Set List:Of The Girl, Hail Hail, Breakerfall, Whipping, Corduroy, Animal, Small Town, Dissident, Given To Fly, Faithfull, Even Flow, Untitled, MFC, Light Years, Off He Goes, Insignificance, Black, Jeremy, Porch/(It's OK);
encore: Wishlist, State of Love and Trust, Go, Better Man/(Save It For Later), Daughter/(Wrong Child), Smile, Rearviewmirror

Photo credit: Kamikaze23

The opening band SuperGrass did an excellent job of braving the cold as well and delivering a decent set of music. They flew through their set though, but I can't say that I blame them :) I pondered a few times myself the question "What the f**k am I doing out here freezing my ass off...teeth chattering...4 layers of clothes...and still totally numb?"...until Pearl Jam took the stage...THEN I REMEMBERED WHY!! :D

Of The Girl came first and sounded superb!! Just beautifull!! I was surprised at how solid the music was given the weather and all...My fingers were frozen and I just can't imagine having to be up there playing my guitar!! Ed was right on when he said "Welcome to the Ice Bowl"...NO SHIT!!! Anywho, I was thrilled to hear Hail,Hail...it rocked!! Breakerfall was one of the meanest versions of that song I've heard yet...STOMPIN'! Whipping was amazing...it was excellent to hear that song and for 3 minutes I forgot I was frozen :) Corduroy was good...Ed threw in something to the effect of being too fucking cold to sing..or too fucked up...Maybe he had too many of those red wine snow cones ;D He said the wine he was drinking was the coldest wine he ever drank & this show was the coldest show they ever played...last time it was too hot and now this time he said it was too cold! Right on with accuracy on both counts!!! Some definite highlights were hearing Faithfull...Off he Goes...Go :)! Mike displayed exquisite technique during Even Flow and I was blown away, but even more so during Black. I silently absorbed every ounce of passion & intensity being shared and for those few moments...eyes closed...my soul set aflame and the warmth was...purrfect ;) "Untitled" was amazing...the whole tone of it was incredible. Ed sang so beautifully..I had a tear force its way into my eye :(:::: I don't know why...the whole lyric change about not having to ask for forgiveness...etc...is what did it. Too bad we all can't be scooped up in 23 minutes or so and free.....MFC followed and kicked ass big time. I am so impressed with Ed's guitar playing these days... he has drastically improved and is getting damn good. Keep it up ;D

My brother got his wish of hearing State of Love and Trust...and although I am particularly fond of that song...it wasn't as powerful as it should have been...but the band were human popsicles along with the rest of us and I know it would've been better if it weren't so cold!! During Jeremy Ed was balancing between the stage and the barricade and my brother will forever cherish his photo of Ed above him...he'll probably sleep with it under his pillow for an eternity :O

My favorite was hearing Smile. I smiled more during that song than I have all year long and I wish my face could have frozen that way!! Ed told everyone how Dennis Frog was involved with the inception of that song and went on to say that he receives about two thirds of a penny each time No code sells...saying No Code only made about twenty bucks...two hundred....2,000 :) It was funny but it reminded me just how overlooked that brilliant record was :(:::: Still...Smile made me do just that and it felt great :) Watching Jeff shred on his bass was awesome too!! I was mesmerized!! I didn't even notice Ed at first standing there watching too. Someday maybe I'll be that good!!!....The smile was washed away after though when the band finished up with a rocking performance of Rearviewmirror....Why do all good things have to end?? :( The band said goodbye...and rushed off to warm up while Ed said his goodbyes...thanked everyone...told em all he loved em...and said he was looking forward to seeing everyone in Chicago....ME TOO :) Speaking of Chicago...it's almost time to go to the show :D

Peace...Love...Music....
kamikaze23@intimatefire.com