, when he goes Fly....high...god I love it so fuckin' much. I could hear that piece all day ...so powerful....uplifting. Go was next...I was very happy!!! State of Love & Trust - I'm really pleased about that I got to live it fully. In Adelaide when they played that one I was too busy roaming through the crowd trying to find a lost friend & missed it.

As soon as Stone got on that bass and Jeff on guitar I knew Smile was next. I get so much joy from that song...the number of times I've flown across my bed to that..

Now Even Flow was next. Pearl Jam are such a team... matee. During this song a guy suddenly appeared on stage. He did a massive leap from the side seats and over their waiting guitars in a rack and darted on the stage so quick. Then the security came in and he skidded off the stage in such a rush smashing into the fence. He ran past me and went into the crowd. The men caught up with him and dragged him back past me saying" You're coming with us. We've got to report you...blah blah blah..." This caught Eddie's attention and he looked concerned for the lad and ran to the edge of the stage and ended up standing on a block right above me. I couldn't believe it. One metre away. I see his face directly above me so close and I couldn't believe it. This was " Eddie Vedder" and I'm looking him in the face. The crowd behind me went mad and this girl in my ear the whole night... "I love u Eddie. I love u Eddie. ahhhhh!!ahhhh!!!!" I mean please. Who the hell doesn't under this roof?

Eddie then walked to the other block on the left side of the stage and sat down and sang the rest of Even Flow. I mean if only he did that on our side. I figure he's right handed so it's only natural for him to head to the left side of the stage. Well, that's my theory!!!

They left the stage and I truly thought that it was over but the house lights did not go on!!! When he came back on for a third time...I couldn't believe my eyes. More? What a great guy!

Eddie did this thing were everyone repeats the sound he does and that was pretty funny, the whole crowd participating. He came out solo with his guitar and played a beautiful version of "I am a Patriot" Everyone was clapping along but too fast and soon Eddie had to stop cause it was out of time with this slow touching song. Soon the whole house is clapping real loud and fast and he just stops and listens ..eventually it dies down and he begins again... an awesome Better Man follows.

After this the crowd just couldn't let go...neither could Eddie. He was having the time of his life. He chatted about how in Seattle you CAN terminate a pregnacy and I knew he was gonna say something about this because of the rallies over here on this issue. Then he spoke about how he noticed W.A is like W.A for seattle and that Seattle should be in Western Australia.

The final song was Yellow Ledbetter..my all time favourite. This eased the crowd down and made it easier to part. Ah! Bless him. My final glimpse of Eddie was the big smile across his face he had when he left the stage with his book under his arm. I'll always have that image in my mind My final glimpse...Jeff waved as he left and me being a drummer, I didn't see Jack at all cause of the equipment on stage and that was a bit disappointing. Jack is doing a fantastic job up there. He should get more credit. He is an amazing drummer. End of story.

I must add that Pilate was played also I think that's the first time. I was thrilled and I guess Stone was too.

If you wanna hear about the backstage stuff read on: After the show a group of people waited at the back door I was there in the rain and cold for one hour.The drummer guy or Kev from Shudder To Think came out and spoke to us. He was really nice ...incredibly nice. Then Stone came out and I saw him for about 5 min before getting in a van and taking off. He wouldn't come over to us... shyly waved and got in....Apparently Eddie was backstage with a group of 20, 30, 40 fans getting photos and autographs. One girl came out with her group and ran up to us saying, "I got a photo with Eddie, I sat between his legs." and her shirt had the band's signatures all over it. Eddie let one photo per fan and everyone came out with pen all over their tour shirts. My question is how did these fans get the privilege to meet them. Maybe I should have found out more....oh well....too late now. It was coming to 1:00 am... all of a sudden a white van zooms past us and the security guys say. "Sorry guys but that was Eddie, he's gone"........talk about sneaky!!!!

I am now currently in the post -Pearl Jam live experience and I'm getting over the fact that it's all over for possibly another 3 years. This time last night I was waiting at the back door in the rain. so it is well and truly over.

If anyone wants a copy of the first Perth show, the 19th, email me.....it's not crash hot...but when loud or on headphones you're really there man. The down side was that I was sitting with a bunch of screaming girls.....Pearl Jam LIVE PLUS the WOO GIRL, that's what I call it. ..but it's up to you.

Since March '95 seeing Pearl Jam again is all I've thought about . It was a long wait -but my dream finally came true 3 times I am one hell of a happy person at the moment. The dictionary does not possess any word to describe how fantastic and fuckin' brilliant this show was. I've read the whole book. Nothing...absolutely nothing can describe it. It's all inside you.